Overview
This patent describes an automated formal modeling approach for Ethereum smart contracts, enabling systematic verification of security properties. The method translates contract source code into precise behavioral models while accommodating different attacker profiles.
Core Methodology
Step 1: Data Acquisition
- Collects Ethereum smart contract source code
- Identifies security properties to be verified
Step 2: Code Parsing
- Extracts global variable sets
- Compiles function collections from the contract
Step 3: External Account Behavior Modeling
- Generates sub-models for each function
- Represents arbitrary external account interactions
- Includes variable initialization assumptions
Step 4: Attacker Capability Modeling
Profiles three attacker types:
- External account attackers (calling public functions)
- Contract account attackers (exploiting fallback functions)
- Miner attackers (manipulating block variables)
Step 5: Statement-to-Model Conversion
- Transforms code statements into behavioral sub-models
Handles control structures:
- Conditional statements → Branching paths
- Loops → Unrolled iterations
Step 6: Security Property Integration
Modifies models based on property types:
- Equivalence properties: Duplicates transaction sets
- Invariants: Adds pre/post-transaction checks
System Components
| Component | Functionality |
|-----------|--------------|
| Data Acquisition Unit | Collects source code and security specs |
| Parser | Extracts variables and functions |
| Behavior Model Generator | Creates external account models |
| Attacker Model Generator | Builds threat actor profiles |
| Contract Model Generator | Translates statements to sub-models |
| Model Modifier | Adapts models for security verification |
Technical Advantages
- Comprehensive Attack Coverage: Models multiple attack vectors
- Property-Specific Adaptation: Customizes verification for different security requirements
- Automated Formalization: Eliminates manual modeling errors
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FAQ
Q1: How does this method handle complex control flows?
A: Through systematic statement conversion - loops are unrolled and conditionals generate parallel execution paths.
Q2: What makes miner attacks distinct in this model?
A: They're the only threat actors capable of manipulating temporal variables like block timestamps.
Q3: Can this verify arbitrary smart contracts?
A: Yes, provided the source code is available and written in Solidity.
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Implementation Requirements
- Processor: Multi-core systems recommended
- Memory: ≥8GB for large contracts
- Storage: SSD for model caching
This approach significantly advances smart contract verification by combining automated formal methods with adversarial simulation.