openssl-encrypt has visible password in process list via --password CLI argument
Summary
Passwords passed via the --password / -p CLI argument in openssl_encrypt/modules/crypt_cli_subparser.py at lines 150-154 are visible to any user on the system via ps aux or /proc/[pid]/cmdline.
Affected Code
subparser.add_argument(
"--password", "-p",
help="Password (will prompt if not provided, or use CRYPT_PASSWORD environment variable)",
)Similarly, --keystore-password exposes the keystore password.
Impact
On multi-user systems, any user can observe the encryption password by listing processes. The CRYPT_PASSWORD environment variable alternative is also visible via /proc/[pid]/environ (though with slightly restricted access).
Recommended Fix
- Document the security implications prominently
- Recommend interactive prompting (already supported) as the secure default
- Consider supporting password file descriptors (
--password-fd) or reading from stdin - Consider marking the argument as deprecated in favor of interactive prompting
Fix
Fixed in commit e78a366 on branch releases/1.4.x — added --password-file and --password-fd arguments; added OPENSSL_ENCRYPT_PASSWORD env var support; --password now emits deprecation warning.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | openssl-encrypt | < 1.4.0 | 1.4.0 |
References
- https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-password-exposure-via-cli-argument
- https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/commit/e78a3666e4592f3538adaaa6be8f5f04356174db
- https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt
- CVSS 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/E:U- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-256- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
openssl-encrypt- Disclosed
- 31.03.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 15:17
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2026-3753 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: openssl-encrypt
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 60
- First → latest
- 03.2026 08.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 2
- High 1
- Medium 15
- Unrated 42
Disclosures per year
- 2026: 60
-
openssl-encrypt has visible password in process list via --password CLI argument this entry
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