---
id: CVE-2026-81699
title: >-
  openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to properly validate key derivation
  function costs in crafted files, allowing attackers to trigger unbounded
  memory and CPU exhaustion during pre-authentication processing
summary: >-
  openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to properly validate key derivation
  function costs in crafted files, allowing attackers to trigger unbounded
  memory and CPU exhaustion during pre-authentication processing. Attackers can
  supply …
severity: high
cvss: 7.5
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'
cwe:
  - CWE-770
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: '2026-09-03T15:09:04.887'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-81699'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-phmr-p567-q5g6
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-denial-of-service-via-unbounded-kdf-cost
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
tags:
  - nvd
  - cve.org
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'yes'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2026-08-27T18:38:48.311398Z'
ingestedAt: '2026-09-14T11:11:18.822Z'
epss: 0.00505
epssPercentile: 0.40494
---

## Overview

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to properly validate key derivation function costs in crafted files, allowing attackers to trigger unbounded memory and CPU exhaustion during pre-authentication processing. Attackers can supply malicious files with excessive KDF parameters to exhaust system resources and crash or wedge the process before password verification occurs.

## Affected

- `openssl_encrypt < 1.4.9`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `openssl_encrypt 1.4.9`