CVE-2013-4442: Password Generator (aka Pwgen) before 2.07 uses weak pseudo generated numbers when /dev/urandom is unavailable

Q: How do I fix CVE-2013-4442?

pwgen: upgrade to newer than 2.06. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2013-4442 being exploited?

CVE-2013-4442 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2013-4442 affect?

CVE-2013-4442 affects pwgen. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Password Generator (aka Pwgen) before 2.07 uses weak pseudo generated numbers when /dev/urandom is unavailable, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to guess the numbers.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2013-4442?

Priority 38/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0UPGRADE

CVE-2013-4442 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting pwgen. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Password Generator (aka Pwgen) before 2.07 uses weak pseudo generated numbers when /dev/urandom is unavailable, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to guess the numbers.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	2.2% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-310
Published	2014-12-19
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: pwgen project

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-12-19 15:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pwgen project pwgen UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.06

Fixed in: newer than 2.06

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pwgen || rpm -q pwgen || pwgen --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.06 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pwgen

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade pwgen

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2013-4442?

pwgen: upgrade to newer than 2.06. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2013-4442 being exploited?

CVE-2013-4442 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2013-4442 affect?

CVE-2013-4442 affects pwgen. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Password Generator (aka Pwgen) before 2.07 uses weak pseudo generated numbers when /dev/urandom is unavailable, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to guess the numbers.

How urgent is CVE-2013-4442?

Priority 38/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2013-4440 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE Password Generator (aka Pwgen) before 2.07 generates weak non-tty passwords, which makes it easier for context

References

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