CVE-2024-42459 in Elliptic Package
Summary
by MITRE • 08/02/2024
In the Elliptic package 6.5.6 for Node.js, EDDSA signature malleability occurs because there is a missing signature length check, and thus zero-valued bytes can be removed or appended.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42459 affects the Elliptic package version 6.5.6 in Node.js environments, specifically targeting EdDSA (Edwards-curve Digital Signature Algorithm) signature verification mechanisms. This issue stems from insufficient validation of signature lengths during the cryptographic verification process, creating a malleability flaw that can be exploited by adversaries to manipulate signature structures without breaking the underlying cryptographic security. The vulnerability resides in the package's handling of EdDSA signatures where the implementation fails to properly validate the length constraints of signature components, allowing for the insertion or removal of zero-valued bytes that do not alter the mathematical validity of the signature.
The technical flaw manifests through a missing signature length check that should validate the expected format and size of EdDSA signatures before processing them. In cryptographic systems, signature malleability occurs when an attacker can modify a valid signature to produce another valid signature, potentially leading to unintended behavior in applications that rely on signature immutability. The specific weakness allows for zero-valued bytes to be removed from the beginning or appended to the end of signature components without invalidating the signature's mathematical correctness. This behavior violates the expected deterministic nature of cryptographic signatures and creates opportunities for protocol-level attacks where signature manipulation can be used to bypass validation checks or alter transaction properties in blockchain systems, digital identity verification, or secure communication protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple signature manipulation, as it can compromise the integrity of systems that depend on EdDSA signatures for authentication, authorization, or transaction validation. Applications using the affected Elliptic package may experience unexpected behavior when processing signatures, potentially allowing malicious actors to craft altered signatures that pass validation while appearing legitimate to the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in blockchain environments where EdDSA signatures are used for transaction authentication, as it could enable double-spending attacks or unauthorized transaction modifications. Additionally, systems relying on digital signatures for code integrity verification, API authentication, or secure data transmission may be vulnerable to attacks that exploit this malleability to bypass security controls or manipulate signed data without detection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-42459 should focus on immediate package updates to versions that address the signature length validation issue, while also implementing additional runtime checks to validate signature structures before processing. Organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of all systems using the affected Elliptic package to identify potential attack vectors and ensure proper signature validation mechanisms are in place. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) and CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) categories, and may be exploited using techniques described in ATT&CK tactics such as T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) to manipulate signature-based authentication systems. Security teams should also consider implementing signature monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining awareness of related vulnerabilities in cryptographic libraries that may exhibit similar malleability characteristics.