An invalid transaction generated an error in Steem's blockchain, which kept the network down for about 9 hours, which caused concern among users. However, the startup reported through its social network twitter account, that the error had been solved and that the accounts of the users and their tokens were never at risk.
Some users, operators (witnesses) of the nodes of Steem, spoke on the subject through the social network Steemit , to offer the first version of what happened, which was later corroborated by an official communiqué by the Steem team .
As they pointed out, a group of invalid operations attempted by the user of an account, whose name is @nijeah, would have resulted in the freezing of the chain of blocks. Apparently the user made 4 transfers of funds, expressed in VEST tokens, using negative figures , such as -1000000 VEST and -10,000,000,000 VEST.
In its official statement, the startup explained that the network stopped in block 23847548, as a result of which the "invalid" transaction was allowed in a previous block. After identifying the origin of the failure, they generated an update or patch, which was used by most of the witnesses to correct the situation, so that currently the blockchain is operating normally.
The Steem team explained that what actually happened is due to a "protection mechanism integrated in the blockchain that prevents the invalid transaction from causing real damage". As they stated, the rules of the blockchain prohibit transactions such as those attempted by @nijeah, but in this case, they did not prohibit them. The transactions were made 7 days later, and as their execution was not allowed, the scheduled action took place .
The team regretted that the operations were suspended for so long, and affirmed that its priority is to guarantee the security of users' accounts .
Steem is the blockchain that is behind the social network Steemit , whose model is based on rewarding users with cryptoactives . On this platform, participants earn tokens by creating and sharing their content, as well as by voting for their favorites. They can add photos, videos, or links to their publications. The goal is that the contents are useful for the rest of the users.
After the fall of Steem's blockchain, some users expressed initial concern and relief that the problem has been solved sufficiently. Also, the user @nijeah was criticized by some, but congratulated by others, for having highlighted the vulnerability, today solved.