CVE-2026-81691: openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Credential Leakage via Unvalidated Server URLs

Published Aug 27, 2026
·
Updated

opensslencrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to validate server URLs in login and registerwithemail functions, accepting unencrypted http:// URLs and unconfigured hosts. Attackers on the network path can intercept cleartext credentials including clientid, passwords, and JWTs to achieve full keyserver account takeover.

Affected Software

1 affected component
OpenSSL OpenSSL<1.4.9

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade openssl_encrypt to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 1.4.9
  2. Compensating control

    Ensure server URLs passed to the login and register_with_email functions use encrypted transport (avoid accepting unencrypted http:// URLs) and only allow validated, properly configured hosts to prevent cleartext credential interception on the network path.

Event History

Aug 27, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·02:50 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:50 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·05:20 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Who is exposed to credential interception?

Deployments using openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 are exposed when the login or register_with_email functions connect to an unencrypted http:// server URL or an unconfigured host. An attacker positioned on the network path can intercept the transmitted credentials.

2

What access does an attacker need to exploit this issue?

The attacker needs a position on the network path between the affected client and server. No privileges or user interaction are required according to the supplied severity vector.

3

What information can be exposed, and what is the impact?

Cleartext client_id values, passwords, and JWTs can be intercepted. The advisory states that these credentials can enable full keyserver account takeover.

4

What configuration should be checked while awaiting an update?

Review server URLs used by login and register_with_email and identify any http:// endpoints or unconfigured hosts. Avoid sending credentials through those endpoints until the affected component is updated to a version that addresses the issue.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
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Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
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