SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
Live Feed
Back to database
Case File

CVE-2026-81688

HIGH · CVSS 7.5 EPSS 0.20% Public Exploit

Source: NVD + CISA KEV + EPSS · Published 2026-08-27 · Last synced 2026-09-18

CyberRota Analysis

AI-Generated

OpenSSL versions prior to 1.4.9 are vulnerable due to the storage of an unkeyed SHA-256 hash of the plaintext in the cleartext file header metadata, allowing attackers to read this hash without requiring the password. This vulnerability enables offline confirmation of guessed plaintexts and the ability to fingerprint identical plaintexts across different encrypted files. Organizations using affected OpenSSL versions should prioritize patching to mitigate the risk of data exposure and unauthorized access.

Public Exploit Signal

A public exploit, PoC, GitHub repository or Metasploit reference was detected for this CVE.

GitHub PoC Links

Note: these links are listed for security research and verification purposes only.

CVE
CVE-2026-81688
Severity
HIGH
CVSS
7.5
EPSS
0.20%
OpenSSL

Original NVD Description

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 store an unkeyed SHA-256 hash of the plaintext in the cleartext file header metadata. Attackers can read this hash without the password to confirm guessed plaintexts offline or fingerprint identical plaintexts across separately-encrypted files.

Related CVEs

Other vulnerabilities affecting the same vendor(s)