Bitcoin Lightning Hold Invoice Zero Trust Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication methods are vulnerable to brute force and denial-of-service attacks, with traditional defenses like complex passwords and rate limiting posing challenges, and recent blockchain-based solutions being costly and prone to fraud.
Innovation Solution
The use of the Bitcoin Proof-of-Work Protocol and Bitcoin Lightning Network to create a zero-trust authentication method, where a 'Hold Invoice' is initiated, requiring users to authorize Bitcoin for authentication attempts, with successful attempts canceling the invoice and unsuccessful attempts transferring Bitcoin to the service provider, leveraging the energy-intensive and secure nature of Bitcoin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional authentication methods with embedded logical constraints are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but security against brute force attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of brute force attacks into a beneficial mechanism by requiring attackers to pay Bitcoin for each authentication attempt. The Proof-of-Work requirement transforms attack traffic into a source of revenue for the service provider, while simultaneously limiting the number of feasible attempts an attacker can make.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of authentication cost by introducing a financial barrier through Bitcoin payments. Each authentication attempt requires the payment of Bitcoin, fundamentally altering the cost structure from free (traditional systems) to expensive (attacker perspective), thereby preventing brute force attacks while maintaining normal user authentication.
2Reliability
If rate limiting is implemented to protect against brute force attacks, then security is improved, but false positives affecting genuine users increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service security where each user pays for their own authentication attempts using Bitcoin. The financial cost naturally limits the number of attempts without requiring external intervention or administrative action, and genuine users are not affected as they have legitimate knowledge of their credentials.
3Reliability
If blockchain-based authentication is used, then security is improved, but transaction costs and settlement time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication process from the Bitcoin transaction settlement. The actual authentication verification happens immediately on the service provider's system, while the Bitcoin payment settles on the blockchain. This segmentation allows the critical authentication function to be fast while the financial settlement occurs on the slower blockchain network.
Solution Approach 2:
The service provider generates a Bitcoin payment address and amount in advance of the authentication attempt. The user pre-authorsizes the Bitcoin payment, and the Hold Invoice mechanism prepares the transaction structure beforehand, enabling rapid authentication processing without waiting for blockchain confirmation at the moment of login.
4Reliability
If One-Time-Tokens are implemented for secure authentication, then security is improved, but device complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security mechanism from complex token management systems and simplifies it to a straightforward Bitcoin payment model. Instead of managing One-Time-Tokens, registration processes, and device synchronization, the system uses a single Bitcoin payment that automatically secures the authentication attempt.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises a computer-implemented zero-trust authentication method that utilizes the Bitcoin Lightning Network, which is the sole protocol offering immediate, immutable, and cost-free Bitcoin settlement. A user requests access to the resource of a service provider and the user provides authentication material necessary to securely access the service provider. The service provider initiates a Hold Invoice via a cryptographic function to generate a pre-image hash, instructing the user to authorize release of Bitcoin in an amount stipulated by the Hold Invoice. Bitcoin is held in the Hold Invoice until an authentication attempt is either successful or unsuccessful. If successful, the user is issued an access token to login into the resource, the Hold Invoice is canceled and Bitcoin is released to the user. If unsuccessful, the pre-image is revealed, the user is denied access, and Bitcoin is transferred to the service provider as a settled payment transaction.