M1: Zero private key byte arrays in finally blocks#916
Merged
Conversation
Ensure private key bytes extracted via .ToBytes() are zeroed immediately after constructing the Key object, using CryptographicOperations.ZeroMemory in a finally block to guarantee cleanup even on exceptions. Files: - InvestorTransactionActions: zero investorPrivateKey bytes - SeederTransactionActions: zero privateKey bytes - SpendingTransactionBuilder: zero founderPrivateKey bytes This reduces the window during which raw key material exists in memory, mitigating memory-scraping attacks and crash dump exposure.
dangershony
approved these changes
Jul 4, 2026
This file contains hidden or bidirectional Unicode text that may be interpreted or compiled differently than what appears below. To review, open the file in an editor that reveals hidden Unicode characters.
Learn more about bidirectional Unicode characters
Sign up for free
to join this conversation on GitHub.
Already have an account?
Sign in to comment
Add this suggestion to a batch that can be applied as a single commit.This suggestion is invalid because no changes were made to the code.Suggestions cannot be applied while the pull request is closed.Suggestions cannot be applied while viewing a subset of changes.Only one suggestion per line can be applied in a batch.Add this suggestion to a batch that can be applied as a single commit.Applying suggestions on deleted lines is not supported.You must change the existing code in this line in order to create a valid suggestion.Outdated suggestions cannot be applied.This suggestion has been applied or marked resolved.Suggestions cannot be applied from pending reviews.Suggestions cannot be applied on multi-line comments.Suggestions cannot be applied while the pull request is queued to merge.Suggestion cannot be applied right now. Please check back later.
Summary
Zero private key byte arrays immediately after use via
CryptographicOperations.ZeroMemoryinfinallyblocks.Problem
When converting
AngorKeyto NBitcoinKeyvianew Key(privateKey.ToBytes()), the intermediate byte array containing raw private key material was never zeroed. It remained in managed memory until garbage collected, exposing it to memory-scraping attacks and crash dumps.Solution
Wrap the
new Key(bytes)call in a try/finally that zeros the byte array:csharp var keyBytes = privateKey.ToBytes(); Key key; try { key = new Key(keyBytes); } finally { CryptographicOperations.ZeroMemory(keyBytes); }Files Changed
BuildAndSignRecoverReleaseFundsTransactionSignInvestorRecoveryTransactionsTesting
All 154 shared tests pass.