CVE-2020-8806 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Electric Coin Company Zcashd before 2.1.1-1 allows attackers to trigger consensus failure and double spending due to timestamp enforcement issues.

Understanding CVE-2020-8806

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Electric Coin Company Zcashd that could lead to consensus failure and double spending.

What is CVE-2020-8806?

CVE-2020-8806 is a security vulnerability in Zcashd that allows attackers to manipulate the consensus mechanism, potentially resulting in double spending.

The Impact of CVE-2020-8806

The vulnerability could lead to a situation where a valid chain is incorrectly rejected due to improper enforcement of timestamp requirements on block headers.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-8806

Electric Coin Company Zcashd before version 2.1.1-1 is affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Zcashd allows attackers to exploit timestamp requirements on block headers, leading to consensus failure and the possibility of double spending.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Electric Coin Company Zcashd
Vendor: Electric Coin Company
Versions affected: Before 2.1.1-1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can trigger consensus failure and double spending by exploiting the timestamp requirements on block headers.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-8806, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Zcashd to version 2.1.1-1 or later.
Monitor for any unusual transactions or consensus issues.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Zcashd to the latest version.
Implement network monitoring and anomaly detection mechanisms.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates for Zcashd to mitigate the risk of exploitation.