Survey of Blockchain Key Technologies and Existing Problems

doi:10.3778/j.issn.1002-8331.2107-0404

Abstract

Abstract: Blockchain is a distributed database technology developed on the basis of digital encryption and comparison. The blockchain system has the characteristics of decentralized，non-tampering，high autonomy，distributed consensus，etc. It provides a solution to the problem of distributed consistency without third-party supervision. With the rapid development of blockchain technology，blockchain has become more popular in the application field of weak-trust platforms，but it also faces the challenges of its own system vulnerabilities and security attacks. This article starts with the research background of the blockchain and the development trend of vulnerabilities，summarizes and analyzes the key technical principles of the blockchain and its advantages and disadvantages，the technical vulnerabilities and security attacks that exist in the blockchain system，and summarizes and categorizes the types of technical vulnerabilities and vulnerability attacks. It points out that grammatical error，environmental configuration and graphical interface errors are the top three vulnerabilities in the blockchain system. Vulnerability attacks pose a greatest security threat to the blockchain system. It must be paid attention to and prevented in order to protect the future blockchain system. It also provides reference for technological improvement and development.

Key words: blockchain, consensus mechanism, decentralized, smart contact, vulnerability attacks

摘要： 区块链是基于数字加密货币基础上发展而来的分布式数据库技术，区块链系统具有去中心化、不可篡改、高度自治、分布共识等特点，为无需第三方监管实现分布式一致性问题提供了解决方案。随着区块链技术快速发展，区块链在弱信任平台应用领域更加普及，但也面临着自身系统漏洞和安全攻击的挑战。从区块链研究背景及漏洞发展趋势入手，总结分析了区块链关键技术原理及其优缺点、区块链系统存在的技术漏洞和安全攻击，并对技术漏洞和漏洞攻击类型进行归纳分类，指出语法错误、环境配置和图形界面错误是区块链系统中排前三的漏洞缺陷，漏洞攻击对区块链系统构成极大的安全威胁，务必加以重视和防范，以期对未来区块链技术改进发展提供参考与借鉴。

关键词: 区块链, 共识机制, 去中心化, 智能合约, 漏洞攻击

LIU Shuangyin, LEI Moyixi, WANG Lu, SUN Chuanheng, XU Longqin, CAO Liang, FENG Dachun, ZHENG Jianhua, LI Jingbin. Survey of Blockchain Key Technologies and Existing Problems[J]. Computer Engineering and Applications, 2022, 58(3): 66-82.

刘双印, 雷墨鹥兮, 王璐, 孙传恒, 徐龙琴, 曹亮, 冯大春, 郑建华, 李景彬. 区块链关键技术及存在问题研究综述[J]. 计算机工程与应用, 2022, 58(3): 66-82.

