Minerva timing attack on P-256 in python-ecdsa
python-ecdsa has been found to be subject to a Minerva timing attack on the P-256 curve. Using the ecdsa.SigningKey.sign_digest() API function and timing signatures an attacker can leak the internal nonce which may allow for private key discovery. Both ECDSA signatures, key generation, and ECDH operations are affected. ECDSA signature verification is unaffected. The python-ecdsa project considers side channel attacks out of scope for the project and there is no planned fix.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | ecdsa | all versions | no fix |
References
- https://github.com/tlsfuzzer/python-ecdsa/security/advisories/GHSA-wj6h-64fc-37mp
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-23342
- https://github.com/tlsfuzzer/python-ecdsa
- https://github.com/tlsfuzzer/python-ecdsa/blob/master/SECURITY.md
- https://minerva.crocs.fi.muni.cz
- https://securitypitfalls.wordpress.com/2018/08/03/constant-time-compare-in-python
- https://pypi.org/project/ecdsa
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-wj6h-64fc-37mp
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-203, CWE-208, CWE-385- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
ecdsa- Disclosed
- 22.01.2024
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 15:17
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2026-1325 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-wj6h-64fc-37mp - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: ecdsa
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 3
- First → latest
- 01.2020 03.2026
- Without a fix
- 1
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 1
- High 1
- Medium 1
Disclosures per year
- 2020: 1
- 2021: 0
- 2022: 0
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 1
-
Minerva timing attack on P-256 in python-ecdsa this entry
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