bitcoin-dev

A "Free" Relay Attack Taking Advantage of The Lack of Full-RBF In Core

A "Free" Relay Attack Taking Advantage of The Lack of Full-RBF In Core

Original Postby Antoine Riard

Posted on: July 24, 2024 00:42 UTC

In a recent communication regarding the imbuance mechanism pull request (PR) for Bitcoin Core, concerns were raised about potential vulnerabilities.

The critique focuses on the possibility of evading the imbuance mechanism through specific manipulations involving the commitment output script and amount collision. This issue suggests that the current implementation may not be as robust as required for ensuring the security and integrity of transactions within the Bitcoin network.

The discussion extends to the implications this vulnerability might have on the broader roadmap and proposals presented in various forums, including blog posts and the Bitcoin Optech newsletter. The concern is that the current state of the Bitcoin Core code does not support a reliable imbuance mechanism. This revelation brings into question the technical soundness of strategies and updates shared with the community and industry stakeholders who rely on these sources for accurate and forward-looking information about Bitcoin's development trajectory.

This dialogue underscores the importance of thorough review and vetting processes within open-source projects like Bitcoin Core. It highlights the need for ongoing scrutiny and dialogue among developers to address potential weaknesses in proposed enhancements to the system. The reference to the comments being accessible due to the public nature of the project encourages an inclusive approach to problem-solving, inviting more contributors to evaluate and contribute to the conversation around securing and improving Bitcoin's foundational technology.