Vulnerability in Jahlives OpenSSL Encrypt

CVE-2026-81690

openssl-encrypt (pip package) before 1.4.9 contains a symlink-following flaw in its verify-usb v2 added-file allowlist scan. The scan enumerated the drive with rglob(), which in CPython does not descend into symlinked directories and treats the symlink as an ordinary directory, while O_NOFOLLOW on the hash side binds only the final path component. An evil-maid attacker with physical access to the removable drive could replace a tool-tree directory with a symlink to a copy containing byte-identical files plus a planted __pycache__/*.pyc file (which CPython loads in preference to recompiling the clean .py). The planted file is never enumerated, added_files stays 0, and verify-usb reports PASSED, resulting in code execution when the victim runs the portable install. Fixed in 1.4.9 (affects both 1.4.x and 1.5.x lines).

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 7.3 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-81690?
CVE-2026-81690 is a high-severity vulnerability in Jahlives OpenSSL Encrypt, classified under Improper Link Resolution Before File Access. CVSS score: 7.3/10. Published 2026-08-27.
How severe is CVE-2026-81690?
High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.3 out of 10.