P256 Seed Vulnerability: Claude AI Cracks a Cryptographic Time Bomb
A P256 cryptographic seed was found to have been generated by a 1990s C PRNG library seeded with a 1997 timestamp — a devastating vulnerability. Claude reportedly found it and was so shocked it thought it was in a simulation.
What we know
An account on X RTs the discovery that a P256 seed — which underlies serious cryptographic infrastructure — was generated by a 90s PRNG C library seeded with a timestamp from 1997. Another account on X summarized the irony: '30 years of djb paranoia and moon math for `srand(time(NULL))`.' another account on X separately RTs 'CLAUDE FOUND THE SEEDS' with 483 RTs, suggesting Claude AI's involvement in uncovering or verifying the vulnerability was a viral moment in crypto security circles.
By the Global Eye 24 desk, with AI assistance. Updated as the story develops. Spot an error? Write to corrections@globaleye24.com.