Best Practices for Secure NFT Development

Published in

Blaize_tech

11 min readSep 5, 2023

In today’s digital age, NFT security has emerged as a cornerstone of the rapidly growing world of decentralized assets. You’re likely reading this because you’ve either been impacted by or are concerned about the vulnerabilities inherent in the NFT space. Maybe you’ve heard horror stories of significant losses (like stolen Cryptopunks) or perhaps you’ve questioned the integrity of your own holdings. These pain points resonate deeply with a vast audience.

At Blaize, we understand these concerns intimately. Our team has clocked in countless hours addressing the multifaceted challenges that NFT stakeholders face — and we prepared a lot of best practices for them. Whether it’s the creators worried about the integrity of their art, collectors nervous about the authenticity and safety of their holdings, or developers striving for a foolproof code, the underlying theme remains constant: the indispensable need for top-notch security.

But what does ‘NFT security’ truly entail? It’s not merely about having a protective layer or a secure wallet. It goes far beyond. Genuine NFT security is characterized by impeccably written code, robust protocols (especially crucial when the NFT goes beyond being a mere collectible and holds utility), and preemptive measures against the growing threats like phishing attempts targeted at unsuspecting NFT holders.

Our journey in fortifying the NFT landscape has been rich with insights, challenges, and successes. Countless audits in NFT space provided our security researchers experience we’ve shared with our Engineering Department: explore our case studies for a more granular look at our endeavors and the tangible impact we’ve made. They serve as a testament to our commitment and provide valuable lessons for enthusiasts, creators, and developers in the space.

Navigating the NFT universe without robust security measures is akin to sailing turbulent waters without a compass. And while this article delves deeper into the intricacies of NFT security, it’s vital to acknowledge upfront that safeguarding these digital treasures goes beyond mere best practices — it’s an art, a science, and a continuous commitment.

Why NFT Security Is Really Important

The digital universe of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) is rewriting art, ownership, and innovation dynamics. As they surge in popularity, their security becomes not just a technical concern, but a linchpin holding the integrity of a revolutionary movement. Let’s dive deep into why safeguarding NFTs is paramount:

The Immense Value at Stake

Monetary Significance: Many NFTs command prices that rival traditional art pieces, with some selling for millions of dollars. A lapse in security could result in devastating financial setbacks for creators, investors, and traders.
Cultural Value: NFTs represent a watershed moment in how culture, creativity, and commerce intersect in the digital age. Their compromise threatens the rich tapestry of digital artistry and innovation they have fostered.

Reinventing Digital Ownership

Proof of Authenticity: NFTs serve as a certificate of authenticity in the digital realm. A breach in their security can jeopardize this, creating a ripple effect of distrust.
Digital Identities at Risk: Many NFTs — especially SBTs (Soul-Bound Tokens) — are now associated with digital identities, memberships, or access rights. If compromised, they could lead to identity theft or unauthorized access.

The Broader Impact on the Crypto Ecosystem

Market Confidence: Recurring security threats can erode faith in the NFT marketplace. For the ecosystem to thrive, trust in its security is indispensable.
Integration into DeFi: With a lot of NFTs now used as collaterals in lending protocols, or utilized as keys to deposits, security breach may lead to significant losses and pressure on the market.
Potential Regulatory Scrutiny: Continuous security breaches might invite stricter regulations, potentially stifling the growth and innovation in the NFT sector.

Notable NFT Security Breaches

Over the years, there have been alarming breaches in NFT security, serving as stark reminders of the vulnerabilities in the space. Below is a table highlighting some of the most significant NFT hacks recently:

While the above incidents are sobering, they serve as catalysts, emphasizing the non-negotiable need for robust NFT security frameworks. As the realm of NFTs continues to evolve, security must remain front and center, ensuring a safe and thriving environment for all participants.

Read also our expert guide on How to Build Your Own NFT Platform.

