---
id: CVE-2026-81719
aliases:
  - PYSEC-2026-3802
  - GHSA-587j-4r3v-cm2c
title: >-
  openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 executes untrusted third-party plugins with
  insufficient controls: the plugin signature policy defaulted to …
summary: >-
  openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 executes untrusted third-party plugins with
  insufficient controls: the plugin signature policy defaulted to WARN, so an
  unsigned/unverifiable non-built-in plugin was compiled and executed in the
  host process …
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-2026-3802'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-587j-4r3v-cm2c
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-remote-code-execution-via-plugin
tags:
  - osv
  - pip
epss: 0.00436
epssPercentile: 0.35355
ingestedAt: '2026-09-03T19:32:12.409Z'
---

## Overview

openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 executes untrusted third-party plugins with insufficient controls: the plugin signature policy defaulted to WARN, so an unsigned/unverifiable non-built-in plugin was compiled and executed in the host process at import time, before the runtime sandbox is installed. The only default gate was an incomplete, bypassable AST denylist. If a user is induced to load an attacker's plugin, this results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running openssl_encrypt. Fixed in 1.4.9 by defaulting the signature policy to ENFORCE for non-built-in plugins.

## Affected packages

- `openssl-encrypt < 1.4.9`

## Remediation

Upgrade to a patched release:

- `openssl-encrypt 1.4.9`