CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2018-12885

Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)

Published: Aug 07, 2018 | Modified: Oct 18, 2018
CVSS 3.x
5.9
MEDIUM
Source:
NVD
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CVSS 2.x
4.3 MEDIUM
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
RedHat/V2
RedHat/V3
Ubuntu

The randMod() function of the smart contract implementation for MyCryptoChamp, an Ethereum game, generates a random value with publicly readable variables such as the current block information and a private variable, (which can be read with a getStorageAt call). Therefore, attackers can get powerful champs/items and get rewards.

Weakness

The product uses a Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) in a security context, but the PRNG’s algorithm is not cryptographically strong.

Affected Software

Name Vendor Start Version End Version
Mycryptochamp Mycryptochamp - -

Extended Description

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.

Potential Mitigations

References