Bitcoin Inscriptions Flagged as Cybersecurity Risk by National Vulnerability Database
The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) has highlighted Bitcoin’s inscriptions as a cybersecurity risk. This draws attention to a security flaw that led to the development of the Ordinals Protocol in 2022.
The NVD’s records show that certain versions of Bitcoin Core and Bitcoin Knots allow data to be masked as code, bypassing the limit. The document mentions that this vulnerability was exploited by Inscriptions in 2022 and 2023.
Being added to the NVD’s list means that the vulnerability is recognized, cataloged, and considered important for public awareness. The NVD is managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Potential Impact on Bitcoin’s Network
The vulnerability in Bitcoin’s network is currently being analyzed. It could lead to an influx of non-transactional data flooding the blockchain, which may increase network size and negatively impact performance and fees.
Bitcoin Core developer Luke Dashjr’s post on X (formerly Twitter) is featured on the NVD’s website as an information resource. Dashjr claims that inscriptions exploit a vulnerability in Bitcoin Core, slowing down the network.
Relevance to Ordinals
Inscriptions involve adding additional data to specific satoshis, making it a permanent part of the Bitcoin blockchain. This practice gained popularity with the introduction of Ordinals in late 2022, allowing unique digital arts to be embedded directly into Bitcoin transactions.
However, the volume of Ordinals transactions has caused congestion on the Bitcoin network multiple times in 2023, leading to higher fees and slower processing times. If the bug is fixed, it could restrict Ordinals inscriptions on the network, although existing inscriptions would remain due to the network’s immutability.
Hot Take: Bitcoin’s Inscriptions Vulnerability Highlights Network Risks
The National Vulnerability Database’s flagging of Bitcoin’s inscriptions as a cybersecurity risk raises concerns about the security of the cryptocurrency. The vulnerability allows data to be masked as code, potentially leading to spamming of the blockchain and impacting network performance and fees. This vulnerability is particularly relevant in the context of Ordinals, where data embedding has become more popular. While efforts are being made to analyze and address this vulnerability, it remains crucial for users and developers to stay vigilant and implement necessary security measures to protect their assets and ensure the smooth functioning of the Bitcoin network.
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