openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 use Python's non-cryptographic random module for steganographic pixel selection in the generate_pseudorandom_sequence function. Attackers who know the password can recover the Mersenne Twister state from approximately 624 outputs and predict pixel locations containing hidden data for extraction.
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-weak-prng-steganography-pixel-selection
https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-vfgx-5q85-58q3
Published: 2026-08-17
Updated: 2026-08-17
Base Score: 7.8
Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:N/A:N
Severity: High
Base Score: 7.5
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Severity: High
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