bc-csharp: Missing Cryptographic Step
CVE-2026-16000 is a high-severity missing cryptographic step vulnerability in bc-csharp from Legion of the Bouncy Castle, 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. The record lists version 2.7.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating bc-csharp to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.22% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update bc-csharp to 2.7.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legion of the Bouncy Castle | bc-csharp | before 2.7.0 | 2.7.0 |
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
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.7 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Missing cryptographic step in the DSTU 7624 CCM mode implementation (KCcmBlockCipher) in Legion of the Bouncy Castle Inc. bc-csharp before 2.7.0 allows an attacker who can observe encrypted messages of known or chosen content to forge ciphertexts with valid authentication tags, via messages encrypted without associated data. The cause is that the G1 block, which binds the nonce, the message length and the parameter flags into the CBC-MAC, was processed only when associated data was present. Without associated data the tag was a CBC-MAC of the plaintext alone, independent of the nonce. Only applications that use KCcmBlockCipher directly and supply no associated data are affected.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Cryptographic Step
The product does not implement a required step in a cryptographic algorithm, resulting in weaker encryption than advertised by the algorithm.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in bc-csharp
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Missing Cryptographic Step vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
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