CVE-2026-81703: Improper Authentication in jahlives openssl_encrypt
Description
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to validate encryption status of embedded post-quantum private keys in file metadata. Attackers can craft files with unencrypted embedded PQC keys that decrypt under any password, bypassing authentication and producing attacker-chosen plaintext with false integrity verification.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.7high
Affected software
jahlives
openssl_encrypt
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability CVE-2026-81703 affects jahlives openssl_encrypt versions prior to 1.4.9. The component does not properly validate whether embedded post-quantum cryptography (PQC) private keys in file metadata are encrypted. As a result, attackers can create specially crafted files containing unencrypted PQC keys that decrypt successfully regardless of the password provided. This bypasses the intended authentication mechanism and allows attackers to produce plaintext data of their choosing with incorrect integrity verification, undermining the security guarantees of the encryption process.
Potential Impact
An attacker can bypass authentication controls by exploiting the failure to validate encryption status of embedded PQC keys, allowing decryption with any password. This leads to the possibility of attacker-chosen plaintext being accepted as valid with false integrity verification, compromising confidentiality and integrity of the encrypted data.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in jahlives openssl_encrypt version 1.4.9 and later. Users should upgrade to version 1.4.9 or newer to remediate this vulnerability. Patch status is confirmed by the affectedVersions data indicating versions before 1.4.9 are vulnerable.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-27T11:12:29.817Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a906bbaacd9273b4983a28a
Added to database: 08/27/2026, 16:54:18 UTC
Last enriched: 10/02/2026, 15:56:25 UTC
Last updated: 10/09/2026, 18:48:23 UTC
Views: 62
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