Fingerprinting nodes via addr requests

The discussion raises a significant point regarding the functionality of nTime within the Bitcoin address management system, suggesting that its ability to be refreshed could have unintended consequences on the network's address reputation mechanism. Specifically, there is an implication that the nTime attribute, when updated, might accelerate the process by which an address is deemed "terrible" following successive requests through the GETADDR command across different nodes in the network. This scenario posits a chain of requests where one node requests from another in sequence (e.g., B requests from C, A requests from B), potentially leading to a rapid degradation in the address's standing due to the frequent refreshes of nTime.

The underlying concern highlights a nuanced aspect of how peer-to-peer communication protocols in Bitcoin manage and evaluate the reliability of network addresses. By focusing on the mechanics of nTime refreshment as outlined in the linked GitHub repository, the discussion opens up a broader inquiry into whether this feature could inadvertently influence the perception of node reliability and trustworthiness through the lens of automated protocol interactions. The examination of such a mechanism is crucial for understanding the balance between dynamic network updates and the preservation of node reputation within decentralized systems like Bitcoin.