In a research paper titled “<a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2002.06564.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Congestion Attacks in Payment Channel Networks</a>,” blockchain security researchers revealed a new vector attack that can result in the paralyzation of Bitcoin’s lightning network. The paper discusses the fundamental vulnerability that could arise in payment channel networks as part of the trustless multi-hop payment system. The researchers also reveal that Lightning Network can be disrupted with just less than half a Bitcoin.
<h2><strong>Three Mode of Attack Identified for Lightning Network</strong></h2>
Blockchain security researchers, Ayelet Mizrahi and Aviv Zohar presented three modes of attack for disrupting the Lightning Network.

The first mode of attack intends to lock as many high liquidity channels as possible for an extended period. The second attack looks at disconnecting as many pairs of nodes it can find, the third isolate the hubs from the rest of the network.

The report noted that as of October 2020, Bitcoin’s Lightning Network has more than 14.000 nodes, 37,000 channels, and a capacity of 1100 BTC.

To paralyze the channels, the attacker opens channels with the source and target of a route, and requests many small payments through this path, exhausting the number of simultaneously open available Hash Time-Locked Contracts (HTLCs). The attacker is both the source and destination of the transactions.

The final execution of the transactions can be severely delayed, potentially congesting the network. The attacker can then re-run the attack and lock the same path for an additional period of time by repeating the same procedure.
<h2><strong>Attackers Could Paralyze Lightning Network with Just 0.25 BTC</strong></h2>
The results of the research reveal that an attacker could paralyze the 830 BTC of liquidity in the Lightning Network for 3 days straight by spending just less than 0.25 BTC.

The researchers noted that it’s actually not possible to shut off the attack vector, as the nature of the <a href="https://www.cryptoknowmics.com/news/88-of-lightning-network-nodes-are-run-in-north-america-and-europe/">Lightning Network off-chain payment network</a> allows so.

The research paper also highlighted several ways to mitigate these attacks. However, it concludes that it isn’t entirely possible to stop such kinds of attacks due to the very design of the Lightning Network.

Researchers Reveals New Attack Vector Can Paralyze Lightning Network

Blockchain security researchers have revealed a new vector attack that can result in the paralyzation of Bitcoin’s lightning network.

Jafrin is a cryptocurrency journalist/researcher fascinated by the world of decentralization. She is hopeful towards blockchain’s innovation and its potential to reshape the world for good. Currently, she is bringing out the best of cryptosphere via covering the latest ins and outs of the blockchain space.

Researchers Reveals New Attack Vector Can Paralyze Lightning Network

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