Contract's Onchain Creation Bytecode Is Equal To Onchain Runtime Bytecode

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Contract's Onchain Creation Bytecode is Equal to Onchain Runtime Bytecode: A Deep Dive

Introduction

In the world of blockchain development, understanding the intricacies of smart contract creation and deployment is crucial. Recently, while working on a UI project, I encountered a peculiar issue where the contract's "onchain creation bytecode" was identical to its "onchain runtime bytecode." This phenomenon has sparked curiosity, and in this article, we will delve into the details of this occurrence.

What is Onchain Creation Bytecode and Onchain Runtime Bytecode?

Before we dive into the specifics, let's briefly explain what onchain creation bytecode and onchain runtime bytecode are.

  • Onchain Creation Bytecode: This refers to the bytecode that is generated when a contract is created on the blockchain. It is the code that is executed when the contract is first deployed.
  • Onchain Runtime Bytecode: This is the bytecode that is executed when a contract is run on the blockchain. It is the code that is responsible for the contract's functionality.

The Peculiar Case

While working on the UI project, I encountered a contract (with address 0xB1A868BE8ABCB386400820355B3D6944AAD53224) where the onchain creation bytecode was identical to the onchain runtime bytecode. Initially, I thought this was a UI error, but further investigation revealed that this was not the case.

API Response and DB Confirmation

To confirm this, I checked the API response and the database. The API response from Sourcify (a popular contract analysis platform) showed that the creation bytecode and runtime bytecode were indeed identical.

creationBytecode	
- onchainBytecode	"0x6080604052348015610010…664736f6c63430008140033" <-----
- recompiledBytecode	"0x6101206040523480156200…664736f6c63430008140033"

runtimeBytecode	
- onchainBytecode	"0x6080604052348015610010…664736f6c63430008140033" <----
- recompiledBytecode	"0x6080604052348015610010…664736f6c63430008140033"

The hashes were also identical, confirming that the bytecode was indeed the same.

Querying the Database

To further investigate this phenomenon, I ran a query on the database to check if there were other contracts that had their onchain creation code equal to their onchain runtime code.

SELECT COUNT(*) AS matching_contracts_count
FROM contracts
WHERE creation_code_hash = runtime_code_hash;

The result was astonishing - there were 76609 contracts that had their onchain creation code equal to their onchain runtime code.

Grouping by Chain

To get a better understanding of this phenomenon, I grouped the contracts by chain (i.e., contract deployments).

SELECT cd.chain_id, COUNT(*) AS contract_count
FROM contracts c
JOIN contract_deployments cd ON c.id = cd.contract_id
WHERE c.creation_code_hash = c.runtime_code_hash
GROUP BY cd.chain_id
ORDER BY contract_count DESC;

The results showed that the majority of contracts with this phenomenon were on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) with a chain ID of 8453, followed by other chains like Ethereum (80001), Binance Smart Chain (84531), and others.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the phenomenon of a contract's onchain creation bytecode being equal to its onchain runtime bytecode is not a UI error, but rather a real occurrence that has been observed in the blockchain ecosystem. Further investigation is needed to understand the implications of this phenomenon and to determine the root cause of this issue.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this article, we recommend that developers and researchers:

  • Investigate the root cause of this phenomenon to determine why it is occurring.
  • Analyze the bytecode of contracts that exhibit this phenomenon to understand the implications of this issue.
  • Consider implementing measures to prevent or mitigate the effects of this phenomenon.

Future Work

Future work in this area could include:

  • Conducting a more in-depth analysis of the bytecode of contracts that exhibit this phenomenon.
  • Investigating the implications of this phenomenon on the security and functionality of smart contracts.
  • Developing tools and techniques to prevent or mitigate the effects of this phenomenon.

By understanding the intricacies of smart contract creation and deployment, we can build more secure and reliable blockchain applications.
Contract's Onchain Creation Bytecode is Equal to Onchain Runtime Bytecode: A Q&A

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the phenomenon of a contract's onchain creation bytecode being equal to its onchain runtime bytecode. This phenomenon has sparked curiosity, and in this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions related to this topic.

Q: What is the difference between onchain creation bytecode and onchain runtime bytecode?

A: Onchain creation bytecode is the bytecode that is generated when a contract is created on the blockchain. It is the code that is executed when the contract is first deployed. Onchain runtime bytecode, on the other hand, is the bytecode that is executed when a contract is run on the blockchain. It is the code that is responsible for the contract's functionality.

Q: Why is it possible for a contract's onchain creation bytecode to be equal to its onchain runtime bytecode?

A: There are several reasons why a contract's onchain creation bytecode can be equal to its onchain runtime bytecode. One possible reason is that the contract's creator has intentionally designed the contract to have the same bytecode for both creation and runtime. Another possible reason is that the contract's bytecode has been optimized or compressed in a way that makes it identical for both creation and runtime.

Q: What are the implications of a contract's onchain creation bytecode being equal to its onchain runtime bytecode?

A: The implications of a contract's onchain creation bytecode being equal to its onchain runtime bytecode are not yet fully understood. However, it is possible that this phenomenon could have implications for the security and functionality of smart contracts. For example, if a contract's bytecode is identical for both creation and runtime, it may be more vulnerable to certain types of attacks.

Q: How can I determine if a contract's onchain creation bytecode is equal to its onchain runtime bytecode?

A: To determine if a contract's onchain creation bytecode is equal to its onchain runtime bytecode, you can use a blockchain explorer or a contract analysis tool to view the contract's bytecode. You can also use a programming language like Solidity to write a script that compares the contract's creation bytecode to its runtime bytecode.

Q: What are some potential risks associated with a contract's onchain creation bytecode being equal to its onchain runtime bytecode?

A: Some potential risks associated with a contract's onchain creation bytecode being equal to its onchain runtime bytecode include:

  • Increased vulnerability to certain types of attacks
  • Reduced functionality or performance of the contract
  • Difficulty in debugging or troubleshooting the contract
  • Potential for unintended consequences or side effects

Q: How can I prevent or mitigate the effects of a contract's onchain creation bytecode being equal to its onchain runtime bytecode?

A: To prevent or mitigate the effects of a contract's onchain creation bytecode being equal to its onchain runtime bytecode, you can take several steps:

  • Use a contract analysis tool to identify potential issues with the contract's bytecode
  • Write a script to compare the contract's creation bytecode to its runtime bytecode
  • Use a programming language like Solidity to write a contract that has distinct creation and runtime bytecode
  • Consider using a bytecode optimizer or compressor to reduce the size of the contract's bytecode

Q: What are some best practices for writing smart contracts that have distinct creation and runtime bytecode?

A: Some best practices for writing smart contracts that have distinct creation and runtime bytecode include:

  • Using a programming language like Solidity to write a contract that has distinct creation and runtime bytecode
  • Writing a script to compare the contract's creation bytecode to its runtime bytecode
  • Using a contract analysis tool to identify potential issues with the contract's bytecode
  • Considering using a bytecode optimizer or compressor to reduce the size of the contract's bytecode

Conclusion

In conclusion, the phenomenon of a contract's onchain creation bytecode being equal to its onchain runtime bytecode is a complex issue that requires further investigation. By understanding the implications of this phenomenon and taking steps to prevent or mitigate its effects, we can build more secure and reliable blockchain applications.