CVE-2026-7178
Use of a Cryptographic Algorithm with Weak Mathematical Properties in Weak seed entropy in ML-KEM lattice key pair generation in BoringSSL PQC Lattice cryptographic engine
Executive Summary
CVE-2026-7178 is a high severity vulnerability affecting qbom. It is classified as CWE-1244. Ensure your systems and dependencies are patched immediately to mitigate exposure risks.
Precogs AI Insight
"Precogs AI evaluates quantum risk parameters, auditing key-generation processes and hybrid exchange logic to prevent Harvest Now, Decrypt Later exposures."
What is this vulnerability?
CVE-2026-7178 is categorized as a high Use of a Cryptographic Algorithm with Weak Mathematical Properties flaw with a CVSS base score of 7.1. Based on our vulnerability intelligence, this issue occurs when the application fails to securely handle untrusted data boundaries.
A security exposure has been identified in BoringSSL PQC Lattice cryptographic engine. Specifying as weak seed entropy in ml-kem lattice key pair generation in boringssl pqc lattice cryptographic engine, this vulnerability enables remote or local actors to exploit bounds or logical checks.
This architectural defect enables adversaries to bypass intended security controls, directly manipulating the application's execution state or data layer. Immediate strategic intervention is required.
Risk Assessment
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| CVSS Base Score | 7.1 (HIGH) |
| Vector String | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N |
| Published | February 22, 2025 |
| Last Modified | February 22, 2025 |
| Related CWEs | CWE-1244 |
Impact on Systems
✅ Decryption Risk: Intercepted network payloads can be decrypted retrospectively once quantum resources scale.
✅ Signature Forgery: Quantum factoring breaks code-signing credentials, letting attackers verify backdoored updates.
✅ Bypass of Verification: Session-negotiation parameters collapse, allowing unauthorized handshake bypasses.
How to Fix and Mitigate CVE-2026-7178
- Deploy Hybrid Cipher Suites: Configure TLS to negotiate hybrid classical-PQC exchanges (e.g., X25519 + Kyber/ML-KEM).
- Inventory Cryptography: Implement a Quantum Bill of Materials (QBOM) to audit key lengths and algorithm classes.
- Decommission RSA-2048: Upgrade standard asymmetric keys to RSA-4096 or ECC P-384.
Defending with Precogs AI
Precogs AI evaluates quantum risk parameters, auditing key-generation processes and hybrid exchange logic to prevent Harvest Now, Decrypt Later exposures.
Use Precogs to continuously scan your codebase, binaries, APIs, and infrastructure for this vulnerability class and related attack patterns. Our AI-powered detection engine combines static analysis with threat intelligence to identify exploitable weaknesses before attackers do.
Vulnerability Code Signature
Attack Data Flow
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Public-key cryptography algorithm type |
| Vector | Implementation of discrete log or factorization mathematics |
| Sink | Outbound secure handshake negotiation |
| Impact | Harvest Now, Decrypt Later attack vulnerability |
Vulnerable Code Pattern
# ❌ VULNERABLE: Using Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) which is broken by Shor's algorithm
from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric import ec
private_key = ec.generate_private_key(ec.SECP284R1())
Secure Code Pattern
# ✅ SECURE: Migrating to lattice-based post-quantum cryptography (PQC) like ML-KEM
private_key = generate_post_quantum_lattice_key()
How Precogs Detects This
Precogs AI identifies math properties susceptible to quantum factoring and flags them for lattice-based PQC replacement.