CVE-2020-36732
Insecure Randomness vulnerability in crypto-js (npm)
What is CVE-2020-36732 About?
The crypto-js package before version 3.2.1 for Node.js has an insecure randomness vulnerability. It generates random numbers by concatenating a string with an integer, making the output less random and predictable. This predictability can undermine cryptographic operations.
Affected Software
Technical Details
The crypto-js package, specifically in versions prior to 3.2.1, implements a random number generation mechanism that lacks true cryptographic randomness. Instead of using a cryptographically secure pseudo-random number generator (CSPRNG), it constructs random numbers by simply concatenating the string '0.' with an integer. This method produces highly predictable outputs, as the integer part might be derived from a less secure, or even timestamp-based, source. Consequently, any security protocols or cryptographic keys relying on this 'randomness' can be easily predicted or brute-forced by an attacker, compromising their security.
What is the Impact of CVE-2020-36732?
Successful exploitation may allow attackers to predict cryptographic keys, decrypt sensitive information, forge signatures, or bypass security mechanisms that rely on unpredictable random numbers.
What is the Exploitability of CVE-2020-36732?
Exploiting this insecure randomness vulnerability requires an attacker to understand the predictable pattern of the random number generation. The complexity of exploitation is moderate, as it involves reverse-engineering the generation logic or observing enough 'random' outputs to deduce the pattern. No specific authentication or privileges are typically required, but the attacker needs access to data or cryptographic operations that use the vulnerable random number generator. This can be exploited remotely if the cryptographic operations are performed on server-side and the outputs are observable or guessable. Lack of cryptographically strong random number generation is the primary risk factor, making keys or seeds vulnerable to prediction.
What are the Known Public Exploits?
| PoC Author | Link | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| No known exploits | ||
What are the Available Fixes for CVE-2020-36732?
Available Upgrade Options
- crypto-js
- <3.2.1 → Upgrade to 3.2.1
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Book a demoAdditional Resources
- https://security.snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-CRYPTOJS-548472
- https://github.com/brix/crypto-js/issues/254
- https://github.com/brix/crypto-js/compare/3.2.0...3.2.1
- https://github.com/brix/crypto-js/issues/256
- https://github.com/brix/crypto-js/issues/256
- https://github.com/brix/crypto-js/pull/257/commits/e4ac157d8b75b962d6538fc0b996e5d4d5a9466b
- https://github.com/brix/crypto-js
- https://github.com/brix/crypto-js/issues/254
- https://security.snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-CRYPTOJS-548472
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230706-0003/
What are Similar Vulnerabilities to CVE-2020-36732?
Similar Vulnerabilities: CVE-2020-8025 , CVE-2019-18861 , CVE-2019-15892 , CVE-2021-37713 , CVE-2023-45814
