Hybrid Consensus Secures Hash Chains Against Replacement Attacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hash chains are susceptible to replacement attacks due to the lack of consensus mechanisms, but implementing consensus mechanisms like proof of work or proof of stake increases computational complexity and slows down the addition of new blocks, making them unsuitable for high-speed applications.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid consensus method is employed, where data is stored in a hash chain without a consensus mechanism and the hash value is stored in a blockchain that uses a consensus mechanism, providing security against replacement attacks while reducing computational costs by minimizing the information stored in the blockchain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a consensus mechanism is implemented in a hash chain to prevent replacement attacks, then security against replacement attacks is improved, but block addition speed deteriorates due to increased computational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the hash chain into two parts: a proximate chain that stores detailed data blocks without consensus mechanisms for high-speed operations, and a reporting chain that stores only hash identifiers and uses consensus mechanisms for security. This segmentation allows each part to serve its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
The consensus mechanism is extracted from the main data storage path and applied only to periodic reporting operations. The proximate chain operates without consensus for speed, while the reporting chain uses consensus for security, taking out the computational overhead from the critical path of block addition.
Solution Approach 3:
Instead of applying consensus mechanisms to every block addition, the system uses periodic reporting where only selected blocks (reporting blocks) are submitted to the consensus mechanism. This periodic action reduces the frequency of computational-intensive consensus operations while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If a consensus mechanism is implemented to secure the hash chain, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional computational requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the chain into proximate and reporting segments, applying different levels of computational complexity to each. The proximate chain uses simple hash linking while the reporting chain uses consensus mechanisms, segmenting the complexity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex consensus mechanism is extracted from the routine block addition process and confined to periodic reporting operations. This removes the computational complexity burden from the high-frequency block addition path while preserving security through periodic verification.
3Productivity
If minimal information is stored in the blockchain to reduce computational costs, then productivity is improved, but the amount of security information available deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the essential security information (hash identifiers) in the reporting chain while the full data blocks remain in the proximate chain. This copying approach allows the blockchain to store minimal information for security verification without losing the complete data elsewhere in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system moves from storing all data in a single chain to a two-dimensional structure with proximate and reporting chains. The proximate chain stores complete data blocks while the reporting chain stores hash identifiers, utilizing another dimension (chain separation) to resolve the information storage trade-off.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the security of hash chains against replacement attacks while maintaining high-speed block addition by leveraging the security of the consensus mechanism without the associated computational overhead.
Implementation Method 1
A first identifier of the proximate chain and the proximate payload are hashed with a hash function to generate a second identifier of the proximate chain
Data Source
AI summary
A method secures hash chains via hybrid consensus. A proximate payload for a proximate chain block for a proximate chain is obtained. A first identifier of the proximate chain and the proximate payload are hashed with a hash function to generate a second identifier of the proximate chain. The proximate chain block is added to the proximate chain. The proximate chain block includes the first identifier, the second identifier, and the proximate payload. A request to add the second identifier to a reporting chain is transmitted. A response indicating that the second identifier is incorporated into the reporting chain using the consensus mechanism is received.