nimiq-primitives: Unchecked Return Value
CVE-2026-34065 is a high-severity unchecked return value vulnerability in nimiq-primitives from Nimiq, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected nimiq-primitives versions: < 1.3.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.37% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Nimiq Proof-of-stake to 1.3.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nimiq | nimiq-primitives | < 1.3.0 | Not stated |
| Nimiq | Nimiq Proof-of-stake | before 1.3.0 | 1.3.0 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
nimiq-primitives contains primitives (e.g., block, account, transaction) to be used in Nimiq's Rust implementation. Prior to version 1.3.0, an untrusted p2p peer can cause a node to panic by announcing an election macro block whose `validators` set contains an invalid compressed BLS voting key. Hashing an election macro header hashes `validators` and reaches `Validators::voting_keys()`, which calls `validator.voting_key.uncompress().unwrap()` and panics on invalid bytes. The patch for this vulnerability is included as part of v1.3.0. No known workarounds are available.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Unchecked Return Value
The product does not check the return value from a method or function.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is expected.
- For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
- Ensure that you account for all possible return values from the function.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Recent Unchecked Return Value vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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