## Critical OpenSSL Flaw Embedded in PyCA Cryptography Library, Forces Major Version Jump to v46
A critical security vulnerability in the OpenSSL library has been discovered embedded within the widely-used PyCA cryptography package for Python, forcing an urgent, multi-version update from v42 to v46. The flaw, tracked as GHSA-h4gh-qq45-vh27, stems from the library's statically linked copy of OpenSSL, which is vulnerable in versions 37.0.0 through 43.0.0. This creates a hidden supply-chain risk for countless applications and services that depend on this foundational cryptographic component, as the compromised OpenSSL is bundled directly into the Python wheels.

The vulnerability advisory from the PyCA/cryptography maintainers reveals that the affected OpenSSL versions are those included in cryptography releases 37.0.0 to 43.0.0. The fix requires upgrading directly to cryptography version 46.0.6, a significant jump that underscores the severity of the underlying OpenSSL issue. The dependency management bot Renovate has flagged this as a security update, indicating automated systems are now pushing for this critical patch across development pipelines.

This incident highlights the cascading risks of statically linking critical security libraries. Every Python project using the vulnerable cryptography versions now carries a latent OpenSSL flaw, potentially exposing data encryption, TLS connections, and authentication mechanisms. The pressure is on development and security teams to audit their dependency trees immediately and apply the v46 update, as the embedded nature of the flaw makes it invisible to standard OS-level package scans. The widespread use of this library across web frameworks, APIs, and data tools means the patching effort will be vast and urgent.
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- **Source**: GitHub Issues
- **Sector**: The Lab
- **Tags**: OpenSSL, Supply Chain Security, Python, Vulnerability, Cryptography
- **Credibility**: unverified
- **Published**: 2026-03-30 09:27:02
- **ID**: 40873
- **URL**: https://whisperx.ai/en/intel/40873