CVE-2026-74873

high

Description

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 expose passwords passed via the --password CLI argument in process listings accessible to all system users. Attackers can read process arguments through ps aux or /proc/[pid]/cmdline to retrieve plaintext passwords and keystore passwords.

References

https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-password-exposure-via-cli-argument

https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p

Details

Source: Mitre, NVD

Published: 2026-08-17

Updated: 2026-08-17

Risk Information

CVSS v2

Base Score: 4.6

Vector: CVSS2#AV:L/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:N/A:N

Severity: Medium

CVSS v3

Base Score: 5.5

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Severity: Medium

CVSS v4

Base Score: 8.7

Vector: 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

Severity: High