Common Vulnerabilities in NFT Development

The transformative landscape of NFTs has presented both unprecedented opportunities and unique challenges. As the scope of NFTs broadens from art pieces to integral components of financial and identity systems, ensuring their security becomes multifaceted. Here’s a deep dive into the prevalent vulnerabilities in NFT development.

The Multifaceted Value of NFTs

Before discussing the vulnerabilities, it’s essential to understand the varied value propositions of NFTs:

Beyond Mere Collectibles: NFTs aren’t just high-value digital art. They’ve evolved into versatile assets with a multitude of uses.
Lending and Collateral: Platforms now allow NFTs as collateral to get loans in ETH or other cryptocurrencies. A compromised NFT might grant attackers a fraudulent loan.
Keys to DeFi Protocols: Certain NFTs, like those associated with VelodromDeFi or positions in UniV3, serve as keys or guarantees for deposits, making them prime targets.
Digital Identity: NFTs are being used as digital identity tools. A compromised NFT can lead to stolen identities or unauthorized gaming or other account access.
Gaming Assets: Virtual in-game assets, like land parcels in metaverse games or characters in games like Aavegotchi, can be traded for substantial sums.
Tokenized Real Assets: From real estate to luxury items, NFTs on tokenization platforms often represent tangible assets, increasing their attractiveness to malicious actors.

Smart Contract Vulnerabilities

Smart contracts, the foundational building blocks of NFTs, are prone to various risks:

From coding errors and bugs to exploits in the underlying blockchain protocols, NFT smart contracts can become targets for malicious actors seeking to manipulate or steal valuable digital assets. To ensure the long-term viability and trustworthiness of the NFT ecosystem, it is crucial for developers and stakeholders to continually assess and address these vulnerabilities, implementing robust security measures to safeguard both creators and collectors in the rapidly evolving world of digital ownership. Read more about Blaize services in the field of secureness providing.

Transactional Risks

The process of minting, transferring, or trading NFTs is susceptible to:

Front Running: Attackers can view pending transactions and jump the queue by paying higher gas fees, executing their transaction first. And that influences your purchases on marketplaces, participation in NFT sales and drops, and even can cause so-called “gas wars” with enormous ETH spending like it was with the Sevens collection.
Protocol Breaches: Make sure you know the protocol where you want to sell or stake your NFT. Your NFT may be created with all best practices and caution, but in case of any vulnerability in a target DeFi protocol or marketplace, you will take a significant risk. Make sure that both collection and target protocol have been audited.

Client-Side Vulnerabilities

Attacks often target the end-users, exploiting potential lapses in their security.

Phishing and Social Engineering: Fake platforms or links lure users into providing sensitive information.
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: Attackers intercept and potentially alter the communication between two parties without detection.
Fake Listings: Counterfeit NFTs or duplicate listings can deceive users into purchasing worthless tokens.

Dependence on External Resources

NFTs often rely on external resources, making them vulnerable to:

Centralized Storage Issues: If an NFT’s metadata, the information that gives it its unique characteristics, is stored centrally, it becomes a single point of failure. This emphasizes the need for decentralized storage solutions like IPFS.
Immutable but Not Permanent: While blockchains are immutable if the data the NFT points to (like an artwork on a server) is changed or deleted, the NFT might lose its value. That’s why it is not recommended to add methods for modifying URI after the deployment.

Best Practices for NFT Security

The innovative world of NFTs, while presenting vast opportunities, is riddled with vulnerabilities that could jeopardize both creators and users. A solid defense strategy requires stringent nft security best practices. Let’s delve deep into these best practices for robust NFT security.

For Protocol Owners and NFT Creators

1. Prioritize Audits

Value: Audits are the backbone of nft cybersecurity, ensuring no loopholes in code that could be exploited.
Details: Both the NFT itself and additional sale/mint contracts should be audited.
Consequences: Skipping audits can lead to undetected vulnerabilities, resulting in potential financial losses and eroding trust.

