Investigating and mitigating blockchain poisoning attacks

Abstract

With the burgeoning adoption of smart contracts and the intrinsic anonymity that blockchain technology provides, the past few years have witnessed an exponential surge in the deployment of blockchain platforms for managing crypto assets. While Ether stands as a paragon of blockchains equipped with smart contract capabilities, its noteworthy to mention that such blockchains present a blank canvas in the form of a data list, dedicated for unbridled program storage. This vacant space, though pivotal for various operations, can become a potential Achilles heel. Specifically, if this repository gets tainted with malicious data, the repercussions can reverberate across the entire blockchain, disrupting its core functions. The research in focus shines a spotlight on a particularly insidious threat, termed blockchain poisoning attack. Through this stratagem, malevolent actors can, with minimal expense, embed detrimental files within the data space, thereby extensively polluting the blockchain. This isnt just a theoretical hazard; its practical implications are stark and can jeopardize the integrity of countless transactions. In a commendable feat of investigative rigor, the research meticulously decoded the modus operandi behind these blockchain poisoning attacks. By employing a multi-pronged research approach, encompassing in-depth studies and iterative inquiries, it successfully deconstructed the exact techniques that malefactors employ.