CVE-2026-11625 in Bytes::Random::Secure
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2026
Bytes::Random::Secure versions through 0.29 for Perl share internal state across forked processes.
When an object is initialised before forking, or when the functional interface is used, then the internal state for the PRNG is shared across processes and identical random streams will be produced.
Secrets generated in multiprocess applications are predictable across processes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2026
The vulnerability in Bytes::Random::Secure versions through 0.29 represents a critical cryptographic weakness that stems from improper handling of pseudorandom number generator state management in forked process environments. This issue manifests when Perl applications utilize the module for generating cryptographic secrets, particularly in multiprocess architectures where the parent process initializes the random number generator before invoking fork operations. The core technical flaw lies in the module's failure to properly isolate the internal random number generator state between parent and child processes, creating a scenario where all forked processes inherit identical PRNG states.
This vulnerability directly impacts cryptographic security by enabling predictable secret generation across multiple processes, fundamentally undermining the randomness guarantees that cryptographic systems depend upon. When an object is instantiated in the parent process before forking occurs, or when the functional interface is employed without proper state management, the shared internal state results in deterministic random sequences being generated by each child process. The implications extend beyond simple predictability to encompass complete compromise of cryptographic security assumptions, as attackers can reproduce the same random streams across different processes given knowledge of the fork timing and initial state.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability affects any Perl application that employs Bytes::Random::Secure in multiprocess environments such as web servers using preforking models, background job processors, or any application architecture that relies on process forking for parallel execution. The impact is particularly severe in security-sensitive contexts where the module is used to generate encryption keys, session identifiers, tokens, or other cryptographic materials. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-330 Use of Insufficiently Random Values and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1583.001 for creating or modifying files with malicious content, though more specifically relates to credential access through weak randomness exploitation.
The recommended mitigations include upgrading to version 0.30 or later where proper fork safety mechanisms have been implemented, ensuring that random number generator state is properly reseeded in child processes after forking, or implementing explicit state isolation between parent and child processes. Organizations should also consider alternative cryptographic libraries that provide better process isolation guarantees, such as those implementing proper reseeding strategies upon fork operations or using system-level entropy sources that are not shared across processes. Additionally, application developers should implement thorough testing of their multiprocess applications to detect potential randomness issues and ensure that cryptographic materials generated in forking environments maintain their security properties.