Description

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain hardcoded database credentials in standalone server configuration files. Attackers on the same network can access PostgreSQL databases using well-known default credentials to retrieve sensitive data.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "9.8",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-17T11:16:44.120Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-17T11:16:44.120Z",
  "executiveSummary": "A hardcoded credentials vulnerability exists in openssl_encrypt versions prior to 1.4.0 within standalone server configuration files. This security flaw introduces severe risk implications by embedding sensitive PostgreSQL database authentication secrets directly into the application deployment architecture.\nThe primary impact of this vulnerability is unauthorized access to backend data stores, potentially leading to the exposure, exfiltration, or tampering of sensitive enterprise information. Attackers possessing local network adjacency can exploit this weakness without requiring prior authentication or elevated privileges.\nThe exploitation vector relies on the predictability and extraction of well-known default credentials housed within the standalone server configuration files distributed with the vulnerable product. Consequently, any system running affected versions of openssl_encrypt that exposes its database interface or resides on a shared network segment faces immediate exposure to unauthorized data retrieval.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the static inclusion of hardcoded database credentials inside standalone server configuration files utilized by openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0. Rather than implementing dynamic credential generation, environment-based secret injection, or secure credential management systems, the software relies on embedded, default authentication values to establish connections with underlying PostgreSQL databases.\nThe vulnerable component consists of the standalone server initialization and configuration parsing routines that process the static deployment files. Because these files contain plaintext or easily reversible database connection strings, the PostgreSQL instance becomes accessible to unauthorized entities who can inspect the configuration or intercept deployment parameters.\nThe attack flow proceeds as follows. First, an attacker positioned on the same network as the target system identifies the active PostgreSQL database service, typically running on standard ports such as TCP 5432. Second, the adversary leverages knowledge or discovery of the openssl_encrypt version to locate the hardcoded credentials associated with the standalone server configuration. Third, utilizing well-known default credentials extracted from the configuration methodology, the attacker initiates a direct connection to the PostgreSQL database interface.\nAuthentication and privilege requirements for this attack are minimal. No prior authentication tokens, API keys, or administrative privileges are needed to exploit the hardcoded secrets, provided the attacker maintains network connectivity to the database service or the configuration file is readable. Network exposure is a prerequisite, as the attacker must be capable of reaching the PostgreSQL server or acquiring the configuration artifacts from the local environment.\nUpon successful authentication, the post-exploitation impact includes unauthorized data retrieval, enumeration of database schemas, and potential access to other sensitive application data stored within the PostgreSQL backend. The payload behavior involves standard PostgreSQL client-server communication protocols using the harvested default credentials, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary read queries and compromise the confidentiality of the system."
}