CVE-2026-5086
Timing Attack Vulnerability in Crypt::SecretBuffer Perl Module
Publication date: 2026-04-13
Last updated on: 2026-05-06
Assigner: CPANSec
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| nerdvana | crypt | to 0.019 (exc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-208 | Two separate operations in a product require different amounts of time to complete, in a way that is observable to an actor and reveals security-relevant information about the state of the product, such as whether a particular operation was successful or not. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
The recommended immediate step to mitigate this vulnerability is to upgrade Crypt::SecretBuffer to version 0.019 or later.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
The provided information does not specify how CVE-2026-5086 affects compliance with common standards and regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability affects Crypt::SecretBuffer versions before 0.019 for Perl and is related to timing attacks.
If Crypt::SecretBuffer is used to store and compare plaintext passwords, differences in the time it takes to perform these operations can be exploited by an attacker to guess the secret password.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
The vulnerability can allow an attacker to infer secret information, such as plaintext passwords, by measuring timing discrepancies during password comparison.
This could lead to unauthorized access if an attacker successfully guesses passwords based on timing information.