Extrinsics

Extrinsics (a.k.a. Types of Transactions)

Pallets and Extrinsics​

Polkadot is built using Substrate, a modular framework to efficiently build blockchains. Substrate's FRAME development environment provides modules called pallets and support libraries that you can use, modify, and extend to build the runtime logic to suit the needs of your blockchain. You can explore Substrate's FRAME pallets on this dedicated page.

Within each functional pallet on the blockchain, one can call its functions and execute them successfully, provided they have the permission to do so. Because these calls originate outside of the blockchain runtime, such transactions are referred to as extrinsics. Extrinsics normally contain a signature, some data to describe if the extrinsic has passed some validity checks and a reference to the pallet and call that it is intended for. For example, the Staking pallet contains all functions related to staking. A nominator can bond funds and nominate validators by issuing the respective extrinsics. Some extrinsics might also trigger an event on the chain such as a reward payout to the nominators.

Types of Extrinsics​

Now that we introduced the term extrinsic, let us dive deeper and understand what extrinsics really are. Extrinsics can be one of 3 distinct types:

• Signed transactions: these must contain the signature of the account sending the inbound request to the runtime. With signed transactions, the account used to submit the request typically pays the transaction fee and must sign it using the account's private key.

• Unsigned transactions: these don't carry any information about who submitted the transaction, since the format of this type of transaction doesn't require a signature. You can define what conditions must be met for such a transaction to be valid.

• Inherents: are a special type of unsigned transaction made by block authors which carry information required to build a block such as timestamps, storage proofs and uncle blocks.

Here are some key differences between the different types of extrinsics:

• Contrary to signed transactions, unsigned transaction types require implementing custom validation logic which can consume more resources for checking validity compared to signed transactions.

• Unsigned transactions have no economic deterrent to prevent spam or replay attacks, so custom logic must account for protecting the network from these types of transactions being misused.

• Inherents exist to address the need of adding some data to a block, whereas signed or unsigned transactions exist to potentially change the state of the blockchain.

Mortal and Immortal Extrinsics​

Extrinsics can be mortal (i.e. valid within a defined block interval) or immortal (i.e. always valid). By default and for security reasons, all extrinsics will be mortal, but always checking before signing is a good practice. This will avoid the chance of being a victim of a replay attack after reaping an account.

A replay attack is where past transactions can be replayed (same balance, receiver account, etc.) without knowing private keys. This could happen in the context of reaping accounts because the reaping process resets the nonce value. If all signed transactions until the nonce before the reaping event were immortal, all past transactions can be replayed once the account is refunded. There is no need for the attacker to know your private key, valid signatures for those past transactions and nonces already exist and are stored on-chain (meaning the private key was already used to generate those signatures).

Making a transaction mortal will almost certainly ensure that replay attacks are not possible, with the only exception being if the account is reaped and then re-funded shortly after submitting a mortal transaction, and then an attacker replays that transaction within the mortality window (i.e., the specified block interval).

Metadata Updates​

ALWAYS CHECK FOR METADATA UPDATES

Before signing extrinsics with the Polkadot-JS Browser Extension and Parity Signer, always check for metadata updates. This video tutorial will explain how to do it.

Parity Signer vs Browser Extension​

Parity Signer updates the full metadata through the QR fountain while the extension updates the metadata index (the metadata is not loaded into it). As a consequence the process of updating metadata is different in this two cases (you will notice that on the Signer app the update takes longer for example). Having outdated metadata on the Signer app will prevent you from signing, while on the extension you will be able to click the sign button but the extrinsic will likely fail (similarly of having an outdated Ledger app). In general, failing to update metadata will most likely result in you not being able to sign extrinsics.

Verifying Extrinsics​

WALK-THROUGH VIDEO TUTORIAL

Visit the dedicated support page and see this video tutorial tutorial to learn about how to verify extrinsics before signing them. The video will also mention potential attacks that can happen to you while signing for transactions.

DANGER

Do not sign a transaction if you can't verify what you are signing or you suspect you might be signing a different extrinsic than the one intended.

Verifying the extrinsic you are signing can take some more time before signing for a transaction but it allows you to add an extra security step. There are a multitude of possible attacks that will prevent you to send funds to the desired destination account (see below).

How do Attacks look like​

In general, an attacker would make you think you are signing an extrinsic A when in reality you are signing an extrinsic B. An Attack might come from:

Clipboard Memory​

INFO

For a more detailed read about clipboard memory attacks see this article.

This is a common attack. The clipboard memory is that memory on you computer dedicated to copy-paste operations. There is malicious software that can be remotely installed on your computer and that can detect when a cryptocurrency address is copied. For example, you want to send funds to Address A (belonging to you) but after copying address A a malicious software swaps that address with Address B (belonging to an attacker). This attack can be prevented by checking the receiver address before signing. Failing to do so could result in loss of the funds.

Malicious Website/dApp​

This is a common attack that can happen if you are interacting with a malicious site (dApp). In this scenario you want to perform Extrinsic A on the website, but the dApp will send Extrinsic B to the extension for signing. In this case the extension will show Extrinsic B. If you are using a Ledger device you have a second layer of verification, as it will also display Extrinsic B.

Malicious Browser Extension​

This scenario can happen if you have downloaded a malicious extension or a trusted extension, like the Polkadot-JS Browser Extension, from a non-trusted source. In this scenario the extension will display that you will sign for an Extrinsic A but in the background will execute Extrinsic B. If you are using a Ledger device this attack can be detected because you will be able to see Extrinsic B on the screen of your Ledger device.

Corrupted metadata​

This attack is least common and might result in signing a non-intended extrinsic without the possibility of verifying it. Before authorizing the metadata update check who is requesting it. Metadata updates for the Polkadot-JS Browser Extension (or other extensions) might be requested by the Polkadot-JS UI and dApps (for example DeFi apps of parachains). For the extensions, you should trust the app that requests the update. When updating the metadata for Parity Signer you should trust the issuer of the metadata (or generate the QR fountain yourself).

Corrupted QR-code (Parity Signer)​

This is a sub-case of the malicious dApp scenario. If your account is on Parity Signer the extrinsic will be displayed as a QR code, instead of the extension showing its details and you need to verify it on the device. The corrupted QR code will make you sign for an Extrinsic B when you want to sign for Extrinsic A. This will be showed in the Signer app and a careful user will notice it. If the metadata in the Signer is already incorrect (or the Signer is corrupted) there is the risk of signing a non-intended extrinsic without the possibility of verifying it.

Defense against Attacks​

DANGER

If you can't verify the extrinsic or you suspect you are signing something different than what you intended, don't sign it!

To avoid being victim of an attack:

• Use only trusted extensions, sites and software in general.

• Use cold storage options (Ledger, Signer) and verify on them. Trust what these devices tell you over what is shown in the app or the browser extension.

• Update Signer metadata only from trusted sources (or do it yourself).

• Accept metadata updates for the extension only from trusted apps.