Automatic Cross-Chain Protocol Pausing with Real-time Conformance Checking

05/20/2025

The proliferation of diverse blockchain networks has intensified the demand for interoperability, enabling cross-chain asset and data transfers. However, this interconnectedness introduces significant security risks, particularly due to vulnerabilities in cross-chain bridges. Addressing these challenges, this thesis proposes a real-time protocol protection framework that enhances the resilience of cross-chain operations by enabling early incident detection and containment. We implement a real-time conformance checking pipeline that monitors cross-chain transactions during execution, leveraging behavioral models. Deviations from expected behavior automatically trigger a pausing mechanism, effectively halting cross-chain protocol operations to prevent the propagation of incorrect states across blockchains. Our approach introduces runtime detection of cross-chain protocol errors, allowing immediate intervention instead of retrospective analysis. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that the system can detect anomalies and pause asset transfers in cross-chain bridges in less than 10 seconds, significantly reducing exposure to attacks and mitigating cascading failures between networks. These results highlight the critical role of automated bridge pausing mechanisms as an essential pillar for securing interoperability infrastructures, contributing toward building more robust cross-chain ecosystems.

Authors in the community:

• 

  B

  Bruno Filipe Ferreira Mateus

  ist195543

Supervisors of this institution:

• 

  A

  André Ferreira Ferrão Couto e Vasconcelos

  ist14250

• 

  M

  Miguel Nuno Dias Alves Pupo Correia

  ist130598

electrical-engineering-electronic-engineering-information-engineering - Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering

eng - English

Instituto Superior Técnico