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CVE-2026-44040

Full vulnerability record from the local CVENow database.

Description

UltraVNC through 1.8.2.2 uses a cryptographically weak pseudo-random number generator to produce VNC authentication challenge bytes. In rfb/vncauth.c:119-129, the vncRandomBytes() function seeds libc rand() with time(0) + getpid() + rand() and generates a 16-byte challenge. The combined seed space is approximately 31 bits (libc rand() internal state) and is entirely determined by publicly-observable values (wall-clock time and process ID). An attacker who can observe the authentication exchange can enumerate the seed space and predict the challenge within seconds, enabling forgery or offline brute-forcing of responses. Note: on Windows, the active code path may use vncEncryptBytes2.cpp which calls CryptGenRandom; reachability on shipped Windows binaries requires compile-graph verification and is under investigation.

Severity
MEDIUM
CVSS score
6.5 (v3.1)
Vulnerability status
Modified
Source identifier
33c584b5-0579-4c06-b2a0-8d8329fcab9c
Published
2026-07-01 05:16:20.897000
Last modified
2026-10-25 17:10:00.197000
View original CVE JSON
{
  "id": "CVE-2026-44040",
  "sourceIdentifier": "33c584b5-0579-4c06-b2a0-8d8329fcab9c",
  "published": "2026-07-01T05:16:20.897",
  "lastModified": "2026-10-25T17:10:00.197",
  "vulnStatus": "Modified",
  "cveTags": [],
  "descriptions": [
    {
      "lang": "en",
      "value": "UltraVNC through 1.8.2.2 uses a cryptographically weak pseudo-random number generator to produce VNC authentication challenge bytes. In rfb/vncauth.c:119-129, the vncRandomBytes() function seeds libc rand() with time(0) + getpid() + rand() and generates a 16-byte challenge. The combined seed space is approximately 31 bits (libc rand() internal state) and is entirely determined by publicly-observable values (wall-clock time and process ID). An attacker who can observe the authentication exchange can enumerate the seed space and predict the challenge within seconds, enabling forgery or offline brute-forcing of responses. Note: on Windows, the active code path may use vncEncryptBytes2.cpp which calls CryptGenRandom; reachability on shipped Windows binaries requires compile-graph verification and is under investigation."
    },
    {
      "lang": "es",
      "value": "UltraVNC hasta la versión 1.8.2.2 utiliza un generador de números pseudoaleatorios criptográficamente débil para producir bytes de desafío de autenticación VNC. En rfb/vncauth.c:119-129, la función vncRandomBytes() inicializa libc rand() con time(0) + getpid() + rand() y genera un desafío de 16 bytes. El espacio de semillas combinado es de aproximadamente 31 bits (estado interno de libc rand()) y está completamente determinado por valores públicamente observables (tiempo de reloj de pared y ID de proceso). Un atacante que puede observar el intercambio de autenticación puede enumerar el espacio de semillas y predecir el desafío en segundos, lo que permite la falsificación o el ataque de fuerza bruta sin conexión de las respuestas. Nota: en Windows, la ruta de código activa puede usar vncEncryptBytes2.cpp que llama a CryptGenRandom; la accesibilidad en los binarios de Windows distribuidos requiere verificación del grafo de compilación y está bajo investigación."
    }
  ],
  "affected": [
    {
      "source": "33c584b5-0579-4c06-b2a0-8d8329fcab9c",
      "affectedData": [
        {
          "vendor": "uvnc",
          "product": "UltraVNC",
          "defaultStatus": "unaffected",
          "modules": [
            "winvnc",
            "vncviewer"
          ],
          "versions": [
            {
              "version": "0",
              "lessThanOrEqual": "1.8.2.2",
              "versionType": "custom",
              "status": "affected"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "metrics": {
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        "type": "Secondary",
        "cvssData": {
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          "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N",
          "baseScore": 4.8,
          "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM",
          "attackVector": "NETWORK",
          "attackComplexity": "HIGH",
          "privilegesRequired": "NONE",
          "userInteraction": "NONE",
          "scope": "UNCHANGED",
          "confidentialityImpact": "LOW",
          "integrityImpact": "LOW",
          "availabilityImpact": "NONE"
        },
        "exploitabilityScore": 2.2,
        "impactScore": 2.5
      },
      {
        "source": "[email protected]",
        "type": "Primary",
        "cvssData": {
          "version": "3.1",
          "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N",
          "baseScore": 6.5,
          "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM",
          "attackVector": "NETWORK",
          "attackComplexity": "LOW",
          "privilegesRequired": "NONE",
          "userInteraction": "NONE",
          "scope": "UNCHANGED",
          "confidentialityImpact": "LOW",
          "integrityImpact": "LOW",
          "availabilityImpact": "NONE"
        },
        "exploitabilityScore": 3.9,
        "impactScore": 2.5
      }
    ],
    "ssvcV203": [
      {
        "source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0",
        "ssvcData": {
          "timestamp": "2026-07-01T12:44:56.012420Z",
          "id": "CVE-2026-44040",
          "options": [
            {
              "exploitation": "none"
            },
            {
              "automatable": "no"
            },
            {
              "technicalImpact": "partial"
            }
          ],
          "role": "CISA Coordinator",
          "version": "2.0.3"
        }
      }
    ]
  },
  "weaknesses": [
    {
      "source": "33c584b5-0579-4c06-b2a0-8d8329fcab9c",
      "type": "Secondary",
      "description": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "CWE-338"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "configurations": [
    {
      "nodes": [
        {
          "operator": "OR",
          "negate": false,
          "cpeMatch": [
            {
              "vulnerable": true,
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:uvnc:ultravnc:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "versionEndIncluding": "1.8.2.2",
              "matchCriteriaId": "593F7EC1-0922-4652-817A-7D57A0F1210D"
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          ]
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  ],
  "references": [
    {
      "url": "https://github.com/ultravnc/UltraVNC",
      "source": "33c584b5-0579-4c06-b2a0-8d8329fcab9c",
      "tags": [
        "Product"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "https://uvnc.com/",
      "source": "33c584b5-0579-4c06-b2a0-8d8329fcab9c",
      "tags": [
        "Product",
        "Release Notes"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.securin.io/zero-days/cve-2026-44040-libc-rand-weak-rng-vnc-auth-challenge-ultravnc",
      "source": "33c584b5-0579-4c06-b2a0-8d8329fcab9c"
    }
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}