CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-28835NVD status: Modified

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

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-28835 is a high-severity use of cryptographically weak pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) vulnerability in security-advisories from Nextcloud, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected security-advisories versions: < 24.0.10; >= 25.0.0, < 25.0.4. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.54% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Nextcloud Server to 23.0.14 or 24.0.10 or 25.0.4, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Nextcloudsecurity-advisories< 24.0.10; >= 25.0.0, < 25.0.4Not stated
NextcloudNextcloud Server23.0.0 up to, but not including, 23.0.14; 24.0.0 up to, but not including, 24.0.10; 25.0.0 up to, but not including, 25.0.423.0.14, 24.0.10, 25.0.4

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
NoneAvailability is not affected.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.13.5LowCNA (github.com)
CVSS 3.17.5HighNVD

Official description

Nextcloud server is an open source home cloud implementation. In affected versions the generated fallback password when creating a share was using a weak complexity random number generator, so when the sharer did not change it the password could be guessable to an attacker willing to brute force it. It is recommended that the Nextcloud Server is upgraded to 24.0.10 or 25.0.4. This issue only affects users who do not have a password policy enabled, so enabling a password policy is an effective mitigation for users unable to upgrade.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)

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

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Use functions or hardware which use a hardware-based random number generation for all crypto. This is the recommended solution. Use CyptGenRandom on Windows, or hw_rand() on Linux.

More Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) vulnerabilities (CWE-338)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Patches and release notes

Other vulnerabilities in security-advisories

All security-advisories vulnerabilities

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

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