Amon2: Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)
CVE-2025-15604 is a critical-severity use of cryptographically weak pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) vulnerability in Amon2 from Tokuhirom, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 6.17 as the first without the flaw, so updating Amon2 to that release or later removes the exposure. 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.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Amon2 to 6.17 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
Amon2 versions before 6.17 for Perl use an insecure random_string implementation for security functions. In versions 6.06 through 6.16, the random_string function will attempt to read bytes from the /dev/urandom device, but if that is unavailable then it generates bytes by concatenating a SHA-1 hash seeded with the built-in rand() function, the PID, and the high resolution epoch time. 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. Before version 6.06, there was no fallback when /dev/urandom was not available. Before version 6.04, the random_string function used the built-in rand() function to generate a mixed-case alphanumeric string. This function may be used for generating session ids, generating secrets for signing or encrypting cookie session data and generating tokens used for Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection.
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
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- github.com/tokuhirom/Amon/pull/135Issue Tracking
Third-party and government advisories
- security.metacpan.org/docs/guides/random-data-for-security.htmlThird Party Advisory
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/28/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Recent Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.