CWE-343: Predictable Value Range from Previous Values
Predictable Value Range from Previous Values
Weakness ID: 343 (Weakness Base)
Status: Draft
Description
Description Summary
The software's random number generator produces a series of
values which, when observed, can be used to infer a relatively small range of
possibilities for the next value that could be generated.
Extended Description
The output of a random number generator should not be predictable based on
observations of previous values. In some cases, an attacker cannot predict
the exact value that will be produced next, but can narrow down the
possibilities significantly. This reduces the amount of effort to perform a
brute force attack. For example, suppose the product generates random
numbers between 1 and 100, but it always produces a larger value until it
reaches 100. If the generator produces an 80, then the attacker knows that
the next value will be somewhere between 81 and 100. Instead of 100
possibilities, the attacker only needs to consider 20.
Time of Introduction
Architecture and Design
Implementation
Applicable Platforms
Languages
All
Potential Mitigations
ID
Phase
Description
Increase the entropy used to seed a PRNG.
2
Implementation
Perform FIPS 140-2 tests on data to catch obvious entropy
problems.
Implementation
Consider a PRNG which re-seeds itself, as needed from a high quality
pseudo-random output, like hardware devices.