diff --git a/Doc/whatsnew/3.7.rst b/Doc/whatsnew/3.7.rst
index b70945f..e36e505 100644
--- a/Doc/whatsnew/3.7.rst
+++ b/Doc/whatsnew/3.7.rst
@@ -623,6 +623,12 @@
 (Contributed by Mandeep Singh in :issue:`23033` and Christian Heimes in
 :issue:`31399`.)
 
+The default cipher suite selection of the ssl module now uses a blacklist
+approach rather than a hard-coded whitelist. Python no longer re-enables
+ciphers that have been blocked by OpenSSL security update. Default cipher
+suite selection can be configured on compile time.
+(Contributed by Christian Heimes in :issue:`31429`.)
+
 string
 ------
 
diff --git a/Lib/ssl.py b/Lib/ssl.py
index 5f972e1..b6161d0 100644
--- a/Lib/ssl.py
+++ b/Lib/ssl.py
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@
 
 
 from _ssl import HAS_SNI, HAS_ECDH, HAS_NPN, HAS_ALPN, HAS_TLSv1_3
+from _ssl import _DEFAULT_CIPHERS
 from _ssl import _OPENSSL_API_VERSION
 
 
@@ -174,48 +175,7 @@
 HAS_NEVER_CHECK_COMMON_NAME = hasattr(_ssl, 'HOSTFLAG_NEVER_CHECK_SUBJECT')
 
 
-# Disable weak or insecure ciphers by default
-# (OpenSSL's default setting is 'DEFAULT:!aNULL:!eNULL')
-# Enable a better set of ciphers by default
-# This list has been explicitly chosen to:
-#   * TLS 1.3 ChaCha20 and AES-GCM cipher suites
-#   * Prefer cipher suites that offer perfect forward secrecy (DHE/ECDHE)
-#   * Prefer ECDHE over DHE for better performance
-#   * Prefer AEAD over CBC for better performance and security
-#   * Prefer AES-GCM over ChaCha20 because most platforms have AES-NI
-#     (ChaCha20 needs OpenSSL 1.1.0 or patched 1.0.2)
-#   * Prefer any AES-GCM and ChaCha20 over any AES-CBC for better
-#     performance and security
-#   * Then Use HIGH cipher suites as a fallback
-#   * Disable NULL authentication, NULL encryption, 3DES and MD5 MACs
-#     for security reasons
-_DEFAULT_CIPHERS = (
-    'TLS13-AES-256-GCM-SHA384:TLS13-CHACHA20-POLY1305-SHA256:'
-    'TLS13-AES-128-GCM-SHA256:'
-    'ECDH+AESGCM:ECDH+CHACHA20:DH+AESGCM:DH+CHACHA20:ECDH+AES256:DH+AES256:'
-    'ECDH+AES128:DH+AES:ECDH+HIGH:DH+HIGH:RSA+AESGCM:RSA+AES:RSA+HIGH:'
-    '!aNULL:!eNULL:!MD5:!3DES'
-    )
-
-# Restricted and more secure ciphers for the server side
-# This list has been explicitly chosen to:
-#   * TLS 1.3 ChaCha20 and AES-GCM cipher suites
-#   * Prefer cipher suites that offer perfect forward secrecy (DHE/ECDHE)
-#   * Prefer ECDHE over DHE for better performance
-#   * Prefer AEAD over CBC for better performance and security
-#   * Prefer AES-GCM over ChaCha20 because most platforms have AES-NI
-#   * Prefer any AES-GCM and ChaCha20 over any AES-CBC for better
-#     performance and security
-#   * Then Use HIGH cipher suites as a fallback
-#   * Disable NULL authentication, NULL encryption, MD5 MACs, DSS, RC4, and
-#     3DES for security reasons
-_RESTRICTED_SERVER_CIPHERS = (
-    'TLS13-AES-256-GCM-SHA384:TLS13-CHACHA20-POLY1305-SHA256:'
-    'TLS13-AES-128-GCM-SHA256:'
-    'ECDH+AESGCM:ECDH+CHACHA20:DH+AESGCM:DH+CHACHA20:ECDH+AES256:DH+AES256:'
-    'ECDH+AES128:DH+AES:ECDH+HIGH:DH+HIGH:RSA+AESGCM:RSA+AES:RSA+HIGH:'
-    '!aNULL:!eNULL:!MD5:!DSS:!RC4:!3DES'
-)
+_RESTRICTED_SERVER_CIPHERS = _DEFAULT_CIPHERS
 
