CVE-2024-48930

secp256k1-node vulnerable to private key extraction over ECDH

HIGH
8.7
CVSS Score
Published: October 21, 2024 at 03:41 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 07:59 AM UTC
2 products affected across 2 vendorsSECP256K1 NodeSECP256K1 Node

Using secp256k1-node by cryptocoinjs?

Get instant alerts when new vulnerabilities affect secp256k1-node - before attackers find them.

Real-time alertsTrack your software stackFree plan available
Severity
HIGH8.7
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.4%
SSVC
PoC

Description

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.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 3.8.1v < 4.0.4= 5.0.0
Affected range stops below 3.8.1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 4.0.4, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
v < 3.8.14.0.0 ≤ v < 4.0.44.0.05.0.0
Affected range stops below 3.8.1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 4.0.4, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet, and no fixed version or vendor advisory is recorded against it.

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCPoCAutomatablePartial impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

8.7HIGHGitHub_M
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusDEFERRED
CWE
CWE-354

Get alerted

Stop reading CVE feeds looking for your own stack

Track the products you run and VulnTracker tells you when a new CVE affects them — with what is known about fixing it, and nothing about the rest.

Free plan, no card