Antoine Riard identified a vulnerability that allowed for round-robin attacks. Theoretically, it could affect an important component of the network – hash-locked time-locked contracts (HTLC). Attackers could disrupt the normal flow of transactions, which would cause delays or problems in processing transactions. As a result, this could lead to the loss of funds passing through Lightning Network channels.
Rear noted that the hackers did not have time to exploit the vulnerability to carry out real attacks. No similar attacks have been detected in the past 10 months. Rear noted that the consequences of this vulnerability could extend beyond the Lightning Network. The bug was capable of affecting other Bitcoin-based protocols and applications, including peer-to-peer coin exchange.
Lightning Network developers have already taken measures to resolve the error. The fixes have been deployed to the major Lightning Network implementations: Eclair, LND, and C-Lightning. However, Rear doubts that these measures will be effective against more advanced attacks. Rear, who first discovered the vulnerability, announced that he had stopped participating in the development of the Lightning network and its implementation.
Let us recall that in July, the Lightning Network was integrated by the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, to reduce fees and increase the speed of Bitcoin transactions. Marketplace Coinbase is also exploring ways to integrate the Lightning Network for faster, more cost-effective transactions.
Source: Bits
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