 CertificateError = SSLCertVerificationError
 
@@ -393,8 +353,6 @@
 
     def __new__(cls, protocol=PROTOCOL_TLS, *args, **kwargs):
         self = _SSLContext.__new__(cls, protocol)
-        if protocol != _SSLv2_IF_EXISTS:
-            self.set_ciphers(_DEFAULT_CIPHERS)
         return self
 
     def __init__(self, protocol=PROTOCOL_TLS):
@@ -530,8 +488,6 @@
         # verify certs and host name in client mode
         context.verify_mode = CERT_REQUIRED
         context.check_hostname = True
-    elif purpose == Purpose.CLIENT_AUTH:
-        context.set_ciphers(_RESTRICTED_SERVER_CIPHERS)
 
     if cafile or capath or cadata:
         context.load_verify_locations(cafile, capath, cadata)
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_ssl.py b/Lib/test/test_ssl.py
index fdf727f..6a8bf0e 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_ssl.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_ssl.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 import weakref
 import platform
 import functools
+import sysconfig
 try:
     import ctypes
 except ImportError:
@@ -30,7 +31,7 @@
 HOST = support.HOST
 IS_LIBRESSL = ssl.OPENSSL_VERSION.startswith('LibreSSL')
 IS_OPENSSL_1_1 = not IS_LIBRESSL and ssl.OPENSSL_VERSION_INFO >= (1, 1, 0)
-
+PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS = sysconfig.get_config_var('PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS')
 
 def data_file(*name):
     return os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), *name)
@@ -936,6 +937,19 @@
         with self.assertRaisesRegex(ssl.SSLError, "No cipher can be selected"):
             ctx.set_ciphers("^$:,;?*'dorothyx")
 
+    @unittest.skipUnless(PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS == 1,
+                         "Test applies only to Python default ciphers")
+    def test_python_ciphers(self):
+        ctx = ssl.SSLContext(ssl.PROTOCOL_TLS_CLIENT)
+        ciphers = ctx.get_ciphers()
+        for suite in ciphers:
+            name = suite['name']
+            self.assertNotIn("PSK", name)
+            self.assertNotIn("SRP", name)
+            self.assertNotIn("MD5", name)
+            self.assertNotIn("RC4", name)
+            self.assertNotIn("3DES", name)
+
     @unittest.skipIf(ssl.OPENSSL_VERSION_INFO < (1, 0, 2, 0, 0), 'OpenSSL too old')
     def test_get_ciphers(self):
         ctx = ssl.SSLContext(ssl.PROTOCOL_TLS_CLIENT)
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2018-01-28-22-40-05.bpo-31429.qNt8rQ.rst b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2018-01-28-22-40-05.bpo-31429.qNt8rQ.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ac537b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2018-01-28-22-40-05.bpo-31429.qNt8rQ.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+The default cipher suite selection of the ssl module now uses a blacklist
+approach rather than a hard-coded whitelist. Python no longer re-enables
+ciphers that have been blocked by OpenSSL security update. Default cipher
+suite selection can be configured on compile time.
diff --git a/Modules/_ssl.c b/Modules/_ssl.c
index ec8c8af..7545e91 100644
--- a/Modules/_ssl.c
+++ b/Modules/_ssl.c
@@ -234,6 +234,31 @@
 
 #endif /* OpenSSL < 1.1.0 or LibreSSL */
 
+/* Default cipher suites */
+#ifndef PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS
+#define PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS 1
+#endif
+
+#if PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS == 0
+  #ifndef PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING
+     #error "Py_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS 0 needs Py_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING"
+  #endif
+#elif PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS == 1
+/* Python custom selection of sensible ciper suites
+ * DEFAULT: OpenSSL's default cipher list. Since 1.0.2 the list is in sensible order.
+ * !aNULL:!eNULL: really no NULL ciphers
+ * !MD5:!3DES:!DES:!RC4:!IDEA:!SEED: no weak or broken algorithms on old OpenSSL versions.
+ * !aDSS: no authentication with discrete logarithm DSA algorithm
+ * !SRP:!PSK: no secure remote password or pre-shared key authentication
+ */
+  #define PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING "DEFAULT:!aNULL:!eNULL:!MD5:!3DES:!DES:!RC4:!IDEA:!SEED:!aDSS:!SRP:!PSK"
+#elif PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS == 2
+/* Ignored in SSLContext constructor, only used to as _ssl.DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING */
+  #define PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_LIST
+#else
+  #error "Unsupported PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS"
+#endif
+
 
 enum py_ssl_error {
     /* these mirror ssl.h */
@@ -2873,7 +2898,12 @@
     /* A bare minimum cipher list without completely broken cipher suites.
      * It's far from perfect but gives users a better head start. */
     if (proto_version != PY_SSL_VERSION_SSL2) {
-        result = SSL_CTX_set_cipher_list(ctx, "HIGH:!aNULL:!eNULL:!MD5");
+#if PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS == 2
+        /* stick to OpenSSL's default settings */
+        result = 1;
+#else
+        result = SSL_CTX_set_cipher_list(ctx, PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING);
+#endif
     } else {
         /* SSLv2 needs MD5 */
         result = SSL_CTX_set_cipher_list(ctx, "HIGH:!aNULL:!eNULL");
@@ -5430,6 +5460,9 @@
                              (PyObject *)&PySSLSession_Type) != 0)
         return NULL;
 