References

[1] 刘敖迪，杜学绘，王娜，等.区块链技术及其在信息安全领域的研究进展[J].软件学报，2018，29（7）：2092-2115.
LIU A D，DU X H，WANG N，et al.Research progress of blockchain technology and its application in information security[J].Journal of Software，2018，29（7）：2092-2115.
[2] NAKAMOTO S.Bitcoin：a peer-to-peer electronic cash system[EB/OL].[2009].https：//bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf.
[3] WALPORT M.Distributed ledger technology：beyond blockchain[EB/OL].[2018?10?05].https：//www.gov.uk/government/news/distributed-ledger-technology-beyond-block-chain.
[4] Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.Chinese blockchain technology and application development white paper 2016[EB/OL].[2018?10?05].http：//www.fullrich.com/Uploads/article/?le/2016/1020/580866e374069.pdf.
[5] 赛迪报告：《2019—2020中国专利白皮书》.[EB/OL].https：//baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1684115088555403329&wfr=spider&for=pc.
[6] 袁勇，王飞跃.区块链技术发展现状与展望[J].自动化学报，2016，42（4）：481-494.
YUAN Y，WANG F Y.Blockchain：the state of the art and future trends[J].Acta Automatica Sinica，2016，42（4）：481-494.
[7] CREYDT M，FISCHER M.Blockchain and more-Algorithm driven food traceability[J].Food Control，2019，105：45-51.
[8] OLSEN P，BORIT M.The components of a food traceability system[J].Trends in Food Science & Technology，2018，77：143-149.
[9] YUAN Y，WANG F Y.Blockchain and cryptocurrencies：model，techniques，and applications[J].IEEE Transactions on Systems，Man，and Cybernetics：Systems，2018，48（9）：1421-1428.
[10] WAN Z，LO D，XIA X，et al.Bug characteristics in blockchain systems：a large-scale empirical study[C]//2017 IEEE/ACM 14th International Conference on Mining Software Repositories（MSR），Buenos Aires，Argentina，2017：413-424.
[11] MAESA D D F，MORI P.Blockchain 3.0 applications survey[J].Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing，2020，138：99-114.
[12] 钱建平，吴文斌，杨鹏.新一代信息技术对农产品追溯系统智能化影响的综述[J].农业工程学报，2020，36（5）：182-191.
QIAN J P，WU W B，YANG P.Review on agricultural products smart traceability system affected by new generation information technology[J].Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering，2020，36（5）：182-191.
[13] 国家信息安全漏洞共享平台[EB/OL].（2020）.https：//www.cnvd.org.cn.
China national vulnerability database[EB/OL].（2020）.https：//www.cnvd.org.cn.
[14] WAN Z，LO D，XIA X，et al.Bug characteristics in blockchain systems：a large-scale empirical study[C]//IEEE/ACM International Conference on Mining Software Repositories，2017.
[15] MS A，MRJ B，NSS C，et al.Blockchain and smart contract for access control in healthcare：a survey，issues and challenges，and open issues[J].Journal of Network and Computer Applications，2021，178（1）：10-29.
[16] WONG D R，BHATTACHARYA S，BUTTE A J.Prototype of running clinical trials in an untrustworthy environment using blockchain[J].Nature Communications，2019，10（1）：1-8.
[17] 王芳，赵洪，马嘉悦，等.数据科学视角下数据溯源研究与实践进展[J].中国图书馆学报，2019，45（5）：79-100.
WANG F，ZHAO H，MA J Y，et al.Research and practice progress of data provenance from the perspective of data science[J].Journal of Library Science in China，2019，45（5）：79-100.
[18] 张奥，白晓颖.区块链隐私保护研究与实践综述[J].软件学报，2020，31（5）：1406-1434.
ZHANG A，BAI X Y.Survey of research and practices on blockchain privacy protection[J].Journal of Software，2020，31（5）：1406-1434.
[19] YU R G，WANG J R，XU T Y，et al.Authentication with block-chain algorithm and text encryption protocol in calculation of social network[J].IEEE Access，2017，5：24944-24951.
[20] HALAMKA J D，LIPPMAN A，EKBLAW A，et al.The potential for blockchain to transform electronic health records[J].Harvard Business Review，2017，3（3）：1-5.
[21] YANG X，LI M，YU H，et al.A trusted blockchain-based traceability system for fruit and vegetable agricultural products[J].IEEE Access，2021，9：36282-36293.
[22] 魏晓旭，郑佳.我国区块链研究现状及热点分析[J].高技术通讯，2019，29（11）：1116-1123.
WEI X X，ZHENG J.Research status and hot spot analysis of block-chain in China[J].Chinese High Technology Letters，2019，29（11）：1116-1123.
[23] LIU Y，WANG K，YUN L，et al.LightChain：a lightweight blockchain system for industrial Internet of things[J].IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics，2019，15（6）：3571-3581.
