---
id: CVE-2026-81718
title: >-
  openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 use under-parameterized
  PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 with only 100,000 iterations to protect PQC keyfile private
  keys and 10,000 iterations for dual-encryption file-password verification
summary: >-
  openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 use under-parameterized
  PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 with only 100,000 iterations to protect PQC keyfile private
  keys and 10,000 iterations for dual-encryption file-password verification.
  Attackers who obtain …
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-326
published: '2026-08-27'
updated: '2026-09-23'
sourceUpdated: '2026-09-23T17:17:42.763'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-81718'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-fmjx-p826-6fvr
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-weak-cryptographic-parameters
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.0017
epssPercentile: 0.05603
ingestedAt: '2026-09-23T17:28:14.810Z'
---

## Overview

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 use under-parameterized PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 with only 100,000 iterations to protect PQC keyfile private keys and 10,000 iterations for dual-encryption file-password verification. Attackers who obtain keyfiles or encrypted files can brute-force wrapping passwords offline using GPU or ASIC acceleration.

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.