CVE-2024-48930CWE-354

secp256k1-node vulnerable to private key extraction over ECDH

High · published October 21, 2024

CVSS v4.0
8.7
EPSS
0%
Percentile
33.8
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

secp256k1-node is a Node.js binding for an Optimized C library for EC operations on curve secp256k1. In `elliptic`-based version, `loadUncompressedPublicKey` has a check that the public key is on the curve. Prior to versions 5.0.1, 4.0.4, and 3.8.1, however, `loadCompressedPublicKey` is missing that check. That allows the attacker to use public keys on low-cardinality curves to extract enough information to fully restore the private key from as little as 11 ECDH sessions, and very cheaply on compute power. Other operations on public keys are also affected, including e.g. `publicKeyVerify()` incorrectly returning `true` on those invalid keys, and e.g. `publicKeyTweakMul()` also returning predictable outcomes allowing to restore the tweak. Versions 5.0.1, 4.0.4, and 3.8.1 contain a fix for the issue.

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v4.0
8.7 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
EPSS
0.00406 · 33.8th percentile
Weakness
CWE-354 · Improper Validation of Integrity Check Value
Published
2024-10-21T15:41Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 21 OCT 15:41Z
    secp256k1-node vulnerable to private key extraction over ECDH
    cvelistv5