[24] TEAM D.Blockchains tutorials[EB/OL].[2020-08-10].https：//data-flflair.training/blogs/types-of-blockchain/.
[25] MELO C，DANTAS J，PEREIRA P，et al.Distributed application provisioning over Ethereum-based private and permissioned blockchain：availability modeling，capacity，and costs planning[J].The Journal of Supercomputing，2021，77：9615-9641.
[26] BHAT S A，SOFI I B，CHI C Y.Edge computing and its convergence with blockchain in 5G and beyond：security，challenges，and opportunities[J].IEEE Access，2020，8：205340-205373.
[27] 王学龙，张璟.P2P关键技术研究综述[J].计算机应用研究，2010，27（3）：801-805.
WANG X L，ZHANG J.Survey on peer-to-peer key technologies[J].Application Research of Computers，2010，27（3）：801-805.
[28] ZHENG W，ZHENG Z，CHEN X，et al.NutBaaS：a blockchain-as-a-service platform[J].IEEE Access，2019，7：134422-134433.
[29] NAIR P R，DORAI D R.Evaluation of performance and security of proof of work and proof of stake using blockchain[C]//2021 Third International Conference on Intelligent Communication Technologies and Virtual Mobile Networks（ICICV），Tirunelveli，India，2021：279-283.
[30] 黄根，邹一波，徐云.区块链中Merkle树性能研究[J].计算机系统应用，2020，29（9）：237-243.
HUANG G，ZOU Y B，XU Y.Performance analysis and research of merkle trees with blockchain[J].Computer Systems & Applications，2020，29（9）：237-243.
[31] RAY P P，KUMAR N，DASH D.BLWN：blockchain-based lightweight simplified payment verification in IoT-assisted e-healthcare[J].IEEE Systems Journal，2020（99）：1-12.
[32] 袁勇，倪晓春，曾帅，等.区块链共识算法的发展现状与展望[J].自动化学报，2018，44（11）：2011-2022.
YUAN Y，NI X C，ZENG S，et al.Blockchain consensus algorithms：the state of the art and future trends[J].Acta Automatica Sinica，2018，44（11）：2011-2022.
[33] NGUYEN G T，KIM K.A survey about consensus algorithms used in blockchain[J].Journal of Information Processing Systems，2018，14（1）：101-128.
[34] 郭上铜，王瑞锦，张凤荔.区块链技术原理与应用综述[J].计算机科学，2021，48（2）：271-281.
GUO S T，WANG R J，ZHANG F L.Summary of principle and application of blockchain[J].Computer Science，2021，48（2）：271-281.
[35] DWORK C，NAOR M.Pricing via processing or combatting junk mail[C]//Proceedings of the 12th Annual International Cryptology Conference on Advances in Cryptology.Santa Barbara，California，USA：Springer-Verlag，1992：139-147.
[36] JAKOBSSON M，JUELS A.Proofs of work and bread pudding protocols（extended abstract）[C]//Secure Information Networks.Boston，MA，Germany：Springer，1999：258-272.
[37] CASTRO M，LISKOV B.Practical byzantine fault tolerance[C]//Proceedings of the 3rd Symposium on Operating Systems Design and Implementation.New Orleans，USA：USENIX Association，1999：173-186.
[38] Proof of stake[EB/OL].[2018-11-11].https：//en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Proof of Stake.
[39] SUNNY K，SCOTT N.PPcoin：peer-to-peer CryptoCurrency with proof-of-stake[EB/OL].[2012-08-19].https：//decred.org/research/king.
[40] GERVAIS A，KARAME G O，WüST K，et al.On the security and performance of proof of work blockchains[C]//Proceedings of the 2016 ACM SIGSAC Conference on Computer Communications Security.New York，NY，USA：Association for Computing Machinery，2016：3-16.
[41] LARIMER D.Delegated proof-of-stake（DPoS）[EB/OL].
http：//bitsharestalk.org/index.php?topic=4009.60.
[42] JAVED I T，ALHARBI F，MARGARIA T，et al.Qureshi，PETchain：a blockchain-based privacy enhancing technology[J].IEEE Access，2021，9：41129-41143.
[43] 孟吴同，张大伟.Hyperledger Fabric共识机制优化方案[J].自动化学报，2021，47（8）：1885-1898.
MENG W T，ZHANG D W.Optimization scheme for hyperledger fabric consensus mechanism[J].Acta Automatica Sinica，2021，47（8）：1885-1898.
[44] ANDROULAKI E，MANEVICH Y，MURALIDHARAN S，et al.Hyperledger fabric：a distributed operating system for permissioned blockchains[C]//The Thirteenth EuroSys Conference，2018.
[45] WANG S，HUANG C，LI J，et al.Decentralized construction of knowledge graphs for deep recommender systems based on blockchain-powered smart contracts[J].IEEE Access，2019，7：136951-136961.
[46] VACCA A，SORBO A D，VISAGGIO C A，et al.A systematic literature review of blockchain and smart contract development：techniques，tools，and open challenges[J].Journal of Systems and Software，2021，174：110891-110909.
