The Cardano blockchain successfully mitigated a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack aimed at stealing staked tokens. Thanks to the swift actions of a developer, the attack had no significant impact on the network’s operation, and some of the attacker’s funds were reclaimed.
The DDoS Attack Unfolds
The attack, which occurred late Tuesday, involved executing numerous smart contracts within each transaction. The attacker filled each block with multiple transactions, each costing 0.9 ADA, in an attempt to stress and disrupt the network. DDoS attacks typically flood a server or blockchain with spam traffic, preventing legitimate users from accessing services.
Developer Response
Fluid Token’s chief technology officer, known as @ElRaulito_cnft on social media platform X, reported that the attack began at block 10,487,530. Each transaction executed 194 smart contracts, pushing the network to its limits.
Philip Disarro, the founder of Cardano development firm Anastasia, identified a method to stop the DDoS attack by deregistering the stake credential used by the attacker. Following his public disclosure, the attacker ceased their activities in an effort to protect their funds. However, it was already too late, as the recovery of the attacker’s funds was underway.
“DDOSer halted his attack after reading my tweet in an effort to protect his funds. Alas, they were too late and the pillaging of their funds is already in progress,” Disarro said.
Network Stability Maintained
Despite the attempted attack, the Cardano network continued to operate normally, demonstrating its resilience against such threats. The swift mitigation ensured that users experienced no downtime or significant disruptions.
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The price of ADA, Cardano’s native cryptocurrency, saw a slight increase of 0.4% over the past 24 hours, trading at 38 cents during Asian morning hours. This stability in price reflects the network’s ability to handle the situation effectively without causing panic among investors.
The quick response by Cardano developers to mitigate the DDoS attack highlights the strength and resilience of the Cardano blockchain. By addressing the vulnerability and recovering some of the stolen funds, they ensured the network’s continued smooth operation and maintained user trust. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and swift action in protecting blockchain networks from malicious actors.
