HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2017-12842
HIGH

CVE-2017-12842

CWE-20Published: March 16, 2020· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Bitcoin Core before 0.14 allows an attacker to create an ostensibly valid SPV proof for a payment to a victim who uses an SPV wallet, even if that payment did not actually occur. Completing the attack would cost more than a million dollars, and is relevant mainly only in situations where an autonomous system relies solely on an SPV proof for transactions of a greater dollar amount.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2017-12842 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in full integrity compromise (data manipulation), with a CVSS base score of 7.5.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

bitcoin1 product(s)
bitcoin core
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

ADVISORYhttps://bitslog.wordpress.com/2018/06/09/leaf-node-weakness-in-bitcoin-merkle-tree-design/
ADVISORYhttps://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Common_Vulnerabilities_and_Exposures
ADVISORYhttps://lists.linuxfoundation.org/pipermail/bitcoin-dev/2019-February/016697.html
ADVISORYhttps://bitslog.wordpress.com/2018/06/09/leaf-node-weakness-in-bitcoin-merkle-tree-design/
ADVISORYhttps://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Common_Vulnerabilities_and_Exposures
ADVISORYhttps://lists.linuxfoundation.org/pipermail/bitcoin-dev/2019-February/016697.html

All References (6)

→
https://bitslog.wordpress.com/2018/06/09/leaf-node-weakness-in-bitcoin-merkle-tree-design/Third Party Advisory
→
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Common_Vulnerabilities_and_ExposuresVendor Advisory
→
https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/pipermail/bitcoin-dev/2019-February/016697.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
https://bitslog.wordpress.com/2018/06/09/leaf-node-weakness-in-bitcoin-merkle-tree-design/Third Party Advisory
→
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Common_Vulnerabilities_and_ExposuresVendor Advisory
→
https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/pipermail/bitcoin-dev/2019-February/016697.htmlThird Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2017-12842
CVSS Score7.5 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-20
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedMar 16, 2020

Related CVEs (CWE-20)

CVE-2007-6493
10.0
CVE-2026-48316
10.0
CVE-2008-4428
10.0
CVE-2026-16117
10.0
CVE-2007-4915
10.0
CVE-2002-1358
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2017-12842 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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