# CVE-2026-74876: openssl-encrypt's unverified key bundle from_dict() + to_identity() path allows encryption to attacker keys

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-74876-openssl-encrypt-s-unverified-key-bundle-from-dict-to-identity  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-17  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-74876 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-08-17

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain a vulnerability in PublicKeyBundle.from_dict() that creates key bundles from untrusted data without verifying signatures. Attackers can call from_dict() followed by to_identity() without signature verification to encrypt data using attacker-controlled public keys, leaking secrets.

Technologies: [Jahlives Openssl Encrypt](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/openssl-encrypt), [openssl-encrypt (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pypi-openssl-encrypt). Vendors: [Jahlives](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/jahlives), [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-74876 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-74876 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-74876?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 17 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** openssl-encrypt (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=1.4.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-74876?** Yes. openssl-encrypt (PyPI): upgrade to 1.4.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-74876?** Check whether you run Jahlives Openssl Encrypt or openssl-encrypt (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- openssl-encrypt (PyPI): upgrade to 1.4.0 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "openssl-encrypt>=1.4.0"
  ```


## Affected products

- Jahlives Openssl Encrypt
- openssl-encrypt (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=1.4.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-74876
- GHSA-8h88-gxp3-j7pg
- PYSEC-2026-3756

## Related threats

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