eth_sign Blind Signing Eyewash: Principles, Risks and Preventive Measures

Recently, the eth_sign blind signing eyewash has frequently appeared, and many users unknowingly signed seemingly harmless eth_sign signatures on certain websites, resulting in the theft of assets in their wallets. To help everyone better understand the operating mechanism of this eyewash, we need to first explain the nature of eth_sign signatures.

Basic Concept of eth_sign Signature

In the Ethereum ecosystem, eth_sign is a widely used signing method that allows users to sign messages with their private keys. This signing mechanism is a core component of blockchain transactions, used to prove that a specific account is the initiator of the transaction. In simple terms, it's like signing a piece of paper to indicate that you agree with or support its content.

However, there is an easily overlooked issue in the use of eth_sign, known as "blind signing". When you use eth_sign to sign a message, you may not fully understand the content you are signing, nor can you reverse-verify what this signature specifically represents. This is because the input of eth_sign is in raw characters, rather than a human-readable format. It's akin to signing a contract in a foreign language that you don't understand, which is why it is referred to as "blind signing".

Common Eyewash Tactics

After understanding the concepts of eth_sign signatures and blind signatures, we can further explore the potential risks of eth_sign and how to prevent such blind signature scams.

Since eth_sign can be used to sign any type of message, including transactions and smart contract instructions, malicious third parties may induce you to sign a message that you do not fully understand, resulting in your assets being transferred to their accounts. More seriously, they may present you with a seemingly harmless message to sign, but in reality, this message may be an operational instruction, and once you sign it, your assets will be transferred to their accounts.

Preventive Measures

In the face of this situation, how should we guard against it? Some wallet applications have begun to upgrade their risk control systems. For example, when users access third-party DApps to call eth_sign for message signing, certain wallets will provide a risk warning pop-up, informing users that the current transaction may have potential risks, and initiate a countdown cooling period. This setup is designed to give users enough time to assess the necessity and safety of the signing operation.

Security Recommendations

Regarding the blind signing risk of eth_sign, here are some important security recommendations:

1. Be cautious of all requests that require signing with eth_sign, especially those from unknown or untrusted sources. If you have any doubts about the authenticity or purpose of a request, do not sign it lightly.

2. Ensure that the messages or transaction requests you handle come from trusted sources, such as official websites, official social media, or verified communication channels. Never trust links, emails, or private messages from unknown sources.

3. Use a wallet that supports transaction simulation, which can help you preview the potential results of the transaction before signing.

4. Regularly update your wallet software to ensure you have the latest security features and protections.

5. Consider using hardware wallets for important transactions, as they typically provide an extra layer of security.

6. Learn to identify common scam patterns, such as fake airdrops, phishing websites, etc.

7. Before making any significant transactions, be sure to carefully check all details, including the receiving address and transaction amount.

By staying vigilant and following these security recommendations, we can significantly reduce the risk of becoming victims of the eth_sign eyewash. In the blockchain world, security awareness and acting cautiously are crucial.