HTTP::Session2 versions before 1.12 for Perl for Perl may generate weak session ids using the rand() function.
The HTTP::Session2 session id generator returns a SHA-1 hash seeded with the built-in rand function, the epoch time, and the PID. The PID will come from a small set of numbers, and the epoch time may be guessed, if it is not leaked from the HTTP Date header. The built-in rand() function is unsuitable for cryptographic usage.
HTTP::Session2 after version 1.02 will attempt to use the /dev/urandom device to generate a session id, but if the device is unavailable (for example, under Windows), then it will revert to the insecure method described above.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Http::session2 | Tokuhirom | * | 1.12 (excluding) |
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
- https://github.com/tokuhirom/HTTP-Session2/commit/9cfde4d7e0965172aef5dcfa3b03bb48df93e636.patch
- https://metacpan.org/release/TOKUHIROM/HTTP-Session2-1.01/source/lib/HTTP/Session2/ServerStore.pm#L68
- https://metacpan.org/release/TOKUHIROM/HTTP-Session2-1.11/source/lib/HTTP/Session2/Random.pm#L35
- https://metacpan.org/release/TOKUHIROM/HTTP-Session2-1.12/changes
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/02/27/12