diff --git a/core/vm/contracts.go b/core/vm/contracts.go
index 2a4b097af4..83e1f68552 100644
--- a/core/vm/contracts.go
+++ b/core/vm/contracts.go
@@ -585,6 +585,10 @@ var (
 // runBn256Pairing implements the Bn256Pairing precompile, referenced by both
 // Byzantium and Istanbul operations.
 func runBn256Pairing(input []byte) ([]byte, error) {
+	// Allow at most 4 inputs
+	if len(input) > 4*192 {
+		return nil, errBadPairingInput
+	}
 	// Handle some corner cases cheaply
 	if len(input)%192 > 0 {
 		return nil, errBadPairingInput
diff --git a/core/vm/testdata/precompiles/bn256Pairing.json b/core/vm/testdata/precompiles/fail-bn256Pairing.json
similarity index 100%
rename from core/vm/testdata/precompiles/bn256Pairing.json
rename to core/vm/testdata/precompiles/fail-bn256Pairing.json