CVE-2020-26896: High severity pytorch lightning vulnerability

Published Oct 21, 2020
·
Updated

Prior to 0.11.0-beta, LND (Lightning Network Daemon) had a vulnerability in its invoice database. While claiming on-chain a received HTLC output, it didn't verify that the corresponding outgoing off-chain HTLC was already settled before releasing the preimage. In the case of a hash-and-amount collision with an invoice, the preimage for an expected payment was instead released. A malicious peer could have deliberately intercepted an HTLC intended for the victim node, probed the preimage through a colluding relayed HTLC, and stolen the intercepted HTLC. The impact is a loss of funds in certain situations, and a weakening of the victim's receiver privacy.

Affected Software

6 affected components
Lightning Network Daemon Project Lightning Network Daemon<0.11.0
Lightning Network Daemon Project Lightning Network Daemon=0.11.0
Lightning Network Daemon Project Lightning Network Daemon=0.11.0-beta_rc1
Lightning Network Daemon Project Lightning Network Daemon=0.11.0-beta_rc2
Lightning Network Daemon Project Lightning Network Daemon=0.11.0-beta_rc3
Lightning Network Daemon Project Lightning Network Daemon=0.11.0-beta_rc4

Event History

Oct 21, 2020
CVE Published
via MITRE·02:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:00 AM
Description

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2020-26896?

CVE-2020-26896 is considered a high-severity vulnerability due to its potential to allow incorrect handling of HTLC preimages.

2

How do I fix CVE-2020-26896?

To fix CVE-2020-26896, upgrade LND to version 0.11.0 or later.

3

What type of systems are affected by CVE-2020-26896?

CVE-2020-26896 affects versions of the Lightning Network Daemon prior to 0.11.0, including beta releases.

4

What is the main issue described in CVE-2020-26896?

The main issue in CVE-2020-26896 is the failure to verify that off-chain HTLCs were settled before releasing HTLC preimages.

5

Does CVE-2020-26896 affect both on-chain and off-chain transactions?

Yes, CVE-2020-26896 impacts both on-chain and off-chain transactions by introducing risks during the settlement process.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203