CVE-2026-8721
CRITICALDescription
Crypt::OpenSSL::PKCS12 versions through 1.94 for Perl truncates passwords with embedded NULLs. Password parameters in PKCS12.xs are declared char *, which routes through Perl's default typemap to SvPV_nolen. The Perl length is discarded. The C code (or OpenSSL internally) calls strlen() on the buffer. Any password byte at or after the first NULL is silently dropped. Binary / KDF-derived / HMAC-derived passwords lose entropy without any warnings.
How to fix
TridentStack Control can deploy fixes like this automatically across your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet. See how it works
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Low risk: more likely to be exploited than 37% of all known CVEs.
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-170 vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2021-22931 | Critical | 9.8 | 22% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2019-11045 | Low | 3.7 | 8.8% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2019-11044 | Low | 3.7 | 5.1% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2019-8275 | Critical | 9.8 | 4.0% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2020-27736 | Medium | 6.5 | 3.6% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2021-31886 | Critical | 9.8 | 3.0% | - | Fix |
Common questions
How do I fix CVE-2026-8721?
Upgrade libcrypt-openssl-pkcs12-perl on debian unstable to 1.95-1 or later.
Is CVE-2026-8721 being actively exploited?
Not that we know of. CVE-2026-8721 is not in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Its EPSS score of 0.45% is the estimated probability that it will be exploited in the next 30 days. That is higher than 37% of all scored CVEs.
How severe is CVE-2026-8721?
CVE-2026-8721 has a CVSS v3 base score of 9.8, rated critical. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.
What does CVE-2026-8721 affect?
Published advisories record a fix for libcrypt-openssl-pkcs12-perl (Debian). Only products with a sourced advisory are listed, so treat this as what we can cite rather than a complete inventory.
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This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-05-18.