CVE-2026-81698 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Shell Injection via info command

Critical 9.3 Published 27 Aug 2026 Updated 1 Oct 2026

Attackers can execute arbitrary shell commands by crafting malicious metadata that is interpolated into a CLI block copied by users.

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

What is CVE-2026-81698?

CVE-2026-81698 is a critical command injection 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 contain a shell injection vulnerability in the info command's reconstructed CLI block that interpolates untrusted metadata fields without quoting. Attackers can craft metadata values like pepper_name containing shell commands that execute when users copy the printed CLI block into a shell.

Weakness: CWE-78

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-81698?

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-2026-81698?

Upgrade openssl-encrypt to 1.4.9 or later.

Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.

Is CVE-2026-81698 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-81698 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Jahlives Openssl Encrypt vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-gw2m-mj6q-59hc, GHSA-rcx3-xx7j-m3r9, PYSEC-2026-3776.