Description

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.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "7.5",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-17T11:16:44.263Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-17T11:16:44.263Z",
  "executiveSummary": "A hardcoded default secret key vulnerability exists in openssl_encrypt versions prior to 1.4.0 within the standalone telemetry server configuration.\nThis vulnerability is classified as a hardcoded cryptographic key issue, which undermines the integrity of API key hashing mechanisms used by the telemetry API.\nThe primary impact of this flaw is the potential compromise of telemetry API authentication, allowing malicious actors to bypass security controls.\nAffected systems include deployments of openssl_encrypt running versions earlier than 1.4.0 that utilize the default standalone telemetry server configuration.\nThe risk implications are severe, as successful exploitation results in unauthorized access and authentication bypass.\nAttacker capabilities include the ability to predict or forge valid API key hashes without possessing legitimate administrative credentials.\nExploitation requirements dictate that the attacker must possess knowledge of the hardcoded default secret value utilized within the targeted telemetry server configuration.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the implementation of a static, hardcoded default secret key within the standalone telemetry server configuration of openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0.\nThis cryptographic key is specifically utilized for API key hashing operations, rendering the resulting hashes deterministic and predictable to any entity aware of the embedded secret.\nThe vulnerable component is the telemetry server configuration module responsible for processing and verifying API key authenticity via hashing algorithms.\nAffected versions comprise all iterations of openssl_encrypt prior to version 1.4.0.\nNetwork exposure is present wherever the standalone telemetry server is deployed and accessible over the network, exposing the weak hashing implementation to potential requestors.\nAuthentication and privilege requirements for exploitation are minimal from a cryptographic perspective; an attacker does not require high-level privileges or legitimate pre-existing API keys, provided they leverage knowledge of the hardcoded secret.\nThe attack flow proceeds as follows: First, the adversary identifies a target running a vulnerable version of openssl_encrypt with the standalone telemetry server enabled. Second, utilizing the known hardcoded default secret key, the attacker computes valid cryptographic hashes corresponding to desired API keys. Third, the attacker transmits crafted API requests containing the forged or predicted hashes to the telemetry API endpoint. Fourth, the telemetry server evaluates the incoming request against its expected hashing mechanism, and because it relies on the predictable hardcoded secret, it erroneously validates the forged hash as authentic. Finally, authentication is successfully bypassed, granting the attacker unauthorized access to the telemetry API and its associated functionalities."
}