---
id: CVE-2026-81720
title: >-
  openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 fails to validate the memory_cost parameter from
  identity file protection blocks, allowing attackers to trigger out-of-memory
  conditions during key derivation
summary: >-
  openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 fails to validate the memory_cost parameter from
  identity file protection blocks, allowing attackers to trigger out-of-memory
  conditions during key derivation. Attackers with write access to local
  identity st…
severity: medium
cvss: 6.2
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-400
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: '2026-09-03T15:09:57.017'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-81720'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-783h-8q2f-f762
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-denial-of-service-via-unbounded-argon2
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
tags:
  - nvd
  - cve.org
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2026-08-27T18:24:04.426141Z'
ingestedAt: '2026-09-14T14:16:36.819Z'
epss: 0.00185
epssPercentile: 0.07217
---

## Overview

openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 fails to validate the memory_cost parameter from identity file protection blocks, allowing attackers to trigger out-of-memory conditions during key derivation. Attackers with write access to local identity stores can craft malicious identity files with excessive memory_cost values that cause the host to crash when unlocking identities before authentication.

## Affected

- `openssl_encrypt < 1.4.9`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `openssl_encrypt 1.4.9`