# CVE-2026-81701: openssl_encrypt signature verification bypass via denylist

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81701-openssl-encrypt-signature-verification-bypass-via-denylist  
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-2026-81701 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-08-27

openssl_encrypt is a CLI tool for encryption and cryptographic key management. Versions before 1.4.9 use a flawed denylist to verify plugin signatures, allowing attackers to place unsigned malicious plugins in documented installation directories. When the tool runs (during list-plugins, encrypt, or decryption operations), it executes these malicious plugins with access to passwords, cryptographic keys, and plaintext data.

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-2026-81701 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81701 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-81701?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 27 August 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-81701?** 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-2026-81701 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-81701?** 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

The vulnerability is an improper cryptographic signature verification (CWE-347) in the _is_builtin_plugin function. The function uses a denylist approach, treating all files under the plugins/ directory as trusted built-ins except three specific subdirectories (user, community, official). This allows top-level plugins/*.py files and any unknown subdirectories to bypass signature verification, AST scanning, and TOCTOU hash pinning. The documented plugin installation path (plugins/ top-level) inadvertently bypassed the signature enforcement policy. An attacker can place an unsigned malicious plugin in the plugins/ directory (or any new subdirectory) and achieve arbitrary code execution when the CLI process handles encryption/decryption operations or lists plugins. Fixed in version 1.4.9 by switching to an allowlist model that only trusts known shipped built-in plugins; all user and third-party plugins now undergo full verification gates.

## Affected products

- openssl_encrypt openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-81701
- PYSEC-2026-3778

## Timeline

- 2026-08-12: disclosed: GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-wxx9-p55f-wm34 published
- 2026-08-27: advisory: CVE-2026-81701 assigned and published on NVD
- 2026-08-27: patched: Patch released in version 1.4.9 with allowlist-based plugin verification

## References

- [https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-wxx9-p55f-wm34](https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-wxx9-p55f-wm34)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-arbitrary-code-execution-via-unsigned-plugin](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-arbitrary-code-execution-via-unsigned-plugin)

## 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)