CVE-2026-16235: CWE-338 Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) in DRSTEVE Crypt::Password
Crypt::Password versions through 0.28 for Perl generate insecure random values for salts. These versions use the built-in rand function, which is predictable and unsuitable for cryptography.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-16235 identifies a vulnerability in DRSTEVE's Crypt::Password Perl module versions up to 0.28, where the built-in rand function is used to generate salts. Since rand is predictable and not designed for cryptographic security, this results in weak random values that can undermine the security of password hashing or related cryptographic operations relying on these salts.
Potential Impact
The use of a predictable PRNG for salt generation can reduce the effectiveness of password hashing by making salts guessable. This can facilitate attacks such as precomputed hash attacks or reduce the entropy of stored password hashes, potentially leading to easier password recovery by attackers.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Users should avoid using affected versions and consider upgrading to a version that uses a cryptographically secure PRNG for salt generation once available. Alternatively, users can manually patch or override the salt generation method to use a secure source of randomness.
CVE-2026-16235: CWE-338 Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) in DRSTEVE Crypt::Password
Description
Crypt::Password versions through 0.28 for Perl generate insecure random values for salts. These versions use the built-in rand function, which is predictable and unsuitable for cryptography.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.8critical
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-16235 identifies a vulnerability in DRSTEVE's Crypt::Password Perl module versions up to 0.28, where the built-in rand function is used to generate salts. Since rand is predictable and not designed for cryptographic security, this results in weak random values that can undermine the security of password hashing or related cryptographic operations relying on these salts.
Potential Impact
The use of a predictable PRNG for salt generation can reduce the effectiveness of password hashing by making salts guessable. This can facilitate attacks such as precomputed hash attacks or reduce the entropy of stored password hashes, potentially leading to easier password recovery by attackers.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Users should avoid using affected versions and consider upgrading to a version that uses a cryptographically secure PRNG for salt generation once available. Alternatively, users can manually patch or override the salt generation method to use a secure source of randomness.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- CPANSec
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-19T15:48:13.976Z
- Cvss Version
- null
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a5dca642a4a8d598994e61b
Added to database: 07/20/2026, 07:12:36 UTC
Last enriched: 07/20/2026, 07:26:58 UTC
Last updated: 07/20/2026, 23:15:05 UTC
Views: 17
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