# CVE-2026-81697

## Summary

- **CVE ID:** CVE-2026-81697
- **Severity:** HIGH
- **CVSS Score:** 8.7 (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N)
- **CWE:** CWE-426
- **Published:** Aug 27, 2026
- **Last Modified:** Aug 31, 2026

## Description

openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8 contain a CWD-relative configuration file resolution flaw in crypt_settings.py, where CONFIG_FILE (originally the absolute per-user path ~/.crypt_settings.json) is reassigned at line 84 to the bare relative name 'crypt_settings.json'. As a result, the legacy Tk GUI's SettingsTab reads and writes KDF settings from crypt_settings.json in the process launch (current working) directory instead of the user's home directory. An attacker who plants a malicious crypt_settings.json (e.g. sha256:1 with all memory-hard KDFs disabled) can silently downgrade encryption performed in that GUI session to roughly one hash round, bypassing the weak-KDF preflight and enabling offline brute-force attacks against the resulting ciphertext. Fixed in 1.4.9.

## Affected Products

- jahlives — openssl_encrypt (0)
- jahlives — openssl_encrypt (1.4.9)

## References

- [CNA](https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-7j2v-g84w-m75v)
- [CNA](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-kdf-downgrade-via-cwd-relative-configuration)

## Exploitation Prediction (EPSS)

- **EPSS Score:** 0.15%
- **EPSS Percentile:** 4.4

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_Exported from OnDuty AI Vulnerability Intelligence on 2026-09-11._