# CVE-2026-81714: openssl-encrypt cryptographic signature verification bypass

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81714-openssl-encrypt-cryptographic-signature-verification-bypass  
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-2026-81714 · Severity: high · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-08-27

openssl-encrypt is a Python library for plugin signing and trust-anchor management. Versions 1.4.8 and earlier accept partial GPG key fingerprints during trust enrollment, allowing an attacker to forge a short (32-bit) key ID that collides with a legitimate key. Once enrolled, the attacker's key can sign malicious plugins that are trusted by the system, leading to arbitrary code execution through the ENFORCE signature policy.

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-2026-81714 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81714 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-81714?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7, 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-2026-81714?** 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-2026-81714 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-81714?** 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 flaw (CWE-347) in the enroll_trust_key function. It uses suffix-tolerant fingerprint matching instead of requiring exact full-fingerprint validation, allowing an operator to confirm only a short, forgeable GPG key ID. An attacker can generate a colliding key with the same short ID, enroll it as a trusted anchor, and use it to sign malicious plugins that pass validation under the ENFORCE policy. The attack requires operator interaction to confirm the fingerprint but exploits the partial-match acceptance to bypass key verification. Version 1.4.9 fixes this by enforcing exact full primary-key fingerprint matches (case-insensitive, whitespace-stripped) and rejecting partial confirmations.

## Affected products

- openssl-encrypt openssl-encrypt 0 to 1.4.8

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-81714
- PYSEC-2026-3799

## Timeline

- 2026-08-27: disclosed
- 2026-08-12: patched: Version 1.4.9 released with fix

## References

- [https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-xg52-638v-jc5m](https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-xg52-638v-jc5m)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-plugin-signing-trust-anchor-enrollment-bypass](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-plugin-signing-trust-anchor-enrollment-bypass)

## 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)