A cybersecurity research company, has discovered a critical issue in the platform that puts many OpenSea members at risk. Fortunately, OpenSea is aware of the vulnerability and is working to address the security vulnerabilities.
The popularity of NFTs
The non-expendable tokens are still being discussed in the crypto world: Bored Apes, CryptoPunks and other popular NFT sell for thousands, and in some cases, millions of dollars. Whether you are the creator of NFT or the buyer, you have probably traded non-fungible tokens on one of the largest platforms in the NFT market, for example, OpenSea. However, for its popularity, you have to pay. It attracts crypto hackers who seek to steal vulnerable bidders.
OpenSea Critical Security Flaws
OpenSea allows users to mine any NFT digital artwork as long as they have one of the following extensions: JPG, PNG, GIF, SVG, MP4, WEBM, MP3, WAV, OGG, GLB, GLTF. It should also be noted that in order to buy and sell NFT on OpenSea, members must connect a cryptocurrency wallet (e.g. Metamask) to the platform. Users need to replenish their wallet with cryptocurrencies (usually Ethereum) to pay NFTs and / or gas fees.
According to laptopmag.com, to test the security of OpenSea’s network, the Check Point Research team acted as a hacker and injected malicious code into an SVG image intended to trick unsuspecting victims into abandoning their cryptocurrency wallets. . As the video shows , the “intruders” were successful.
Fortunately, this opportunity no longer exists in the NFT market. “OpenSea and Check Point, together, have corrected this shortcoming,” the report says.
How the intruders acted
Before the security flaw was corrected, specialists from Check Point noted that hackers could steal cryptocurrency, tricking victims into clicking fake windows to approve a wallet after going over one of the links of third parties. For those who do not know: before buying (or mining) NFT on OpenSea, Metamask launches the window of the approval of a wallet by offering to authorize (or reject) the transaction. It’s a normal algorithm. However, if after clicking on a third-party link you see a wallet window where you are accidentally asked to enter your credentials, it means something has gone wrong and you should think about it.
“OpenSea does not request portfolio approval to view or click on third party links. This behavior is extremely suspicious and users should not confirm their portfolio if they are not related to specific activities on OpenSea, ”the report said.
Also Check:
Blockchain and crypto: What is proof of stake?
Czech Republic: Royal family launches collection of NFTs
The upward trend in the market for digital currencies
Check Point investigators have warned that buyers and sellers of NFTs on OpenSea should be careful when interacting with their cryptocurrency wallets. It’s easy to automatically approve transactions, and not notice the catch. It is therefore important to carefully consider the request and determine who it is from. “If in doubt, the request should be rejected,” the report advises.
Phishing isn’t the only way cryptos try to steal victims’ virtual assets. Therefore, before delving into the topic, we advise you to read documents about the tricks used by hackers, study the theory and start working.
