CVE-2026-26007
cryptography: cryptography Subgroup Attack Due to Missing Subgroup Validation for SECT Curves
Severity
ImportantRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.1
Review impact separately from score.
Published · February 11, 2026
Updated · November 3, 2026
Description
A validation flaw has been discovered in the python cryptography package. This missing validation allows an attacker to provide a public key point P from a small-order subgroup. This can lead to security issues in various situations, such as the most commonly used signature verification (ECDSA) and shared key negotiation (ECDH). When the victim computes the shared secret as S = [victim_private_key]P via ECDH, this leaks information about victim_private_key mod (small_subgroup_order). For curves with cofactor > 1, this reveals the least significant bits of the private key. When these weak public keys are used in ECDSA , it's easy to forge signatures on the small subgroup. Only SECT curves are impacted by this.
Statement
This flaw, while difficult to exploit, would lead to a loss of integrity in the encrypted communication channel. Given that the cryptography package is a library, it is likely to be used in situations that do not require user interaction.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.1 · 7.4CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
CWE-354 · Improper Validation of Integrity Check Value