Ethereum Smart Contracts: A Hierarchical Analysis of Vulnerability Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

Article

Soofiyan, S. and Karami, A. 2025. Ethereum Smart Contracts: A Hierarchical Analysis of Vulnerability Challenges and Mitigation Strategies. Cluster Computing. p. In press.
AuthorsSoofiyan, S. and Karami, A.
Abstract

Ethereum's smart contracts have revolutionized decentralized applications, offering unparalleled opportunities for innovation. However, the platform's hierarchical architecture exposes it to a diverse range of vulnerabilities that threaten its integrity, functionality, and trustworthiness. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of Ethereum’s core and extended layers. By identifying and critically examining 21 major vulnerabilities, this work highlights the interconnected nature of Ethereum’s ecosystem, where a single flaw can cascade across multiple layers. Detection challenges, including the lack of standardized datasets and evolving attack strategies, as well as mitigation hurdles like the immutability of smart contracts and resource constraints, are critically assessed. To address these issues, the study explores advanced techniques as well as the importance of secure development practices and cross-layer frameworks to enhance Ethereum's resilience. This work not only provides actionable solutions to strengthen Ethereum's security but also serves as a roadmap for safeguarding decentralized platforms, ensuring their scalability, adaptability, and reliability for future advancements in blockchain technology.

JournalCluster Computing
Journal citationp. In press
ISSN1573-7543
1386-7857
Year2025
PublisherSpringer Nature
Accepted author manuscript
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Publication process dates
Accepted07 Feb 2025
Deposited11 Feb 2025
Copyright holder© 2025 The Authors
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This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/[in press]

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