CVE-2026-81680 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Authentication Bypass via Recovery Slot Removal

Critical 9.3 Published 27 Aug 2026 Updated 1 Oct 2026

Attackers can bypass authentication in openssl_encrypt by removing recovery slots from file headers, silently eliminating recovery paths without re-encryption.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2026-81680?

CVE-2026-81680 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Jahlives Openssl Encrypt, published on 27 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 1.4.9 fail to authenticate recovery-slot presence in envelope-format encrypted files, allowing attackers to remove recovery slots without re-encrypting the payload. Attackers can modify the file header to delete recovery-slot fields and bypass authentication, silently removing recovery paths the owner deliberately added.

Weakness: CWE-347

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-81680?

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

Package	Affected	Fixed in
`openssl-encrypt` PyPI	All versions	`1.4.9`

Products include Jahlives Openssl Encrypt.

How do I fix CVE-2026-81680?

Upgrade openssl-encrypt to 1.4.9 or later.

Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.

Is CVE-2026-81680 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-81680 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Jahlives Openssl Encrypt vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-59ww-7vhf-hj2q, GHSA-grhj-cpmg-f5mx, PYSEC-2026-3957.