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.

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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'}


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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-17T12:48:36.797Z

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

Link: CVE-2026-74888

cve-icon Vulnrichment

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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

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cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

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Weaknesses