LSD Attack: Exploiting Inconsistencies between Design and Implementation of Ethereum Protocols

Abstract

In the network layer of the Ethereum network, the Discv5 protocol is introduced to improve the node discovery process and enhance resistance to common P2P network attacks such as Sybil Attacks, Partition Attacks, and Eclipse Attacks. However, the practical effectiveness of the new security mechanisms introduced by the Discv5 protocol has not been evaluated through engineering assessments. In this paper, we identify inconsistencies between the design and implementation of the Discv5 protocol and propose a new attack pattern: the Leveraging Service Diversity (LSD) Attack. The LSD Attack targets networks where different services are indiscriminately mixed. Through detailed measurements of the Consensus Layer (CL) discovery network, we evaluate the impact of the LSD Attack on newly joined network nodes and on the services of honest nodes within the network. Our experiments demonstrate significant deviations between the Discv5 protocol’s current implementation and its original design, which can lead to a substantial reduction in the network’s security under the influence of service diversity. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the security implications of the Discv5 protocol and highlights the need for further evaluation and improvement of the network layer protocols in Ethereum.