CVE-2026-74873
openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Password Exposure via CLI Argument
Description
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 expose passwords passed via the --password CLI argument in process listings accessible to all system users. Attackers can read process arguments through ps aux or /proc/[pid]/cmdline to retrieve plaintext passwords and keystore passwords.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 17, 2026, 11:16 a.m.
Last Modified :
Sept. 1, 2026, 3:29 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | MITRE-CVE | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update OpenSSL to version 1.4.0 or later.
- Avoid using the --password CLI argument if possible.
- Use alternative, more secure methods for password handling.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-74873.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p | Mitigation Vendor Advisory |
| https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-password-exposure-via-cli-argument | Third Party Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-74873 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-74873
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-74873 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-74873 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Sep. 01, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:jahlives:openssl_encrypt:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:* versions up to (excluding) 1.4.0 Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p Types: Mitigation, Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-password-exposure-via-cli-argument Types: Third Party Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-74873', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'yes'}, {'technicalImpact': 'partial'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-17T14:35:09.250477Z'} -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Aug. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'jahlives', 'product': 'openssl_encrypt', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '1.4.0', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '1.4.0', 'versionType': 'semver'}], 'packageURL': 'pkg:pypi/openssl_encrypt', 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}] Added Description openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 expose passwords passed via the --password CLI argument in process listings accessible to all system users. Attackers can read process arguments through ps aux or /proc/[pid]/cmdline to retrieve plaintext passwords and keystore passwords. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N Added CWE CWE-214 Added Reference https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-password-exposure-via-cli-argument