CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-18536NVD status: Analyzed

Data::Entropy: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-18536 is a high-severity cleartext transmission of sensitive information vulnerability in Data::Entropy from RRWO, 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 0.010 as the first without the flaw, so updating Data::Entropy to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.2% 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 Data::Entropy to 0.010 or a later version.
  2. Update Data to 0.010 or a later version.
  3. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. 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
RRWOData::Entropybefore 0.0100.010
RrwoDatabefore 0.0100.010

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 CISA (ADP).

Official description

Data::Entropy versions before 0.010 for Perl read remote entropy sources over plain HTTP. The Data::Entropy::RawSource::RandomOrg and Data::Entropy::RawSource::RandomnumbersInfo remote sources are accessed over plain HTTP. The Data::Entropy::RawSource::RandomOrg integrity check trivially matches any non-empty byte string. Any on-path attacker, such as open WiFi, a compromised ISP, captive portal, or a hostile egress proxy substitutes the response and thereby chooses the bytes returned by rand_bits and rand_int for every application that selected one of these sources via with_entropy_source. The _checkbuf method response is equally attacker-controlled, so the retry/sleep behaviour is steerable too.

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

The underlying weakness: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information

The product transmits sensitive or security-critical data in cleartext in a communication channel that can be sniffed by unauthorized actors.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Before transmitting, encrypt the data using reliable, confidentiality-protecting cryptographic protocols.
  • When using web applications with SSL, use SSL for the entire session from login to logout, not just for the initial login page.
  • When designing hardware platforms, ensure that approved encryption algorithms (such as those recommended by NIST) protect paths from security critical data to trusted user applications.

More Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerabilities (CWE-319)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Recent Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerabilities

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