A survey of attacks on blockchain systems using a layer-based approach

IF 4.4 2区计算机科学 Q1 COMPUTER SCIENCE, HARDWARE & ARCHITECTURE

Computer Networks Pub Date : 2025-04-13 DOI:10.1016/j.comnet.2025.111274

Joydip Das , Syed Ashraf Al Tasin , Md. Forhad Rabbi , Md. Sadek Ferdous

{"title":"A survey of attacks on blockchain systems using a layer-based approach","authors":"Joydip Das , Syed Ashraf Al Tasin , Md. Forhad Rabbi , Md. Sadek Ferdous","doi":"10.1016/j.comnet.2025.111274","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Blockchain technology is very popular nowadays as it ensures decentralization, transparency, and immutability. However, despite its inherent security features, blockchain-based systems have been frequently targeted by adversaries, raising concerns about their trustworthiness. This paper presents a comprehensive study of 24 major attacks against blockchain systems, categorized in a structured, layer-based approach. The study systematically examines the feasibility, underlying incentives, and underlying vulnerabilities exploited in these attacks. We categorize attacks across four blockchain layers, namely the Network, Consensus, Application, and Meta-Application layers, illustrating the diverse nature of security threats. Furthermore, we propose a systematic analysis that enables an in-depth evaluation of attacks, their interconnections, and cascading effects across different layers. This research intends to contribute to the development of robust security strategies that can mitigate vulnerabilities and increase confidence in decentralized systems by providing a structured technique for analyzing blockchain security concerns. Ultimately, this research underscores the critical need for continuous advancements in blockchain security mechanisms to ensure the resilience of blockchain based systems against emerging and evolving threats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50637,"journal":{"name":"Computer Networks","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 111274"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Computer Networks","FirstCategoryId":"94","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389128625002427","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"COMPUTER SCIENCE, HARDWARE & ARCHITECTURE","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Blockchain technology is very popular nowadays as it ensures decentralization, transparency, and immutability. However, despite its inherent security features, blockchain-based systems have been frequently targeted by adversaries, raising concerns about their trustworthiness. This paper presents a comprehensive study of 24 major attacks against blockchain systems, categorized in a structured, layer-based approach. The study systematically examines the feasibility, underlying incentives, and underlying vulnerabilities exploited in these attacks. We categorize attacks across four blockchain layers, namely the Network, Consensus, Application, and Meta-Application layers, illustrating the diverse nature of security threats. Furthermore, we propose a systematic analysis that enables an in-depth evaluation of attacks, their interconnections, and cascading effects across different layers. This research intends to contribute to the development of robust security strategies that can mitigate vulnerabilities and increase confidence in decentralized systems by providing a structured technique for analyzing blockchain security concerns. Ultimately, this research underscores the critical need for continuous advancements in blockchain security mechanisms to ensure the resilience of blockchain based systems against emerging and evolving threats.

查看原文本刊更多论文

使用基于层的方法对区块链系统进行攻击的调查

区块链技术现在非常流行，因为它确保了去中心化、透明性和不变性。然而，尽管具有固有的安全特性，但基于区块链的系统经常成为对手的攻击目标，引发了对其可信度的担忧。本文对针对区块链系统的24种主要攻击进行了全面研究，并以结构化、基于层的方法进行了分类。该研究系统地检查了这些攻击的可行性、潜在动机和潜在漏洞。我们将攻击分为四个区块链层，即网络层、共识层、应用层和元应用层，以说明安全威胁的多样性。此外，我们提出了一个系统的分析，可以深入评估攻击，它们的相互联系，以及跨不同层的级联效应。本研究旨在通过提供分析区块链安全问题的结构化技术，为开发健壮的安全策略做出贡献，这些策略可以减轻漏洞并增加对分散系统的信心。最后，本研究强调了区块链安全机制不断发展的迫切需要，以确保基于区块链的系统能够抵御新出现和不断发展的威胁。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Computer Networks 工程技术-电信学

CiteScore

10.80

自引率

3.60%

发文量

434

审稿时长

8.6 months

期刊介绍： Computer Networks is an international, archival journal providing a publication vehicle for complete coverage of all topics of interest to those involved in the computer communications networking area. The audience includes researchers, managers and operators of networks as well as designers and implementors. The Editorial Board will consider any material for publication that is of interest to those groups.