CVE-2026-81698: openssl encrypt Command Injection — Fix

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.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

7.5

HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS — Exploit Prediction

0.0028

Probability of exploitation

0.21%

Percentile rank

EPSS estimates the probability that this vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. A higher score means more likely to be exploited.

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-78 OS Command Injection

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
jahlives	openssl_encrypt	< 1.4.9

References

Advisories & Patches

https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-gw2m-mj6q-59hc

Other References

https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-shell-injection-via-info-command

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-81698? +

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. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2026-81698? +

CVE-2026-81698 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 out of 10, rated HIGH. This is a high-severity vulnerability that should be prioritized for patching. The EPSS score is 0.0028, placing it in the 0th percentile for exploitation probability.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-81698? +

CVE-2026-81698 affects products from jahlives, specifically: openssl_encrypt. Check the affected products table above for specific version ranges.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2026-81698? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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