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

> Attackers can read plaintext passwords from process listings when using the --password CLI argument in openssl_encrypt.

- **Severity:** High 8.7 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 17 Aug 2026
- **Updated:** 8 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p, GHSA-jxvv-jp94-p77v, PYSEC-2026-3753

## 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 (Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-74873?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `openssl-encrypt` | PyPI | All versions | 1.4.0 |
| `openssl-encrypt` | PyPI | All versions | 1.4.0 |
| `openssl-encrypt` | PyPI | All versions | 1.4.0 |

Products: 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](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-81680/): openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Authentication Bypass via Recovery Slot Removal (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2026-81681](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-81681/): openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 False Encryption via Cleartext Storage (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2026-81685](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-81685/): openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Text Injection via Recovery Slot Metadata (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2026-81694](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-81694/): openssl-encrypt before 1.4.9 Output Injection via Unsanitized Filenames in verify-usb Command (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2026-81695](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-81695/): openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Terminal Injection via key_id (critical 9.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-74873 and fix it if it is affected.

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

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- openssl-encrypt (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 1.4.0
- openssl-encrypt (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 1.4.0
- openssl-encrypt (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 1.4.0

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-74873/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-74873/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-74873
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-74873
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-74873

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-74873/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.