---
id: CVE-2026-81684
title: >-
  In openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8, the
  desktop GUI passes the steganography password to the CLI child process on the
  command line via the --stego-password argument (on both encrypt and decrypt
  paths) inst…
summary: >-
  In openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8, the
  desktop GUI passes the steganography password to the CLI child process on the
  command line via the --stego-password argument (on both encrypt and decrypt
  paths) inst…
severity: medium
cvss: 6.2
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'
cwe:
  - CWE-214
vendor: jahlives
product: openssl_encrypt
affected:
  - openssl_encrypt < 1.4.9
patched:
  - openssl_encrypt 1.4.9
published: '2026-08-27'
updated: '2026-09-03'
sourceUpdated: '2026-09-03T15:07:41.270'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-81684'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-rx2c-m92f-qv6p
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-information-disclosure-via-command-line
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
tags:
  - nvd
  - cve.org
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2026-08-27T18:24:06.748858Z'
ingestedAt: '2026-09-14T14:14:34.871Z'
epss: 0.00166
epssPercentile: 0.05175
---

## Overview

In openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8, the desktop GUI passes the steganography password to the CLI child process on the command line via the --stego-password argument (on both encrypt and decrypt paths) instead of via an environment variable as done for the main password. Any local user can read the steganography password from /proc/<pid>/cmdline for the lifetime of the subprocess. Fixed in 1.4.9.

## Affected

- `openssl_encrypt < 1.4.9`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `openssl_encrypt 1.4.9`