How severe is CVE-2026-81721?

CVE-2026-81721 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2026-81721 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (33rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-81721?

CVE-2026-81721 affects Jahlives Openssl Encrypt. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-81721?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2026-81721 published?

CVE-2026-81721 was published on 2026-08-27 and last updated on 2026-09-02.

CVE-2026-81721

CVE-2026-81721 is a high-severity vulnerability in Jahlives Openssl Encrypt with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-400.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v4: 8.7
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (33rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-400
Affected product: Jahlives Openssl Encrypt
Published: 2026-08-27
Last modified: 2026-09-02

Description

openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 fails to validate KDF cost parameters in encrypted file metadata and keystore headers, allowing attackers to trigger unbounded memory allocation. Attackers can craft malicious encrypted files declaring arbitrarily large Argon2, scrypt, or balloon KDF parameters to exhaust system memory and crash the process without authentication.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-81721?: openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 fails to validate KDF cost parameters in encrypted file metadata and keystore headers, allowing attackers to trigger unbounded memory allocation. Attackers can craft malicious encrypted files declaring arbitrarily large Argon2, scrypt, or balloon KDF parameters to exhaust system memory and crash the process without authentication.
How severe is CVE-2026-81721?: CVE-2026-81721 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-81721 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (33rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-81721?: CVE-2026-81721 affects Jahlives Openssl Encrypt. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-81721?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2026-81721 published?: CVE-2026-81721 was published on 2026-08-27 and last updated on 2026-09-02.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:jahlives:openssl_encrypt:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:*

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