+    PyModule_AddStringConstant(m, "_DEFAULT_CIPHERS",
+                               PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING);
+
     PyModule_AddIntConstant(m, "SSL_ERROR_ZERO_RETURN",
                             PY_SSL_ERROR_ZERO_RETURN);
     PyModule_AddIntConstant(m, "SSL_ERROR_WANT_READ",
diff --git a/configure b/configure
index f94d16b..caa8667 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -840,6 +840,7 @@
 with_computed_gotos
 with_ensurepip
 with_openssl
+with_ssl_default_suites
 '
       ac_precious_vars='build_alias
 host_alias
@@ -1538,6 +1539,11 @@
   --with(out)-ensurepip=[=upgrade]
                           "install" or "upgrade" using bundled pip
   --with-openssl=DIR      root of the OpenSSL directory
+  --with-ssl-default-suites=[python|openssl|STRING]
+                          Override default cipher suites string, python: use
+                          Python's preferred selection (default), openssl:
+                          leave OpenSSL's defaults untouched, STRING: use a
+                          custom string, PROTOCOL_SSLv2 ignores the setting
 
 Some influential environment variables:
   MACHDEP     name for machine-dependent library files
@@ -16931,6 +16937,48 @@
     LIBS="$save_LIBS"
 fi
 
+# ssl module default cipher suite string
+
+
+
+{ $as_echo "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for --with-ssl-default-suites" >&5
+$as_echo_n "checking for --with-ssl-default-suites... " >&6; }
+
+# Check whether --with-ssl-default-suites was given.
+if test "${with_ssl_default_suites+set}" = set; then :
+  withval=$with_ssl_default_suites;
+{ $as_echo "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: $withval" >&5
+$as_echo "$withval" >&6; }
+case "$withval" in
+    python)
+        $as_echo "#define PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+        ;;
+    openssl)
+        $as_echo "#define PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS 2" >>confdefs.h
+
+        ;;
+    *)
+        $as_echo "#define PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS 0" >>confdefs.h
+
+        cat >>confdefs.h <<_ACEOF
+#define PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING "$withval"
+_ACEOF
+
+        ;;
+esac
+
+else
+
+{ $as_echo "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: python" >&5
+$as_echo "python" >&6; }
+$as_echo "#define PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+
+fi
+
+
+
 # generate output files
 ac_config_files="$ac_config_files Makefile.pre Misc/python.pc Misc/python-config.sh"
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 6524863..af10a6d 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -5497,6 +5497,43 @@
     LIBS="$save_LIBS"
 fi
 
+# ssl module default cipher suite string
+AH_TEMPLATE(PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS,
+  [Default cipher suites list for ssl module.
+   1: Python's preferred selection, 2: leave OpenSSL defaults untouched, 0: custom string])
+AH_TEMPLATE(PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING,
+  [Cipher suite string for PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS=0]
+)
+
+AC_MSG_CHECKING(for --with-ssl-default-suites)
+AC_ARG_WITH(ssl-default-suites,
+            AS_HELP_STRING([--with-ssl-default-suites=@<:@python|openssl|STRING@:>@],
+                           [Override default cipher suites string,
+                            python: use Python's preferred selection (default),
+                            openssl: leave OpenSSL's defaults untouched,
+                            STRING: use a custom string,
+                            PROTOCOL_SSLv2 ignores the setting]),
+[
+AC_MSG_RESULT($withval)
+case "$withval" in
+    python)
+        AC_DEFINE(PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS, 1)
+        ;;
+    openssl)
+        AC_DEFINE(PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS, 2)
+        ;;
+    *)
+        AC_DEFINE(PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS, 0)
+        AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED(PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING, "$withval")
+        ;;
+esac
+],
+[
+AC_MSG_RESULT(python)
+AC_DEFINE(PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS, 1)
+])
+
+
 # generate output files
 AC_CONFIG_FILES(Makefile.pre Misc/python.pc Misc/python-config.sh)
 AC_CONFIG_FILES([Modules/ld_so_aix], [chmod +x Modules/ld_so_aix])
diff --git a/pyconfig.h.in b/pyconfig.h.in
index a18e3ca..a0efff9 100644
--- a/pyconfig.h.in
+++ b/pyconfig.h.in
@@ -1314,6 +1314,13 @@
 /* Define to printf format modifier for Py_ssize_t */
 #undef PY_FORMAT_SIZE_T
 
+/* Default cipher suites list for ssl module. 1: Python's preferred selection,
+   2: leave OpenSSL defaults untouched, 0: custom string */
+#undef PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS
+
+/* Cipher suite string for PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHERS=0 */
+#undef PY_SSL_DEFAULT_CIPHER_STRING
+
 /* Define to emit a locale compatibility warning in the C locale */
 #undef PY_WARN_ON_C_LOCALE