Work

Heterogeneity- and homophily-induced vulnerability of a P2P network formation model: the Mana based auto-peering protocol

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: IOTA is a distributed ledger technology that relies on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network for communications. Recently an auto-peering algorithm was proposed to build connections among IOTA peers according to their “Mana" endowment, which is an IOTA internal reputation system. This paper’s goal is to detect potential vulnerabilities and evaluate the resilience of the P2P network generated using IOTA auto-peering algorithm against eclipse attacks. In order to do so, we interpret IOTA’s auto-peering algorithm as a random network formation model and employ different network metrics to identify cost-efficient partitions of the network. As a result, we present a potential strategy that an attacker can use to eclipse a significant part of the network, providing estimates of costs and potential damage caused by the attack. On the side, we provide an analysis of the properties of IOTA auto-peering network ensemble, as an interesting class of homophile random networks in between 1D lattices and regular Poisson graphs.

Source: Applied Network Science

DOI: 10.1007/s41109-025-00740-9

Authors: Yu Gao, Carlo Campajola, Nicolò Vallarano, Andreia Sofia Teixeira, Claudio J. Tessone

Institutions: University of Zurich, University College London, University of Lisbon, Northeastern University London, Laboratório de Sistemas Informáticos de Grande Escala

Language: English

Topic: Complex Network Analysis Techniques

Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,690

Funder: China Scholarship Council