---
id: CVE-2026-81690
aliases:
  - PYSEC-2026-3796
  - GHSA-hw7h-wqf5-6crx
title: >-
  openssl-encrypt (pip package) before 1.4.9 contains a symlink-following flaw
  in its verify-usb v2 added-file allowlist scan. The scan enu…
summary: >-
  openssl-encrypt (pip package) before 1.4.9 contains a symlink-following flaw
  in its verify-usb v2 added-file allowlist scan. The scan enumerated the drive
  with rglob(), which in CPython does not descend into symlinked directories and
  tre…
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-2026-3796'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-hw7h-wqf5-6crx
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/verify-usb-before-1.4.9-symlink-directory-traversal-code-execution
tags:
  - osv
  - pip
epss: 0.00706
epssPercentile: 0.51307
ingestedAt: '2026-09-03T19:32:12.153Z'
---

## Overview

openssl-encrypt (pip package) before 1.4.9 contains a symlink-following flaw in its verify-usb v2 added-file allowlist scan. The scan enumerated the drive with rglob(), which in CPython does not descend into symlinked directories and treats the symlink as an ordinary directory, while O_NOFOLLOW on the hash side binds only the final path component. An evil-maid attacker with physical access to the removable drive could replace a tool-tree directory with a symlink to a copy containing byte-identical files plus a planted __pycache__/*.pyc file (which CPython loads in preference to recompiling the clean .py). The planted file is never enumerated, added_files stays 0, and verify-usb reports PASSED, resulting in code execution when the victim runs the portable install. Fixed in 1.4.9 (affects both 1.4.x and 1.5.x lines).

## Affected packages

- `openssl-encrypt < 1.4.9`

## Remediation

Upgrade to a patched release:

- `openssl-encrypt 1.4.9`