CVE-2026-74846

Catalyst::Plugin::Authentication versions before 0.10029 for Perl allow timing attacks on stored passwords via eq comparisons in the legacy password verifier

Published Nov 3, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Catalyst::Plugin::Authentication versions before 0.10029 for Perl allow timing attacks on stored passwords via eq comparisons in the legacy password verifier.

CVE-2026-5091 was fixed in the realm-based verifier. The legacy verifier, used by the deprecated login method, compares clear-text passwords, crypt hashes and base64 digests with eq, so the comparison time depends on how many leading bytes match.

A remote attacker can use response-time differences to guess the stored password or hash.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade to Catalyst-Plugin-Authentication 0.10029 or later.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Perl
Perl catalyst::plugin::authentication
Vendors & Products Perl
Perl catalyst::plugin::authentication
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Catalyst::Plugin::Authentication versions before 0.10029 for Perl allow timing attacks on stored passwords via eq comparisons in the legacy password verifier. CVE-2026-5091 was fixed in the realm-based verifier. The legacy verifier, used by the deprecated login method, compares clear-text passwords, crypt hashes and base64 digests with eq, so the comparison time depends on how many leading bytes match. A remote attacker can use response-time differences to guess the stored password or hash.
Title Catalyst::Plugin::Authentication versions before 0.10029 for Perl allow timing attacks on stored passwords via eq comparisons in the legacy password verifier
Weaknesses CWE-208
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
CPANSec
Published
Updated
Nov 6, 2026, 6:42 PM
Reserved
Aug 17, 2026, 6:30 AM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Nov 3, 2026, 8:17 AM
Modified
Nov 6, 2026, 7:17 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Nov 3, 2026, 7:51 AM