CVE-2026-16615
Description
A flaw was found in librest. The PKCE implementation for OAuth authorization uses the GRand function from the GLib API, a cryptographically insecure pseudo-random number generator. Because the generated "code verifier" lacks sufficient cryptographic entropy, a malicious actor can reverse-engineer the pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) seed to predict or reconstruct the code verifier string, allowing an attacker to bypass PKCE protections and successfully impersonate the client during the OAuth 2.0 authorization flow.
Statement
To exploit this flaw, an attacker must be in a position to intercept the authorization code and reverse-engineer the pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) seed to reconstruct or predict the code verifier string. This allows the attacker to hold a valid access token and impersonate the user, access their protected data and perform actions on their behalf. Due to these reasons, this vulnerability has been rated with an important severity.
Mitigation
Red Hat has investigated whether a possible mitigation exists for this issue, and has not been able to identify a practical example. Please update the affected package as soon as possible.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 6.8 | N/A | 6.8 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | High |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | Required | N/A | Required |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Access Control
Technical Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism
If a PRNG is used for authentication and authorization, such as a session ID or a seed for generating a cryptographic key, then an attacker may be able to easily guess the ID or cryptographic key and gain access to restricted functionality.
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank Cole Blakley for reporting this issue.
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