Description
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 use a non-standard PBKDF2 key derivation construction with iterations=1 per call in an outer loop, creating a KDF whose security properties have not been formally analyzed. Attackers can exploit this weakened key derivation to more efficiently crack passwords protecting legacy encrypted files compared to standard PBKDF2 implementations.
Published: 2026-08-17
Score: 8.7 High
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

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Remediation

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Advisories

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History

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 use a non-standard PBKDF2 key derivation construction with iterations=1 per call in an outer loop, creating a KDF whose security properties have not been formally analyzed. Attackers can exploit this weakened key derivation to more efficiently crack passwords protecting legacy encrypted files compared to standard PBKDF2 implementations.
Title openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Non-Standard PBKDF2 Key Derivation
Weaknesses CWE-327
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

cvssV4_0

{'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'}

Subscriptions

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-17T11:04:52.472Z

Reserved: 2026-08-17T10:42:40.455Z

Link: CVE-2026-74888

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-17T11:16:43.653

Modified: 2026-08-17T11:16:43.653

Link: CVE-2026-74888

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses