CVE-2026-34182
CWE-354Published: June 9, 2026· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Official Description
Issue Summary: Cryptographic Message Services (CMS) processing fails to perform
sufficient input validation on the cipher and tag length fields of
AuthEnvelopedData containers, leading to various potential compromises.
Impact Summary: Attackers making use of these vulnerabilities may achieve
key-equivalent functionality for a given CMS recipient and/or bypass integrity
validation for a given message.
In one use case, an attacker may send a CMS message containing
AuthEnvelopedData with the cipher specified as a non-AEAD cipher. OpenSSL
erroneously allows this selection, and attempts to decrypt and validate the
message.
An on-path attacker who captures one legitimate AES-GCM AuthEnvelopedData
addressed to the victim can re-emit it with the recipientInfos set left
byte-for-byte intact, so the victim's private key still unwraps the genuine CEK
(the content-encryption key), but with the inner OID rewritten to AES-256-OFB
(Output Feedback Mode, an unauthenticated keystream mode) and with an
attacker-chosen IV and ciphertext. The victim initializes AES-256-OFB under the
real CEK, never consults the MAC field, and CMS_decrypt() returns success.
If the application under attack responds to the attacker with any indicator
showing success or failure of the decryption effort, it is possible for the
attacker to use this as an oracle to obtain key equivalent functionality for the
CEK used for the chosen recipient of the message.
In another use case, an attacker can reduce the tag length of the chosen AEAD
cipher for a given AuthEnvelopedData container to be a single byte long,
allowing an attacker to brute force CMS decryption, producing an integrity
bypass for applications that trust CMS_decrypt() to reject modified content.
The FIPS modules are not affected by this issue.
Risk Analysis
This critical vulnerability in Cryptographic Message Services (CMS) processing, with a CVSS score of 9.1, stems from insufficient input validation on cipher and tag length fields in AuthEnvelopedData containers. Attackers can achieve key-equivalent functionality or bypass integrity validation, posing a significant risk to data confidentiality and integrity. The critical severity and potential for data compromise make this an urgent issue.
No public exploit is currently known for this vulnerability. Given the CVSS vector AV:N and AC:L, this flaw is remotely exploitable with low attack complexity, meaning an attacker does not need local access or special conditions to exploit it.
To mitigate this vulnerability, ensure that OpenSSL installations, including versions 4.0.0 and others, are updated to patched versions that correctly validate cipher and tag length fields. Implement strict input validation for CMS messages and ensure cryptographic libraries are up-to-date.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-34182 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), with a CVSS base score of 9.1.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (6)
Quick Facts
Related CVEs (CWE-354)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-34182 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts