Hyperledger Fabric Security Threats

Hyperledger is an open-source project to design blockchain applications or registers. It originates with the support of the Go programming technology. It offers a combination of frameworks, standards, models, and tools to build a P2P network. Its applications are in finance, IoT, manufacturing, Information technology, etc. It is divided into two parts: frameworks and tools.

Hyperledger Fabric is one of the popular frameworks which is created by the Linux organization and is based on distributed ledger technology and used to create blockchain applications. Big companies like Walmart, FedEx, Visa, etc. used this service. 

• It does not require much proof of work to establish the blockchain network.
• Hyperledger Fabric is created to allow safe cooperation between considerable associations working with fixed faith. 
• The security improvements Hyperledger Fabric delivers, deployments always demand detailed design and manage to confirm the operation securely.

Security Threats in Hyperledger Fabric

The following are some of the security threats in Hyperledger fabric:

1. Denial of service (DOS)

A DoS attack renders a network, host, or other pieces of infrastructure unusable by legitimate users. It usually interrupts the host temporarily which is connected to the internet. These attacks target banks, credit card gateways, etc. They create a load on the webserver by triggering a large number of advertisements on the web page requests.

Mitigation:

• Monitor and analyze network traffic: Network gridlock can be managed through a firewall or intrusion detection technique.
• Boycott using third-party websites: Partition critical online services (E-mail) from different online assistance that is more possible to attack.

2. MSP Compromise

This threat is used to attack the blockchain network in order to lock the credential information and the attacker will ask for the money that is called ransomware in exchange for your data. The data might be encrypted which will unlock only with a specific crypto key. It’s just like locking the owner in his/her own house and asking for money to unlock the house.

Mitigation:

• Increase bandwidth: The basic step which users can take to protect against MSP Compromise attacks is to make the hosting infrastructure “MSP Compromise resistant”. However, this indicates that users must build sufficient bandwidth to manage traffic that might be caused by cyber-attacks.
• Bullet-proof your network hardware configurations: For example, users can arrange the firewall or router connectivity to decrease incoming ICMP( Internet Control Message Protocol) packages and may obstruct DNS(Domain Name System) reactions from further the network (by disabling User Datagram Protocol – 53). It will lead to protection against specific DNS and ping vulnerability attacks.

3. Consensus Manipulation

Hyperledger Fabric now simply uses Crash Fault Tolerant (CFT) consensus algorithms, which is that it can’t accept any malicious threat. The work is currently going on Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) algorithms, that can accept up to 1/3 malicious of the existing network. However, with the consensus algorithm described above, premature detection of the virus can mitigate this threat.

Mitigation:

• Deploying a Web Application Firewall: A web application firewall checks all incoming web traffic and purifies malicious programs that might harm the security vulnerabilities of a P2P network.
• Attack Surface Reduction (ASR): It shields against malware programs by stopping threats related to Office files, script files, and emails.

4. Private Key Attacks

The cryptocurrency consists of two keys public and private keys that need to encrypt and decrypt the data. They are meant to be handled properly and securely, if a public key got exposed by the attacker will lead to having a private key that is used to decrypt the data. The attacker can easily decrypt and can steal or manipulate the information.

Mitigation:

• Use SSL Certificate: Secure Sockets Layer is an international typical safety policy that specifies a safe link between a web server and an internet browser. It verifies the originality of the application and encrypts the data that needs to be transmitted through the internet.
• Build Strong Password and Modify Regularly:- Build a powerful password for various types of grid devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls to prevent network attacks.

5. Spoofing

Spoofing is a harmful entity that can attack the network system as it hides the original ID of the attacker’s IP address with the genuine one so that it can not be identified as harmful. The server will pass the information by considering it as a genuine system but in reality, it is spoofed and the attacker would enter the network system which contains all the information.

