# CVE-2026-74878: openssl-encrypt: TOTP rate limiter is in-memory only , not shared across workers, lost on restart

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-74878-openssl-encrypt-totp-rate-limiter-is-in-memory-only-not-shared  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-17  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-74878 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-08-17

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 use an in-memory rate limiter for TOTP brute-force protection that is not shared across workers and is lost on server restart. Attackers can distribute authentication attempts across multiple server instances or retry immediately after a restart to bypass rate limiting protections.

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-2026-74878 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-74878 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-74878?** 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-2026-74878?** 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-2026-74878?** 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-2026-74878
- GHSA-h45m-mgcp-q388
- PYSEC-2026-3757

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