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.

Metrics

Attack Vector Network

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required None

Attack Requirements None

User Interaction None

Vulnerable System Confidentiality Impact High

Vulnerable System Integrity Impact None

Vulnerable System Availability Impact None

Subsequent System Confidentiality Impact None

Subsequent System Integrity Impact None

Subsequent System Availability Impact None

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required Low

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact None

Availability Impact None

User Interaction None

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

No EPSS score available.

Exploitation none

Automatable yes

Technical Impact partial

Affected Vendors & Products

No data.

No data.

No data.

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Vendors Products
References
Link Providers
https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p cve-icon cve-icon
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-password-exposure-via-cli-argument cve-icon cve-icon
History

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Password Exposure via CLI Argument
Weaknesses CWE-214
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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'}
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-17T14:35:59.003Z

Reserved: 2026-08-17T10:31:04.593Z

Link: CVE-2026-74873

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-17T14:35:51.762Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-17T11:16:41.690

Modified: 2026-08-17T15:16:58.467

Link: CVE-2026-74873

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-17T12:45:03Z