ECDSA Cracking Methods
Published: Apr 9, 2025
Last Updated: Apr 9, 2025
Authors:William J. Buchanan, Jamie Gilchrist, Keir Finlow-Bates
Abstract
The ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) is used in many blockchain networks for digital signatures. This includes the Bitcoin and the Ethereum blockchains. While it has good performance levels and as strong current security, it should be handled with care. This care typically relates to the usage of the nonce value which is used to create the signature. This paper outlines the methods that can be used to break ECDSA signatures, including revealed nonces, weak nonce choice, nonce reuse, two keys and shared nonces, and fault attack.