---
id: CVE-2026-81681
aliases:
  - PYSEC-2026-3791
  - GHSA-2jv6-qqfm-m46m
title: >-
  openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8 advertise a
  portable USB workspace as an 'Encrypted USB Workspace' with A…
summary: >-
  openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8 advertise a
  portable USB workspace as an 'Encrypted USB Workspace' with AES-256-GCM
  encryption and write a marker declaring the workspace encrypted, but the
  workspace direct…
severity: none
vendor: openssl-encrypt
product: openssl-encrypt
ecosystem: pip
affected:
  - openssl-encrypt < 1.4.9
patched:
  - openssl-encrypt 1.4.9
published: '2026-08-27'
updated: '2026-09-03'
source: OSV
sourceUrl: 'https://osv.dev/vulnerability/PYSEC-2026-3791'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-2jv6-qqfm-m46m
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-false-encryption-via-cleartext-storage
tags:
  - osv
  - pip
epss: 0.00172
epssPercentile: 0.05833
ingestedAt: '2026-09-03T19:32:11.942Z'
---

## Overview

openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8 advertise a portable USB workspace as an 'Encrypted USB Workspace' with AES-256-GCM encryption and write a marker declaring the workspace encrypted, but the workspace directory is actually stored in cleartext and the derived encryption key is never applied to it. A user who trusts the branding and places files in the workspace leaves them unencrypted on the removable media, so an attacker with physical access to the media can read the sensitive files. Fixed in 1.4.9, which seals the workspace into an authenticated AES-256-GCM vault.

## Affected packages

- `openssl-encrypt < 1.4.9`

## Remediation

Upgrade to a patched release:

- `openssl-encrypt 1.4.9`