Description
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).
Affected products
jahlives: openssl encrypt
References2
- github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-hw… Vendor Advisory
- www.vulncheck.com/advisories/verify-usb-before-1.4.9-symlink-di… Third Party Advisory
Metrics
- CVSS 3.1
-
7.3
HIGH
Score source: CNA
CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H - CVSS 4.0
-
8.7
HIGH
Score source: CNA
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/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X - EPSS — exploit probability
- 1% percentile: 54 · as of 9 November 2026
- CWE
- CWE-59
Could this be exploited in your environment?
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