CVE-2026-81685 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Text Injection via Recovery Slot Metadata

Critical 9.3 Published 27 Aug 2026 Updated 1 Oct 2026

Attackers can inject control characters into recovery slot metadata to forge warning text in the desktop GUI, deceiving users during file removal.

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

What is CVE-2026-81685?

CVE-2026-81685 is a critical 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 sanitize recovery-slot metadata in the desktop GUI, allowing attackers to inject control characters and line separators into the irreversible-removal confirmation dialog. Attackers can craft encrypted files with malicious slot identifiers containing bidi overrides or line-separator characters to forge warning text and deceive users during file removal operations.

Weakness: CWE-116

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-81685?

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-2026-81685?

Upgrade openssl-encrypt to 1.4.9 or later.

Is CVE-2026-81685 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-81685 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Jahlives Openssl Encrypt vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-49h2-qmcq-wvvc, GHSA-qp5w-w4gh-6jc5, PYSEC-2026-3793.