Predictable password salts via weak random generation
Published Jul 20, 2026 · Updated Jul 20, 2026
Weak random generation in Crypt::Password 0.28 and earlier allows attackers to anticipate salts via Perl's predictable rand function. The _invent_salt routine selects each salt character with the non-cryptographic rand function instead of a cryptographically secure source. Exploitation requires an application to omit the optional salt and attackers to obtain resulting hashes; the weakness reduces resistance to precomputed cracking rather than directly disclosing plaintext passwords.
Summary
What happened
Weak random generation in Crypt::Password 0.28 and earlier allows attackers to anticipate salts via Perl's predictable rand function. The _invent_salt routine selects each salt character with the non-cryptographic rand function instead of a cryptographically secure source. Exploitation requires an application to omit the optional salt and attackers to obtain resulting hashes; the weakness reduces resistance to precomputed cracking rather than directly disclosing plaintext passwords.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-16235
- Published
- Jul 20, 2026
- Updated
- Jul 20, 2026
- Vendor
- Steve Eirium
- Product
- Crypt::Password
- Classifications
- CWE-338, T1110.002
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 20, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 20, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <=0.28
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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