It was discovered that QtPass before 1.2.1, when using the built-in password generator, generates possibly predictable and enumerable passwords. This only applies to the QtPass GUI.
The product uses a Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) in a security context, but the PRNG’s algorithm is not cryptographically strong.
Name | Vendor | Start Version | End Version |
---|---|---|---|
Qtpass | Qtpass | * | 1.2.1 (excluding) |
Qtpass | Ubuntu | artful | * |
Qtpass | Ubuntu | esm-apps/xenial | * |
Qtpass | Ubuntu | upstream | * |
Qtpass | Ubuntu | xenial | * |
Qtpass | Ubuntu | zesty | * |
When a non-cryptographic PRNG is used in a cryptographic context, it can expose the cryptography to certain types of attacks. Often a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) is not designed for cryptography. Sometimes a mediocre source of randomness is sufficient or preferable for algorithms that use random numbers. Weak generators generally take less processing power and/or do not use the precious, finite, entropy sources on a system. While such PRNGs might have very useful features, these same features could be used to break the cryptography.