Contra-∗: Mechanisms for countering spam attacks on blockchain's memory pools. (1st April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saad, Muhammad; Kim, Joongheon; Nyang, DaeHun; Mohaisen, David
• Is Part Of: Journal of network and computer applications. Volume 179(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01
• Subjects: Blockchains -- DDoS attacks -- Memory pool; Microcomputers -- Periodicals; Computer networks -- Periodicals; Application software -- Periodicals; Micro-ordinateurs -- Périodiques; Réseaux d'ordinateurs -- Périodiques; Logiciels d'application -- Périodiques; Application software; Computer networks; Microcomputers; Periodicals; 004.05; 004
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnca.2020.102971
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1084-8045

Abstract

Abstract: Blockchain-based cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, have seen on the rise in their popularity and value, making them a target to several forms of Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks, and calling for a better understanding of their attack surface from both security and distributed systems standpoints. In this paper, and in the pursuit of understanding the attack surface of blockchains, we explore a new form of attack that can be carried out on the memory pools (mempools), and mainly targets blockchain-based cryptocurrencies. We study this attack on Bitcoin's mempool and explore the attack's effects on transactions fee paid by benign users. To counter this attack, this paper further proposes Contra-∗, a set of countermeasures utilizing fee, age, and size (thus, Contra-F, Contra-A, and Contra-S) as prioritization mechanisms. Contra-∗ optimize the mempool size and help in countering the effects of DoS attacks due to spam transactions. We evaluate Contra-∗ by simulations and analyze their effectiveness under various attack conditions.