delvingbitcoin
CVE-2024-38365 public disclosure (btcd `FindAndDelete` bug)
Posted on: October 15, 2024 03:35 UTC
In the realm of Bitcoin scripting, the signature mechanism does not necessitate a commitment to the scriptCode
when employing OP_CODESEPARATOR
for transactions pre-segwit.
This is elucidated through a sequence where a data push comprising the signature is followed by the placement of this signature on the stack. Subsequently, an OP_CODESEPARATOR
is introduced before the execution of OP_CHECKSIG
. The pivotal point here is the role of pbegincodehash
, which, in such scenarios, determines that the scriptCode
should exclusively encompass the OP_CHECKSIG
operation. This specification suggests a streamlined approach, rendering OP_CHECKSIG
as a fixed point in the verification process.
Furthermore, the operational mechanics within the Bitcoin Core's handling of OP_CHECKSIG
reveal its functionality of removing both the signature and pubkey from the stack. This operation underscores the distinctive behavior of OP_CODESEPARATOR
, which effectively acts as a null operation on the script stack. Such insights into the internals of Bitcoin scripting highlight the nuanced understanding required to grasp the implications of script execution and verification processes, particularly in the context of legacy transaction mechanisms predating SegWit's implementation.