CVE-2026-74873 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Password Exposure via CLI Argument

What is CVE-2026-74873?

CVE-2026-74873 is a high-severity vulnerability in Jahlives Openssl Encrypt, published on 17 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 expose passwords passed via the --password CLI argument in process listings accessible to all system users. Attackers can read process arguments through ps aux or /proc/[pid]/cmdline to retrieve plaintext passwords and keystore passwords.

Weakness: CWE-214

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-74873?

3 open source packages ship an affected version, including openssl-encrypt. It affects 1 product.

Products include Jahlives Openssl Encrypt.

How do I fix CVE-2026-74873?

Upgrade openssl-encrypt to 1.4.0 or later.

Is CVE-2026-74873 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-74873 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Other vulnerabilities in Jahlives Openssl Encrypt

• CVE-2026-81680 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Authentication Bypass via Recovery Slot Removal Critical 9.3
• CVE-2026-81681 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 False Encryption via Cleartext Storage Critical 9.3
• CVE-2026-81685 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Text Injection via Recovery Slot Metadata Critical 9.3
• CVE-2026-81694 openssl-encrypt before 1.4.9 Output Injection via Unsanitized Filenames in verify-usb Command Critical 9.3
• CVE-2026-81695 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Terminal Injection via key_id Critical 9.3

All Jahlives Openssl Encrypt vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p, GHSA-jxvv-jp94-p77v, PYSEC-2026-3753.