CVE-2018-16115

9.1 CRITICAL 1% exploit odds Fix listed Other

What it is

Lightbend Akka 2.5.x before 2.5.16 allows message disclosure and modification because of an RNG error. A random number generator is used in Akka Remoting for TLS (both classic and Artery Remoting). Akka allows configuration of custom random number generators. For historical reasons, Akka included the AES128CounterSecureRNG and AES256CounterSecureRNG random number generators. The implementations had a bug that caused the generated numbers to be repeated after only a few bytes. The custom RNG implementations were not configured by default but examples in the documentation showed (and therefore implicitly recommended) using the custom ones. This can be used by an attacker to compromise the communication if these random number generators are enabled in configuration. It would be possible to eavesdrop, replay, or modify the messages sent with Akka Remoting/Cluster.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.
Exploit odds: 1.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2018-08-29 22:29 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 01:43 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 1.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 9.1 CRITICAL (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2018-08-29 22:29 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 01:43 UTC
Exploit probability: 1.2% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-338
Record status: Modified

Affected

Lightbend Akka < 2.5.16

Attack profile CVSS 3.0 · 9.1

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: None

Raw vector

CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

Is it in your code?

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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record