---
id: CVE-2026-81698
aliases:
  - PYSEC-2026-3776
  - GHSA-gw2m-mj6q-59hc
title: >-
  openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 contain a shell injection vulnerability
  in the info command's reconstructed CLI block that interpol…
summary: >-
  openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 contain a shell injection vulnerability
  in the info command's reconstructed CLI block that interpolates untrusted
  metadata fields without quoting. Attackers can craft metadata values like
  pepper_name…
severity: high
cvss: 8.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
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: '2026-09-02'
source: OSV
sourceUrl: 'https://osv.dev/vulnerability/PYSEC-2026-3776'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-gw2m-mj6q-59hc
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-shell-injection-via-info-command
tags:
  - osv
  - pip
epss: 0.00427
epssPercentile: 0.34304
ingestedAt: '2026-09-02T19:31:26.074Z'
---

## Overview

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 contain a shell injection vulnerability in the info command's reconstructed CLI block that interpolates untrusted metadata fields without quoting. Attackers can craft metadata values like pepper_name containing shell commands that execute when users copy the printed CLI block into a shell.

## Affected packages

- `openssl-encrypt < 1.4.9`

## Remediation

Upgrade to a patched release:

- `openssl-encrypt 1.4.9`