CVE-2026-74892 in openssl_encrypt
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2026
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain a hardcoded default secret key in the standalone telemetry server configuration that is used for API key hashing. Attackers who know this default value can predict or forge API key hashes to compromise telemetry API authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2026
The vulnerability identified in openssl_encrypt prior to version 1.4.0 represents a critical failure in cryptographic implementation within the standalone telemetry server configuration. The core issue stems from the use of a hardcoded, static default secret key for hashing API keys rather than generating unique, random secrets during deployment or initialization. In secure software architecture, authentication tokens and their associated hashes must rely on entropy derived from unpredictable sources to ensure that an adversary cannot reverse-engineer valid credentials. By embedding a fixed constant into the source code as the default cryptographic seed, the system violates fundamental principles of key management defined in industry standards such as CWE-798, which classifies this behavior as the use of hardcoded credentials. This design flaw effectively neutralizes the security benefits provided by hashing algorithms because the input variable required to validate or generate a token is publicly known and immutable across all installations running affected versions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers who are aware of the default key value to predict valid API key hashes with high certainty. Since telemetry servers often handle sensitive data regarding system performance, user activity, or network topology, compromising authentication mechanisms can lead to unauthorized access to these critical endpoints. An attacker could forge legitimate-looking requests by calculating the correct hash using the known secret, thereby bypassing access controls without needing to crack a password or exploit a separate injection flaw. This capability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078, specifically Valid Accounts, as it enables an adversary to authenticate using credentials that were not legitimately issued but are mathematically valid due to the weak key generation process. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access; it potentially allows for data exfiltration, manipulation of telemetry logs to cover tracks, or further lateral movement within a network if these API endpoints serve as gateways to more privileged systems.
The remediation strategy requires immediate updates to openssl_encrypt versions 1.4.0 and above, where this hardcoded default has been removed in favor of dynamic key generation mechanisms. For environments that cannot immediately upgrade due to dependency constraints or legacy system requirements, mitigation involves manually overriding the configuration file used by the telemetry server to specify a strong, randomly generated secret key instead of relying on the application defaults. This override must be implemented using cryptographically secure random number generators to ensure sufficient entropy and uniqueness per deployment instance. Additionally, organizations should audit their existing deployments for any instances where default configurations were left unchanged in production environments. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on cryptographic implementations can help identify similar patterns of hardcoded secrets or weak key management practices before they are exploited by malicious actors seeking to compromise telemetry infrastructure integrity.