Blaize provides comprehensive auditing services for smart contracts as well as for blockchains. Get to know more details here.

2. Adopt Decentralized Storage for Metadata

Value: Decentralized storage ensures that an NFT’s unique traits aren’t susceptible to centralized points of failure.
Details: Platforms like IPFS, Moralis, and Filecoin offer decentralized storage solutions.
Consequences: Centralized storage can be a point of vulnerability, allowing alterations or deletions of metadata.

3. Adhere to Smart Contract Best Practices

Value: This ensures efficiency, security, and reliability of the NFT.
Details: Gas optimization, restricting access control, and more form the checklist.
Consequences: Ignoring these best practices can lead to expensive transactions, unauthorized access, or contract failures.

4. Embrace Simplicity

Value: A straightforward, clutter-free NFT reduces the chances of vulnerabilities.
Details: Avoiding extraneous code makes it easier to spot potential risks.
Consequences: Overloaded NFTs can have hidden vulnerabilities, making audits more complex and potential security breaches more likely.

5. Utilize Established Standards

Value: Trusted standards have been vetted by the community for security and functionality.
Details: Leveraging standards like OpenZeppelin’s ERC721 / ERC1155 (or alternatives such as ERC721A) and ERC2981 for royalties guarantees a reliable foundation.
Consequences: Deviating from established standards can introduce unforeseen vulnerabilities.

6. Thoroughly Test Integrations

Value: Ensuring NFT’s utility in a protocol without glitches safeguards its value proposition.
Details: Comprehensive testing guarantees that the NFT will function as intended within its ecosystem.
Consequences: Failure to test can lead to malfunctioning NFTs, reducing user trust and potentially causing financial loss.

For Users

Wallet Security: An Essential Paradigm

Why Wallet Compartmentation?

Intentionality: Encourages users to think critically before signing transactions.
Risk Distribution: Spreading NFTs across multiple wallets ensures that a single breach doesn’t lead to a total loss.
Asset Safeguarding: Protecting assets from potential threats is paramount.

The 3-Wallet Strategy:

Hot Wallet: Suitable for minting, flipping low-value NFTs, and high-risk activities. Examples: MetaMask.
Consequences: Compromise of a hot wallet can lead to quick losses, given its frequent online presence.
Lukewarm (Hard Wallet 1): Used for mid-tier value transactions. It strikes a balance between accessibility and security. Trusted brands: Ledger, Trezor.
Consequences: It acts as a buffer, reducing the risk from hot wallet compromises, but still needs to be handled with care.
Cold (Hard Wallet 2): A vault for your most prized NFTs, this wallet should seldom connect to the internet.
Consequences: Though the safest, it’s crucial to safeguard the physical device and its backup phrase.

Additional Wallet Recommendations:

Chill Wallets: ZenGo offers an intermediate level of security, ideal for less frequent but still valuable transactions.

Check on and collect the latest relevant infographic we prepared for Blaize Twitter followers under the link.

Incorporating these best practices ensures the longevity and security of the rapidly evolving NFT landscape. As the space grows, staying updated with the latest security measures will be pivotal for both creators and users. Furthermore, nft safe storage is an essential part of effective measures for your nft security.

How Blaize Works with NFT Security

Blaize has pioneered security solutions in the NFT space, offering unparalleled expertise. Our developers adhere strictly to best practices, leveraging our diverse experience spanning NFT use in DeFi, digital identity, carbon credits, and tokenization. Blaize’s robust audits have consistently ensured the security and reliability of numerous projects. We pride ourselves on navigating the intricate corridors of NFT security with precision.

Interested in knowing what a perfect nft platform audit looks like? Check out our latest case of smart contract audit for a protocol for nft sales.

At Blaize, our developers are not just coders; they are industry experts who understand the full spectrum of NFT applications.

