CWE-335 Detail

CWE-335

Incorrect Usage of Seeds in Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)
Draft
2006-07-19
00h00 +00:00
2025-12-11
00h00 +00:00
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Naam: Incorrect Usage of Seeds in Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)

The product uses a Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) but does not correctly manage seeds.

Algemene informatie

Introductiemodi

Implementation : REALIZATION: This weakness is caused during implementation of an architectural security tactic.

Toepasselijke platforms

Taal

Class: Not Language-Specific (Undetermined)

Veelvoorkomende gevolgen

Bereik Impact Waarschijnlijkheid
Access Control
Other
Bypass Protection Mechanism, Other

Note: If a PRNG is used incorrectly, such as using the same seed for each initialization or using a predictable seed, then an attacker may be able to easily guess the seed and thus the random numbers. This could lead to unauthorized access to a system if the seed is used for authentication and authorization.

Waargenomen voorbeelden

Referenties Beschrijving

CVE-2020-7010

Cloud application on Kubernetes generates passwords using a weak random number generator based on deployment time.

CVE-2019-11495

server uses erlang:now() to seed the PRNG, which results in a small search space for potential random seeds

CVE-2018-12520

Product's PRNG is not seeded for the generation of session IDs

CVE-2016-10180

Router's PIN generation is based on rand(time(0)) seeding.

Detectiemethoden

Automated Static Analysis

Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.)

Notities kwetsbaarheidsmapping

Rechtvaardiging : This CWE entry is at the Base level of abstraction, which is a preferred level of abstraction for mapping to the root causes of vulnerabilities.
Opmerking : Carefully read both the name and description to ensure that this mapping is an appropriate fit. Do not try to 'force' a mapping to a lower-level Base/Variant simply to comply with this preferred level of abstraction.

Notities

As of CWE 4.5, terminology related to randomness, entropy, and predictability can vary widely. Within the developer and other communities, "randomness" is used heavily. However, within cryptography, "entropy" is distinct, typically implied as a measurement. There are no commonly-used definitions, even within standards documents and cryptography papers. Future versions of CWE will attempt to define these terms and, if necessary, distinguish between them in ways that are appropriate for different communities but do not reduce the usability of CWE for mapping, understanding, or other scenarios.

Referenties

REF-44

24 Deadly Sins of Software Security
Michael Howard, David LeBlanc, John Viega.

Indiening

Naam Organisatie Datum Releasedatum Version
PLOVER 2006-07-19 +00:00 2006-07-19 +00:00 Draft 3

Wijzigingen

Naam Organisatie Datum Opmerking
Eric Dalci Cigital 2008-07-01 +00:00 updated Time_of_Introduction
CWE Content Team MITRE 2008-09-08 +00:00 updated Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
CWE Content Team MITRE 2011-06-01 +00:00 updated Common_Consequences
CWE Content Team MITRE 2012-05-11 +00:00 updated Common_Consequences, References, Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2017-11-08 +00:00 updated Applicable_Platforms, Description, Modes_of_Introduction, Name, Relationships, Type
CWE Content Team MITRE 2019-06-20 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2020-02-24 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2021-07-20 +00:00 updated Description, Maintenance_Notes, Observed_Examples
CWE Content Team MITRE 2021-10-28 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2022-10-13 +00:00 updated Observed_Examples
CWE Content Team MITRE 2023-01-31 +00:00 updated Description
CWE Content Team MITRE 2023-04-27 +00:00 updated Relationships, Time_of_Introduction
CWE Content Team MITRE 2023-06-29 +00:00 updated Mapping_Notes
CWE Content Team MITRE 2023-10-26 +00:00 updated Demonstrative_Examples
CWE Content Team MITRE 2025-12-11 +00:00 updated Detection_Factors, Relationships, Weakness_Ordinalities