secp256k1-native is a native C secp256k1 implementation for Ruby. In affected native builds, native constant-time scalar multiplication through `Point#mul` or `scalar_multiply_ct` can leak timing information about a secret scalar when compiled by a toolchain that reconstructs branchless selection into a branch. The `Montgomery ladder` uses `uint256_select` with an all-zeros or all-ones mask, but affected GCC builds at `-O2` recover the original condition and emit secret-dependent `je` or `jne` jumps whose timing correlates with scalar bits. This defeats the assumption behind the 0.17.0 `jp_add_internal` infinity-branch fix. A consumer must multiply a secret private key or nonce in a context where an attacker can observe timing; repeated measurements can statistically recover scalar bits. The defect is in the compiled binary, so source review or `ctgrind` on a non-reconstructing toolchain may miss it. GCC 14.3.0, 15.1.0, and 15.2.0 reproduced the branch reconstruction, and `extconf.rb` appends `-O2`. Tested GCC versions through 12.4.0 used bitwise operations and GCC 13.3.0 used constant-time `cmov`; the pure-Ruby path is not affected by this flaw and separately makes no constant-time claim. GCC 16 and clang were untested, and point releases, targets, and flag combinations were not exhaustively bisected. `Earlier pre-0.17.0 versions had different constant-time issues rather than this introduced select idiom.` Version 0.18.0 contains the verified fix. The advisory's broad pre-0.18.0 guidance also covers earlier, different constant-time issues; whether this CVE groups those issues or only the select idiom introduced in 0.17.0 remains unresolved.
Fix
Nothing published yet: no patch, vendor advisory or mitigation reference on NVD, no vendor advisory in the News for this CVE, not in CISA's KEV, no fixed package version. BaselineWatch does not guess at one.
Change history 1
- First seenCVSS 5.9 · sgbettNVD modified 2026-10-30 22:48
Affected (CPE criteria) 0
NVD has not attached CPE configurations yet.
References 5
- https://github.com/sgbett/secp256k1-native/security/advisories/GHSA-vp2j-gqfm-r3cf x_refsource_confirm
- https://github.com/sgbett/secp256k1-native/pull/32 x_refsource_misc
- https://github.com/sgbett/secp256k1-native/commit/a89bea1617a2d063c6545ad44565dc22098c880e x_refsource_misc
- https://github.com/sgbett/secp256k1-native/blob/master/docs/advisories/0001-compiler-reconstructed-ct-branch.md x_refsource_misc
- https://github.com/sgbett/secp256k1-native/releases/tag/v0.18.0 x_refsource_misc