[47] LUU L，CHU D H，OLICKEL H，et al.Making smart contracts smarter[C]//Proceedings of the 2016 ACM SIGSAC Conference on Computer and Communications Security（CCS’16），Association for Computing Machinery，New York，NY，USA，2016：254-269.
[48] 王璞巍，杨航天，孟佶，等.面向合同的智能合约的形式化定义及参考实现[J].软件学报，2019，30（9）：2608-2619.
WANG P W，YANG H T，MENG J，et al.Formal definition for classical smart contracts and reference implementation[J].Journal of Software，2019，30（9）：2608-2619.
[49] SAYEED S，MARCO-GISBERT H，CAIRA T.Smart contract：attacks and protections[J].IEEE Access，2020，8：24416-24427.
[50] Ethereum.Solidity[EB/OL].[2021-04-09].https：//docs.soliditylang.org/en/latest/.
[51] LIU L，ZHOU S，HUANG H，et al.From technology to society：an overview of blockchain-based DAO[J].arXiv：2011.14940，2020.
[52] MCCORRY P，HEILMAN E，MILLER A.Atomically trading with roger：gambling on the success of a hardfork[C]//European Symposium on Research in Computer Security International Workshop on Data Privacy Management Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Technology，2017.
[53] NEWSOME J，SHI E，SONG D X，et al.The sybil attack in sensor networks：analysis & defenses[J].IEEE Access，2004：259-268.
[54] KARAME G O，ANDROULAKI E，CAPKUN S.Double-spending fast payments in Bitcoin[C]//Proceedings of the 2012 ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security，2012.
[55] FRANZè G，TEDESCO F，FAMULARO D.Resilience against replay attacks：a distributed model predictive control scheme for networked multi-agent systems[J].IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica，2021，8（3）：628-640.
[56] MOUSTAPHA B A.The effect of propagation delay on the dynamic evolution of the Bitcoin blockchain[J].Digital Communications and Networks，2020，6（2）：157-166.
[57] LIU Y Z，HEI Y M，XU T G，et al.An evaluation of uncle block mechanism effect on ethereum selfish and stubborn mining combined with an eclipse attack[J].IEEE Access，2020，8：17489-17499.
[58] KOCHER P C.Timing attacks on implementations of Diffie-hellman，RSA，DSS，and other systems[C]//Proceedings of the 16th Annual International Cryptology Conference on Advances in Cryptology，1999.
[59] HABIB M，MEHMOOD T，ULLAH F，et al.Performance of wimax security algorithm（the comparative study of RSA encryption algorithm with ECC encryption algorithm）[C]//2009 International Conference on Computer Technology and Development，2009：108-112.
[60] 杨波.现代密码学[M].北京：清华大学出版社，2017.
YANG B.Cyberspace security[M].Beijing：Tsinghua University Press，2017.
[61] ABULKASIM H，MASHATAN A，GHOSE S.Secure multiparty quantum key agreement against collusive attacks[J].Scientific Reports，2021，11：1-8.
[62] 万武南，陈豪，陈俊，等.区块链的椭圆曲线密码算法侧信道安全分析[J].应用科学学报，2019，37（2）：57-66.
WAN W N，CHEN H，CHEN J，et al.Side channel security analysis of elliptic curve cryptography of blockchain[J].Journal of Applied Sciences，2019，37（2）：57-66.
[63] GOBIN L.A refined power analysis attack on elliptic curve cryptosystems[C]//Proceeding of Public Key Cryptography.[S.l.]：Springer-Verlag，2003：199-211.
[64] FEDOROV A K，KIKTENKO E O，LVOVSKY A I，et al.Quantum computers put blockchain security at risk[J].Nature，2018，568：465-467.
[65] RAUSSENDORF R，BRIEGEL H J.A one-way quantum computer[J].Physical Review Letters，2001，86（22）：5188-5191.
[66] YE C，LI G，CAI H，et al.Fukuda，analysis of security in blockchain：case study in 51%-attack detecting[C]//2018 5th International Conference on Dependable Systems and Their Applications（DSA），Dalian，China，2018：15-24.
[67] MOTTER A E，NISHIKAWA T，LAI Y C.Range-based attack on links in scale-free networks：are long-range links responsible for the small-world phenomenon?[J].Physical Review E Statistical Nonlinear & Soft Matter Physics，2002，66（6）：065103.
[68] MIRKOVIC J，PRIER G，REIHER P.Attacking DDoS at the source[C]//IEEE International Conference on Network Protocols.[S.l.]：IEEE Computer Society，2002：312-321.
[69] 约翰·范本特姆，刘奋荣.图博弈的设计与模态逻辑的发展[J].清华大学学报（哲学社会科学版），2019，34（2）：131-139.
VAN BENTHEM J，LIU F R.Interaction between graph game design and modal logics[J].Journal of Tsinghua University（Philosophy and Social Sciences），2019，34（2）：131-139.
[70] 王甜甜，于双元，徐保民.基于策略梯度算法的工作量证明中挖矿困境研究[J].计算机应用，2019，39（5）：1336-1342.
