Invalid Curve Attack in openpgp
Versions of openpgp prior to 4.3.0 are vulnerable to an Invalid Curve Attack. The package's implementation of ECDH fails to verify the validity of the communication partner's public key. The package calculates the resulting key secret based on an altered curve instead of the specified elliptic curve. Attackers may exfiltrate the victim's private key by choosing the altered curve. An attack requires the attacker being able to initiate message decryption and record the result. Furthermore the victim's key must offer an ECDH public key.
Recommendation
Upgrade to version 4.3.0 or later.
If you are upgrading from a version <4.0.0 it is highly recommended to read the High-Level API Changes section of the openpgp 4.0.0 release: https://github.com/openpgpjs/openpgpjs/releases/tag/v4.0.0
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openpgp | < 4.3.0 | 4.3.0 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-9155
- https://github.com/openpgpjs/openpgpjs/pull/853
- https://github.com/openpgpjs/openpgpjs/pull/853/commits/7ba4f8c655e7fd7706e8d7334e44b40fdf56c43e
- https://github.com/openpgpjs/openpgpjs/releases/tag/v4.3.0
- https://sec-consult.com/en/blog/advisories/multiple-vulnerabilities-in-openpgp-js
- https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-OPENPGP-460225
- https://www.bsi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/BSI/Publications/Studies/Mailvelope_Extensions/Mailvelope_Extensions_pdf.html#download=1
- https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1159
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154191/OpenPGP.js-4.2.0-Signature-Bypass-Invalid-Curve-Attack.html
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-327- Platform
- npm
- Package
openpgp- Disclosed
- 23.08.2019
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-77jf-fjjf-xcww - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: openpgp
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 6
- First → latest
- 08.2019 05.2025
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- High 4
- Medium 2
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 3
- 2020: 0
- 2021: 0
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 1
- 2026: 0
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