CVE-2020-26896 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-26896, a vulnerability in LND's invoice database prior to 0.11.0-beta, allowing fund theft and compromising victim node privacy. Find mitigation steps and prevention measures.
LND (Lightning Network Daemon) prior to 0.11.0-beta had a vulnerability in its invoice database that could lead to a loss of funds and compromise victim node privacy.
Understanding CVE-2020-26896
LND had a vulnerability that allowed a malicious peer to intercept and steal funds intended for a victim node.
What is CVE-2020-26896?
Prior to version 0.11.0-beta, LND had a vulnerability where it released preimages without proper verification, enabling fund theft by intercepting HTLC outputs.
The Impact of CVE-2020-26896
The vulnerability could result in a loss of funds in specific scenarios and weaken the privacy of the victim's receiver.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-26896
LND's vulnerability in handling HTLC outputs and preimage verification.
Vulnerability Description
LND did not verify outgoing off-chain HTLC settlements before releasing preimages, allowing malicious interception of funds.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: n/a
- Vendor: n/a
- Versions affected: Prior to 0.11.0-beta
Exploitation Mechanism
- Malicious peers intercept HTLC intended for victims
- Probe preimages through colluding relayed HTLC
- Steal intercepted HTLC
Mitigation and Prevention
Steps to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2020-26896.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade LND to version 0.11.0-beta or newer
- Monitor for any unauthorized fund transfers
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software to latest versions
- Implement network monitoring for unusual activities
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches and updates promptly to address known vulnerabilities