CryptoCMD CryptoCMD
Bitcoin

71% of exposed Lightning LND nodes still lack year-old security fixes

A new preprint estimates most flagged LND nodes were still running affected releases in mid-October, long after patches shipped.

Alex Rivera

· 2 min read

Advertising disclosure: we may earn a commission when you join an operator via links on this page, at no cost to you. This never dictates our ratings. How we make money

71% of exposed Lightning LND nodes still lack year-old security fixes
Image via CryptoSlate

Key takeaways

  • An October 21 preprint covers a cohort of exposed LND nodes on the Bitcoin Lightning Network.
  • About 71% of that cohort was still on affected release lines at the October 13 cutoff.
  • The security fixes in question are roughly a year old.
  • Only the headline figure is confirmed here; details of the flaws and the sample size aren't.

Seventy-one percent. That's how much of a flagged group of Lightning nodes hasn't installed fixes that are about a year old. A preprint dated October 21 puts that share of an exposed LND cohort on affected release lines as of its October 13 cutoff.

What the study says

LND is one of the most widely used Lightning node implementations. The preprint took a group of LND nodes it identified as exposed, then checked which software versions they were running. Seven in ten were still on release lines that carry the vulnerabilities.

That's the core finding. What we don't have: the specific flaws, the size of the cohort, or how the researchers picked the nodes. So treat the 71% as an estimate from a preprint. It's not a peer-reviewed count of the whole network.

Why it matters

Lightning is a network of independently run nodes. Nobody pushes updates to them. Operators upgrade themselves, or they don't. A year is a long time to sit on known fixes.

Run a node? Check your LND version against the project's release notes and upgrade. Only use Lightning through a wallet or service? Ask your provider which software it runs and how fast it patches. Funds in open channels are what's at stake.

The open question is why so many operators lag. Neglect? Abandoned hobby nodes? Upgrades that hurt too much? The answer decides whether a nudge fixes this or whether it takes better tooling.

Source: CryptoSlate

Top Crypto Casinos Right Now

🇺🇸 Showing sites that accept players from United States Change country

Advertising disclosure: we may earn a commission when you join an operator via links on this page, at no cost to you. This never dictates our ratings. How we make money

BetNow
8.0/10

125% crypto bonus (code PROMOBUCK2)

More info

Why we chose it: A US-facing book that pays a premium for crypto deposits: 125% against 100% for cash, with fee-free deposits across five coins.

Sports betting 24/7 live chat
Accepts BTC ETH BCH LTC USDT
Payout time
Within 24 hours (crypto)
KYC
Required

Restricted countries: Australia, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Central African Republic, Congo - Brazzaville, Eritrea, France, Guinea-Bissau and 16 more.

BetNow Casino
7.9/10

200% casino bonus (code CASINO200)

More info

Why we chose it: BetNow's casino floor with the biggest match bonus we list. The 200% headline deserves a careful read of the code terms behind it.

24/7 live chat VIP program
Accepts BTC ETH BCH LTC USDT
Payout time
Within 24 hours (crypto)
KYC
Required

Restricted countries: Australia, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Central African Republic, Congo - Brazzaville, Eritrea, France, Guinea-Bissau and 16 more.

The Online Casino
7.8/10

400% crypto welcome bonus up to $1,000 (code MAXOUT)

More info

Why we chose it: A US-oriented casino that turns away only New Jersey. The cashier takes crypto, but the site publishes fewer specifics than any operator we list.

24/7 live chat
KYC
Required

Restricted countries: New Jersey (US).

#Bitcoin #Security #Lightning Network #Lnd

Alex Rivera

Alex covers crypto markets and trading, testing every platform hands-on before writing about it.

Related News