The Implementation of BIP 62: A Review of Ethereum’s Address Hash Function
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has been a pioneer in implementing advanced cryptographic techniques to secure its decentralized applications (dApps). One of these crucial components is the address hash function, specifically BIP 62, which addresses the issue of malleability. This article will delve into the current state of implementation and explore how much of BIP 62 has been adopted by the Ethereum network.
What is BIP 62?
BIP 62, also known as “Dealing with Malleability,” was introduced in April 2017 as a protocol to address the problem of malleable non-DER encoded ECDSA signatures. This function allows for more complex cryptographic operations on the Ethereum network while maintaining security and usability.
The Problem of Malleability
Malleability refers to the ability of an attacker to create a forged digital signature that mimics an existing one, with slight modifications (e.g., only changing the hash or the data). In traditional cryptography, malleable signatures can be created by modifying only the input data, making them particularly appealing for attacks like smart contract manipulation.
BIP 62: A Solution to Malleability
The BIP 62 protocol addresses this problem by introducing a set of rules and constraints that limit the number of possible non-standard size type (NIST) hash functions. Specifically:
- Non-DER encoded ECDSA signatures: Only NIST’s SHA-512, SHA-384, SHA-256, DSA (Digital Signature Algorithm), and Ed25519 hashes are allowed for these types of signatures.
- Non-push operations in scriptSig: This section restricts the size of push operations to 4 bytes.
- Zero-padded number pushes
: This rule limits the length of zero-padded numbers pushed from within a scriptSig.
- Inherent functions and constants: Certain inherent functions and constants (like 0x00, 0x01, …, 0x63) are restricted.
Implementation Status:
While BIP 62 was introduced in April 2017, the adoption rate has been slower than expected. According to a report by Cointelegraph, as of March 2023:
- Only about 25% of Ethereum’s total hash functions (THFs) have been updated to comply with BIP 62 rules.
- The majority of THFs still use older or insecure algorithms.
Conclusion
The implementation of BIP 62 has been a crucial step in addressing malleability on the Ethereum network. However, its adoption rate remains relatively low compared to other cryptocurrencies and mainstream blockchain platforms. As the Ethereum ecosystem continues to evolve, it is essential for developers to prioritize security and compliance with established standards like BIP 62.
Recommendations
To accelerate progress towards a more secure Ethereum:
- Prioritize compliance: Focus on updating THFs that are vulnerable to malleability attacks.
- Introduce new algorithms: Consider introducing newer, more secure cryptographic protocols in the future.
- Educate and collaborate: Share knowledge about BIP 62 and other security best practices among developers and researchers.
By doing so, we can create a more resilient and trustworthy Ethereum ecosystem that protects users from malleable attacks and maintains its position as a leading platform for decentralized applications.