---
id: CVE-2026-81683
aliases:
  - PYSEC-2026-3792
  - GHSA-r8gw-6hfj-98jw
title: >-
  openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions 1.4.8 and earlier store
  an mTLS client private key in cleartext within a world-rea…
summary: >-
  openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions 1.4.8 and earlier store
  an mTLS client private key in cleartext within a world-readable (0644)
  SharedPreferences file via the desktop GUI's Settings screen 'combined
  certificate and …
severity: medium
cvss: 5.5
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'
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-2026-3792'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-r8gw-6hfj-98jw
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-plaintext-private-key-storage
tags:
  - osv
  - pip
epss: 0.00071
epssPercentile: 0.00038
ingestedAt: '2026-09-03T19:32:11.984Z'
---

## Overview

openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions 1.4.8 and earlier store an mTLS client private key in cleartext within a world-readable (0644) SharedPreferences file via the desktop GUI's Settings screen 'combined certificate and private key' PEM field. A local attacker with file system access can read the exposed private key. Version 1.4.9 writes the PEM to a dedicated 0600 file, keeps only its path in SharedPreferences, and migrates/scrubs existing cleartext values.

## Affected packages

- `openssl-encrypt < 1.4.9`

## Remediation

Upgrade to a patched release:

- `openssl-encrypt 1.4.9`