WANG T T，YU S Y，XU B M.Research on proof of work mining dilemma based on policy gradient algorithm[J].Journal of Computer Applications，2019，39（5）：1336-1342.
[71] 韩璇，袁勇，王飞跃.区块链安全问题：研究现状与展望[J].自动化学报，2019，45（1）：206-225.
HAN X，YUAN Y，WANG F Y.Security problems on blockchain：the state of the art and future trends[J].Acta Automatica Sinica，2019，45（1）：206-225.
[72] GILIAZOV R R.Blockchain protocol study[J].Modern Information Technologies and IT-Education，2019，15（1）：190-199.
[73] XU J J.Are blockchains immune to all malicious attacks?[J].Financial Innovation，2016，2（1）：1-9.
[74] FURNELL S M，BAKHSHI T，PAPADAKI M，et al.Social engineering：assessing vulnerabilities in practice[J].Information Management & Computer Security，2013，17（1）：53-63.
[75] ZENG S，NI X C，YUAN Y，et al.A bibliometric analysis of blockchain research[C]//Proceedings of the 29th IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium（IV 18）.Changshu，China：IEEE，2018：102-107.
[76] 武继刚，刘同来，李境一，等.移动边缘计算中的区块链技术研究进展[J].计算机工程，2020（8）：1-13.
WU J G，LIU T L，LI J Y.Research progress on blockchain technology in mobile edge computing[J].Computer Engineering，2020（8）：1-13.
[77] MEIKLEJOHN S，POMAROLE M，JORDAN G，et al.A fistful of bitcoins：characterizing payments among men with no names[C]//Proceedings of the 2013 Conference on Internet Measurement，2013：127-140.
[78] 张中霞，王明文.区块链钱包方案研究综述[J].计算机工程与应用，2020，56（6）：28-38.
ZHANG Z X，WANG M W.Survey on blockchain wallet scheme[J].Computer Engineering and Applications，2020，56（6）：28-38.
[79] DU W，DENG J，HAN Y S，et al.A pairwise key pre-distribution scheme for wireless sensor networks[J].ACM Transactions on Information and System Security，2003，8（2）：228-258.
[80] ESCHENAUER L，GLIGOR V D.A key-management scheme for distributed sensor networks[C]//Proceedings of the 9th ACM Conference on Computer and Communication Security，2002：41-47.
[81] SRI P，BHASKARI D L.Blockchain technology for secure medical data sharing using consensus mechanism[J].Materials Today：Proceedings，2020：1-8.
[82] ELIYAN L F， PIETRO R D.DoS and DDoS attacks in software defined networks：a survey of existing solutions and research challenges-science direct[J].Future Generation Computer Systems，2021，122：149-171.
[83] SHOEB A，CHITHRALEKHA T.Resource management of switches and controller during saturation time to avoid DDoS in SDN[C]//Proceedings of 2nd IEEE International Conference on Engineering and Technology（ICETECH 2016），2016：152-157.
[84] GIOTIS K，ANDROULIDAKIS G，MAGLARIS V.A scalable anomaly detection and mitigation architecture for legacy networks via an OpenFlow middlebox[J].International Journal of Security and Communication Networks，2015，9（13）：1958-1970.
[85] 刘子州，程晓荣，王治博.区块链中区块截留攻击的研究与分析[J].计算机工程与应用：1-16[2021-07-15].http：//kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/11.2127.tp.20201231.1104.006.html.
LIU Z Z，CHENG X R，WANG Z B.Research and analysis of block with holding attack for blockchain[J].Computer Engineering and Applications：1-16[2021-07-15].http：//kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/11.2127.tp.20201231.1104.
006.html.
[86] 张茹.基于博弈论的区块截留攻击缓解策略的研究[D].呼和浩特：内蒙古大学，2019.
ZHANG R.Research of block with holding attack mitigation strategy based on game theory[D].Hohhot：Inner Mongolia University，2019.
[87] ZHAO C，WANG Q，LIU X，et al.Reinforcement learning based a non-zero-sum game for secure transmission against smart jamming[J].Digital Signal Processing，2021，112（12）：103002.
[88] CAI X，WANG B，CAO Z，et al.Game control of attack and defense in cyber physical system[J].Procedia Computer Science，2021，187（10）：488-494.
[89] ATZEI N，BARTOLETTI M，CIMOLI T.A survey of attacks on ethereum smart contracts（SoK）[C]//International Conference on Principles of Security & Trust.Berlin，Heidelberg：Springer，2017.
[90] KUMAR A，VARADARAJAN V，KUMAR A，et al.Microprocessors and Microsystems xxx（xxxx）xxx Black hole attack detection in vehicular ad-hoc network using secure AODV routing algorithm[J].Microprocessors and Microsystems，2020，80.
[91] RAJENDRAN N，JAWAHAR P K，PRIYADARSHINI R.Cross centric intrusion detection system for secure routing over black hole attacks in MANETs[J].Computer Communications，2019，148：129-135.