DeFi: Decentralized finance is a rapidly growing sector where NFTs can represent unique financial instruments. Our developers have hands-on experience securing such assets and ensuring they resist common DeFi vulnerabilities.
Digital Identity: NFTs can serve as a unique digital identity in various ecosystems. Our team knows the sensitivity of this data and ensures its protection against potential breaches.
Carbon Credits & Tokenization: As part of our commitment to green tech (link to our green tech solutions), we recognize the role of NFTs in representing carbon credits and other tokenized environmental assets. Our solutions ensure that these assets are authentic, verifiable, and secured.
Best Practices: Our developers continuously update their skills and knowledge. They follow industry best practices, participate in hackathons, and regularly attend NFT and security seminars. This commitment ensures that our solutions are always ahead of potential threats.

Blaize’s holistic approach to NFT security ensures that your business can leverage digital assets’ full potential without compromising safety. Our diverse experience across sectors like DeFi, digital identity, green tech, and technical expertise make us a trusted partner in your NFT journey.

Conclusion

In the dynamic digital landscape, NFTs have reshaped our understanding of art, ownership, and innovation. As these digital assets grow exponentially in popularity and application, the security surrounding them transcends into an issue of paramount significance. The monetary, cultural, and intrinsic value these tokens hold makes them both revolutionary and vulnerable. From the disturbing tales of multi-million dollar security breaches to the promising potential of NFTs in varied sectors like DeFi, digital identity, and green tech, one thing becomes undeniably clear: NFT security is not a mere luxury but an absolute necessity.

The evolving vulnerabilities, ranging from smart contract flaws to client-side risks, underscore the intricate challenges developers and users must navigate. Yet, amidst these challenges lie best practices that serve as the beacon of hope. Auditing, decentralized storage, standardized protocols, and wallet compartmentalization are just a few safeguards ensuring NFTs retain their credibility and value. These practices ward off threats and fortify the foundation on which the NFT universe stands.

Blaize’s relentless commitment to pioneering robust security solutions in this domain epitomizes the blend of art and science that NFT security embodies. By merging technical prowess with a deep understanding of the NFT ecosystem, they offer a holistic approach that addresses security from multiple facets. This integrated methodology ensures that the rich tapestry of creativity and commerce that NFTs have woven remains vibrant, resilient, and, above all, secure.

In a world where NFTs are more than just digital collectibles, their protection is our shared responsibility, a collective endeavor to ensure the flourishing of a revolutionary movement.

FAQ

Can NFTs be counterfeit?

Absolutely, NFTs can be counterfeited in a sense. Just as digital art can be copied and pasted online, the metadata and assets associated with an NFT can be duplicated. However, what counterfeiters can’t duplicate is the unique digital signature and the specific blockchain record of the original NFT, which provides proof of authenticity and ownership.

Why is NFT security important?

NFT security is pivotal as it ensures the integrity, value, and uniqueness of the digital assets. In a market where digital ownership is becoming increasingly valuable, securing NFTs guarantees trust in the system. Without robust security measures, the very foundation of digital ownership and the potential financial value of NFTs could be jeopardized.

What are the common vulnerabilities in NFT development?

Common vulnerabilities in NFT development include: smart contract bugs, which can result in lost or stolen assets; improper access controls, allowing unauthorized modifications; and issues with metadata permanence, risking the longevity of the linked content. Ensuring a secure NFT platform also means guarding against more traditional cyber threats like phishing and malware attacks..

How can NFT developers mitigate these vulnerabilities?

To mitigate these vulnerabilities, NFT developers should employ rigorous smart contract auditing by reputable firms, implement robust access control mechanisms, and consider decentralized or persistent storage solutions for metadata. Continuous education about the latest threats, and staying updated on blockchain security practices, can also help in safeguarding NFT platforms from potential pitfalls.

Article source: Blaize blog https://blaize.tech/article-type/web3-security/best-practices-for-secure-nft-development/