Vulnerability DatabaseCVE-2026-74873
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CVE-2026-74873
Published:August 17, 2026
Updated:September 01, 2026
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.
Affected Packages
openssl-encrypt (PYTHON):
Affected version(s) >=0.2.2 <1.4.0
Fix Suggestion:
Update to version 1.4.0
Related Resources (6)
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-password-exposure-via-cli-argument
https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/commit/e78a3666e4592f3538adaaa6be8f5f04356174db
https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p
https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2026/74xxx/CVE-2026-74873.json
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-74873
https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt
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CVSS v4
Base Score:
8.7
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Attack Complexity
LOW
Attack Requirements
NONE
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Vulnerable System Confidentiality
HIGH
Vulnerable System Integrity
NONE
Vulnerable System Availability
NONE
Subsequent System Confidentiality
NONE
Subsequent System Integrity
NONE
Subsequent System Availability
NONE
Exploit Maturity
UNREPORTED
CVSS v3
Base Score:
5.5
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Attack Complexity
LOW
Privileges Required
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
NONE
Availability
NONE
Weakness Type (CWE)
Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information
CWE-214
Plaintext Storage of a Password
CWE-256
EPSS
Base Score:
0.23