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Combined summary - Reiterating centralized coinjoin (Wasabi & Samourai) deanonymization attacks

Combined summary - Reiterating centralized coinjoin (Wasabi & Samourai) deanonymization attacks

The conversation delves into the intricacies of maintaining anonymity within cryptocurrency mixing services, pinpointing specific vulnerabilities and challenges that could compromise user privacy.

It elaborates on the necessity of a meticulous approach to blind signatures in mixing processes, citing a correction made in Wasabi 1 to prevent potential disruptions. The possibility of deanonymization through observation attacks is acknowledged, albeit with skepticism regarding their feasibility given the current client software protections.

A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to exploring how servers might covertly deanonymize users by manipulating UTXO placements in mixing rounds. This strategy is highlighted as a subtle yet potent risk, especially if a server can align targeted UTXOs with those under adversary control. The dialogue also touches upon Wasabi's logging practices concerning round IDs and the potential privacy risks emanating from mishandled logs. Despite some efforts towards mitigating these risks, such as log scrubbing and pre-publication of round IDs, concerns linger about their efficacy against history intersection attacks. Proposed measures like redundant queries and deterministic shuffling aim to bolster privacy and security, underscoring the ongoing efforts to navigate the complex landscape of user anonymity in mixing services.

Yuval Kogman's inquiries shed light on the methodological aspects of detecting system attacks, particularly the importance of consistent key usage and the potential for proactive or retrospective attack identification through diligent log management. The discourse raises critical questions about the ability to track and safeguard against malicious activities within the system, emphasizing the need for robust log management practices.

Furthermore, the critique extends to the foundational trust issues plaguing Wasabi & GingerWallet, alongside the CoinJoin protocols of both wallets and Samourai wallet, highlighting a deep-seated vulnerability to deanonymization. The discussion reflects on personal experiences with WabiSabi protocol development, abandoned due to fitness-for-purpose concerns, and scrutinizes the Whirlpool and WabiSabi protocols for allowing malicious coordinators to deanonymize transactions. This vulnerability, primarily linked to the manipulation of blind signing keys in Whirlpool and inconsistent round IDs in WabiSabi, showcases fundamental design flaws that undermine privacy assurances.

The narrative also examines the broader implications of these vulnerabilities, including poor coin selection practices, timing issues in input registrations, and Tor circuit management deficiencies. These factors collectively exacerbate the risk of deanonymization. Additionally, the use of JSON and HTTP introduces serialization variability that could further endanger user privacy. Economic incentives within the system, such as coordination fees and anonymous credential mechanisms, initially intended to ensure fair compensation, are critiqued for failing to prevent user fund thefts, reflecting a significant oversight in balancing privacy protection with financial security.

This summary encapsulates a multifaceted dialogue within the Bitcoin development community, illustrating the dynamic tension between advancing privacy-enhancing technologies and maintaining high standards of security and trust. It underscores the complexities involved in evolving cryptocurrency protocols to satisfy privacy-conscious users while addressing exploitation and misuse risks.

Discussion History

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Yuval KogmanOriginal Post
December 21, 2024 14:16 UTC
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January 6, 2025 13:07 UTC
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January 6, 2025 14:30 UTC
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January 7, 2025 15:56 UTC
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January 7, 2025 21:33 UTC
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