Mitigation:

• Use Packet Filtering with Deep Packet Inspection: Packet filtering evaluates IP packets and stops those with inconsistent reference details because malicious packages will attack externally the network.
• Use Spoofing Detection Software: Various tools which help to detect spoofing attacks, especially Address Resolution Protocol spoofing such as tools like NetCut and Arp Monitor for ARP spoofing protection. 

6. Algorithm Attacks

The attacks can also be the main algorithms through which a blockchain network is created. Therefore consensus algorithms are used to handle these attacks as they don’t allow any type of attack to occur. More algorithms are developing which have more security.

Mitigation:

• Authentication: Use verification tools that do not transfer the password over the P2P network such as Kerberosprotocol or Windows authentication.
• ACL: Use strong ACL(Access control lists) to secure.

7. Smart Contract Exploitation

In cryptocurrencies, the attack on smart contracts is easy as compared to others where Hyperledger Fabric can compromise enterprise logic and network execution. Common errors can also be occurred from handling concurrency. The applications must be considered for outer security. So that, the performance and use of the smart contract should be observed once deployed to detect strange behavior.

Mitigation:

• Bolster Access Control: Expand access control standards by utilizing a powerful password system. Users should include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, digits, and unique symbols and always reset all default passwords.
• Keep All Software Updated: Anti-virus software and computer operating systems, secure your software is corrected. When a recent version of the software is introduced, the version usually includes fixed bugs for safety susceptibilities.

8. Ledger Manipulation

This attack is done by the participant who carries command of additionally than half of all the executing capacity or verification regimes of a P2P network. Carrying the prevalence rule of a cryptocurrency’s blockchain allows that crowd or individual to build and exploit or manipulate transactions.

Mitigation:

• Use Proof of Stake (PoS): It is a more safe consensus than Proof of Work. Maximum cases have PoS incentives that are managed by most wealthy users to prevent the attack.
• Privately verifying each transaction: By analyzing yourself is the best scene as the user can easily identify the control flow of transactions. 

9. Trojan Horse

A trojan horse is a destructive program that does not look like a virus but attacks the security leakage area on a P2P network. It will affect the blockchain network and may create problems without the acknowledgment of the user. Once, it got entered it generates more malicious programs which would harm the protocols. 

Mitigation:

• Don’t download software from an untrusted third party:  Never unlock an extension or execute a software mailed to you in an email from an anonymous party.
• Trojan removal software: Withdrawing Trojans is equivalent to releasing viruses and other malware from a p2p network.

Common Mitigation Strategies

Below are some common mitigation strategies that can be followed for preventing the security threats:

• Preventive benchmarks to mitigate these security threats are just components of a secure deployment.
• It is just as significant to constantly observe the arrangement and security of the P2P network. 
• Many threats can simply be caught by connecting data across the blockchain P2P network, association infrastructure, and threat brilliance. 
• It can be a challenge to consume and act on this big quantity of mixed data, that’s why it is scalable and analytic power. 
• To mitigate smart contracts, they should be developed with safety in reason at the beginning by following a certain software development life cycle framework.

S No.	Threat	Indicators	Data Source
1.	DoS	Make slow network performance.	Heavy traffic to a network server.
2.	Consensus Manipulation	Reduce faith, dependency, and responsibility of nodes connecting to a network.	By reducing the Proof of Work mechanism.
3.	MSP Compromise	No access to the user’s data.	Exploit phishing.
4.	Smart Contract Exploitation	It costs millions of dollars as an effect of a smart  contract exploitation.	When a contract transmits ether to an anonymous address.
5.	Ledger Manipulation	Unwanted changes in group data.	By Participant.
6.	Spoofing	Impersonates a trusted contact.	Through email, phone, and SMS.
7.	Private Key attacks	Unwanted transactions, encryption, and decryption  occur.	Business’ financial details.
8.	Trojan Horse	Confidential data to an external address.	Attachments and bogus website.
9.	Algorithm Attacks	Block ciphers as well as a hash function.	Breaking a cryptosystem.