Bitcoin Core Software Update Aims for Speed and Security Patches

In brief

• Developers are targeting October 10 for the final release.
• The update speeds up some block checks and changes a transaction format used by wallets.
• Security fixes address malicious wallet names and excessive server memory use.

The software that lets users independently verify Bitcoin payments is getting an update aimed at speeding up those checks and fixing security flaws, with a release targeted for October.

Bitcoin Core 32.0 entered release-candidate testing on Monday, according to the project’s schedule. Developers are aiming for October 10 to deliver the finished version, though testing could change that timeline.

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Bitcoin Core lets computers verify Bitcoin transactions and blocks. The update mainly affects node operators and developers who use the software to run wallets and other services.

According to the draft release notes, the update can speed up block checks by reading database information in parallel, without changing how quickly Bitcoin produces blocks. Four wallet commands will also default to a newer format for exchanging partially signed transactions between wallets and signing devices, though applications can still request the older version.

A security fix prevents crafted wallet names from triggering commands on a node’s computer. The flaw affected non-Windows systems where an authenticated user could create wallets and the walletnotify feature was configured to run commands when wallet transactions occurred.