The Multibillion Dollar Software Supply Chain of Ethereum

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the complex software supply chain of Ethereum nodes, highlighting challenges in maintaining and securing this critical blockchain infrastructure amidst diverse third-party dependencies.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of Ethereum's Java node software supply chain and identifies key challenges in security and maintenance.

Findings

Ethereum relies on a vast, diverse software supply chain.

Maintaining security in this supply chain is complex and critical.

The analysis reveals specific vulnerabilities and challenges.

Abstract

The rise of blockchain technologies has triggered tremendous research interest, coding efforts, and monetary investments in the last decade. Ethereum is the single largest programmable blockchain platform today. It features cryptocurrency trading, digital art, and decentralized finance through smart contracts. So-called Ethereum nodes operate the blockchain, relying on a vast supply chain of third-party software dependencies maintained by diverse organizations. These software suppliers have a direct impact on the reliability and the security of Ethereum. In this article, we perform an analysis of the software supply chain of Java Ethereum nodes and distill the challenges of maintaining and securing this blockchain technology.