CVE-2026-81690verify-usb before 1.4.9 Symlink Directory Traversal Code Execution
Updated under an hour ago ()
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It affects jahlives openssl_encrypt. Add what you run to find out whether that includes you.
No exploitation reported and no EPSS estimate yet.
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openssl-encrypt (pip package) before 1.4.9 contains a symlink-following flaw in its verify-usb v2 added-file allowlist scan. The scan enumerated the drive with rglob(), which in CPython does not descend into symlinked directories and treats the symlink as an ordinary directory, while O_NOFOLLOW on the hash side binds only the final path component. An evil-maid attacker with physical access to the removable drive could replace a tool-tree directory with a symlink to a copy containing byte-identical files plus a planted __pycache__/*.pyc file (which CPython loads in preference to recompiling the clean .py). The planted file is never enumerated, added_files stays 0, and verify-usb reports PASSED, resulting in code execution when the victim runs the portable install. Fixed in 1.4.9 (affects both 1.4.x and 1.5.x lines).
- CVSS
- 7.3 HIGH (v3.1, CNA)CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-59
- Known exploited
- Not in CISA's KEV catalog
- EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)
- Not loaded for this CVE
- Assigned by
- VulnCheck
- NVD analysis
- Analyzed
- Record last updated
- Oct 1, 2026
- First seen by InfoSec Signals
- Oct 9, 2026
Affected products
jahlives openssl_encrypt jahlives:openssl_encrypt (from the name) | before 1.4.9; 1.4.9 not affected | CNA record |
jahlives openssl_encrypt jahlives:openssl_encrypt | before 1.4.9 | NVD |
References
- https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-hw7h-wqf5-6crxvendor-advisory
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/verify-usb-before-1.4.9-symlink-directory-traversal-code-executionthird-party-advisory
The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry
The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.