CVE-2018-12975 - Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)

Severity

50%

Complexity

99%

Confidentiality

48%

The random() function of the smart contract implementation for CryptoSaga, an Ethereum game, generates a random value with publicly readable variables such as timestamp, the current block's blockhash, and a private variable (which can be read with a getStorageAt call). Therefore, attackers can precompute the random number and manipulate the game (e.g., get powerful characters or get critical damages).

The random() function of the smart contract implementation for CryptoSaga, an Ethereum game, generates a random value with publicly readable variables such as timestamp, the current block's blockhash, and a private variable (which can be read with a getStorageAt call). Therefore, attackers can precompute the random number and manipulate the game (e.g., get powerful characters or get critical damages).

CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.5. CVSS Attack Vector: network. CVSS Attack Complexity: low. CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

CVSS 2.0 Base Score 5. CVSS Attack Vector: network. CVSS Attack Complexity: low. CVSS Vector: (AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N).

Demo Examples

Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)

CWE-338

Both of these examples use a statistical PRNG to generate a random number:


               
int accountID = random.nextInt();

               
int randNum = rand();

The random number functions used in these examples, rand() and Random.nextInt(), are not considered cryptographically strong. An attacker may be able to predict the random numbers generated by these functions. Note that these example also exhibit CWE-337 (Predictable Seed in PRNG).

Overview

First reported 6 years ago

2018-09-24 22:29:00

Last updated 6 years ago

2018-12-20 14:10:00

Affected Software

CryptoSaga

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