CVE-2026-74887
openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Insecure Random Import in PQC Module
Description
openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 imports Python's non-cryptographic 'random' module (Mersenne Twister PRNG) at line 15 of openssl_encrypt/modules/pqc.py. No direct calls to random.* were present in the code, so no cryptographic operation is currently affected; however, the import creates a hazard that future code could inadvertently use random.randint() instead of a cryptographically secure alternative (secrets/os.urandom), producing predictable values since the Mersenne Twister state can be recovered from approximately 624 outputs. Fixed by removing the import in 1.4.0.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 17, 2026, 11:16 a.m.
Last Modified :
Aug. 31, 2026, 3:49 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 | NONE | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | NONE | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | NONE | MITRE-CVE | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | LOW | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | CRITICAL | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | CRITICAL | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | MEDIUM | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update openssl_encrypt to version 1.4.0.
- Remove import of Python's 'random' module.
- Use 'secrets' or 'os.urandom' for randomness.
- Ensure future randomness uses secure methods.
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-2026-74887.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-cx72-m6xj-3vf6 | Mitigation Vendor Advisory |
| https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-insecure-random-import-in-pqc-module | 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-2026-74887 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-2026-74887
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-2026-74887 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-74887 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]
Aug. 31, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N 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-cx72-m6xj-3vf6 Types: Mitigation, Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-insecure-random-import-in-pqc-module Types: Third Party Advisory -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Aug. 28, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/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 Removed CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N Removed CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:N Added Reference https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-cx72-m6xj-3vf6 Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-insecure-random-import-in-pqc-module Removed Reference https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-cx72-m6xj-3vf6 Removed Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-insecure-random-import-in-pqc-module -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 18, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-74887', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'partial'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-18T14:38:11.935555Z'} -
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 before 1.4.0 imports Python's non-cryptographic 'random' module (Mersenne Twister PRNG) at line 15 of openssl_encrypt/modules/pqc.py. No direct calls to random.* were present in the code, so no cryptographic operation is currently affected; however, the import creates a hazard that future code could inadvertently use random.randint() instead of a cryptographically secure alternative (secrets/os.urandom), producing predictable values since the Mersenne Twister state can be recovered from approximately 624 outputs. Fixed by removing the import in 1.4.0. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:N Added CWE CWE-338 Added Reference https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-cx72-m6xj-3vf6 Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-insecure-random-import-in-pqc-module