Defeating Ethereum Sweeper Bots with Flashbots in 5 Steps

Defeating Ethereum Sweeper Bots with Flashbots; A Flashbots Bundle Transaction Tutorial

In the world of cryptocurrencies, security is paramount. Despite the decentralized and pseudonymous nature of blockchain technology, malicious actors often find creative ways to compromise the security of crypto users. One such method is the “Ethereum Sweeper Bot,” a nefarious tool designed to siphon funds from compromised wallets.

Recently, you might have come across our blog post discussing the Ethereum Sweeper Bot and its impact on unsuspecting users of the popular Ethereum wallet, MetaMask. If you find yourself in a situation where your wallet has fallen victim to such an attack, don’t despair. This tutorial is here to guide you through the process of rescuing your funds and ensuring the safety of your crypto assets.

In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to set up a Flashbots RPC (Remote Procedure Call) to execute bundle transactions securely, a technique that can help safeguard your assets from the clutches of malicious bots. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the world of blockchain security with confidence, ensuring that your digital wealth remains in your control. Let’s get started.

Getting Started – Setting up Flashbots RPC

Setting up a Flashbots RPC for bundle transactions can be a bit complex, but I’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide to help you get started. Flashbots is a protocol that allows you to submit Ethereum transactions directly to miners to avoid front-running and sandwich attacks. Here’s how you can set up a Flashbots RPC:

Prerequisites:

Ethereum Node: You’ll need access to an Ethereum node, either by running your own or using a service like Infura.

Python: You’ll need Python installed on your computer.

Flashbots-Tools: You’ll need the Flashbots-Tools Python library, which simplifies the process of interacting with Flashbots. Install it using pip:

pip install flashbots

Wallet: You’ll need an Ethereum wallet with some ETH for gas fees.

Now, let’s proceed with the step-by-step guide

Step 1: Setting Up Your Ethereum Node

To begin, you have two options: either run your own Ethereum node or utilize a service like Infura. If you choose to use Infura, follow these steps:

Sign Up for an Account: Start by signing up for an account on the Infura platform.

Create a Project: After logging in, create a new project within your Infura account.

Get an API Key: Once your project is set up, you’ll be provided with an API key. This key will be necessary for connecting your application to Infura’s Ethereum node.

Following these steps gives you access to an Ethereum node through Infura, which is essential for interacting with the Ethereum blockchain in your Flashbots setup.

Step 2: Configuring Flashbots

To utilize Flashbots effectively, you need to set up a configuration file. This file will enable your application to interact seamlessly with the Flashbots protocol. Follow these steps to configure Flashbots:

Create a Configuration File: Start by creating a configuration file, typically named flashbots-config.yaml, in your project directory. You can use any text editor to create this file.

Specify RPC Endpoint: In the configuration file, you’ll need to specify the RPC (Remote Procedure Call) endpoint for an Ethereum node. This Ethereum node is essential for broadcasting your transactions. You can either run your Ethereum node or, for simplicity, use a service like Infura. Replace <YOUR_ETHEREUM_NODE_URL> with the URL of your chosen Ethereum node or Infura.

rpc_endpoint: <YOUR_ETHEREUM_NODE_URL>

Set Web3 Provider: The Web3 provider is another critical component that Flashbots relies on. You can use the same Ethereum node URL as your RPC endpoint.

web3_provider: <YOUR_ETHEREUM_NODE_URL>

Specify MEV (Miner Extractable Value) Relay URL: Flashbots has a designated MEV relay service to facilitate the submission of your bundle transactions. Use the following URL for the MEV relay:

mev_relay_url: https://relay.flashbots.net

Your flashbots-config.yaml configuration file should now look something like this:

rpc_endpoint: <YOUR_ETHEREUM_NODE_URL>
web3_provider: <YOUR_ETHEREUM_NODE_URL>
mev_relay_url: https://relay.flashbots.net

With this configuration in place, your application will be able to connect to an Ethereum node, utilize the Web3 provider, and leverage Flashbots’ MEV relay for secure transaction execution. Proceed to the next steps to continue setting up your Flashbots RPC for bundle transactions.

Step 3: Create Your Bundle Transaction with a Sponsor Wallet

In this step, we will create a bundle transaction that not only rescues balances from a compromised wallet but also ensures that we have sufficient funds to cover gas fees. To do this, we will include a sponsor wallet in the bundle. Follow these steps to create your bundle transaction:

from web3 import Web3
from flashbots import flashbots

# Initialize your Web3 provider
w3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider('<YOUR_ETHEREUM_NODE_URL>'))

# Your sponsor wallet's private key
sponsor_private_key = '<SPONSOR_PRIVATE_KEY>'

# Your sponsor wallet's address
sponsor_address = '<SPONSOR_ADDRESS>'

# Your wallet's private key (compromised wallet)
compromised_wallet_private_key = '<COMPROMISED_WALLET_PRIVATE_KEY>'

# Define the recipient address for rescued balances
recipient_address = '<RECIPIENT_ADDRESS>'

# Define the compromised wallet address
compromised_wallet = '<COMPROMISED_WALLET_ADDRESS>'

# Fetch the nonce for the compromised wallet
nonce = w3.eth.getTransactionCount(compromised_wallet)

# Specify the gas price and gas limit for your transactions
gas_price = w3.toWei(100, 'gwei')
gas_limit = 21000 # Adjust as needed for your transactions

# Create a Flashbots bundle with three transactions
bundle = [
{
'transaction': {
'to': sponsor_address,
'value': w3.toWei(0.01, 'ether'), # Amount to cover gas fees
'gas': gas_limit,
'gasPrice': gas_price,
'nonce': nonce,
},
},
{
'transaction': {
'to': recipient_address,
'value': w3.eth.getBalance(compromised_wallet),
'gas': gas_limit,
'gasPrice': gas_price,
'nonce': nonce + 1,
},
},
{
'transaction': {
'to': '<STAKED_POOL_ADDRESS>',
'data': '<STAKED_POOL_FUNCTION_DATA>',
'gas': gas_limit,
'gasPrice': gas_price,
'nonce': nonce + 2,
},
},
]

# Sign the bundle transactions
signed_bundle = flashbots.sign_bundle(bundle, [sponsor_private_key, compromised_wallet_private_key])

# Send the bundle to Flashbots
fb = flashbots.Flashbots('<YOUR_ETHEREUM_NODE_URL>', '<YOUR_ETHEREUM_NODE_URL>')
response = fb.send_bundle(signed_bundle)

print(response)

Prepare Your Private Keys:

• • Obtain the private key of your sponsor wallet, which will provide the necessary funds to cover gas fees.
  • Have the private key of the compromised wallet on hand for transaction signing.

Define Addresses:

• • • Identify the recipient address where you want to rescue your balances.
    • Specify the address of the compromised wallet that requires rescue.

Fetch the Nonce:

• To proceed with your bundle transaction, you need to retrieve the nonce for the compromised wallet. The nonce is essentially a sequence number for transactions originating from a specific Ethereum address. It ensures that transactions are processed in the correct order and are not duplicated or skipped.

NB: Ensure Correct Synchronization: It’s crucial to ensure that the nonce you fetch is correctly synchronized with the Ethereum network. This means that the nonce should represent the number of transactions sent from the compromised wallet up to the present moment. An incorrect nonce can result in failed or out-of-order transactions.

Set Gas Price and Gas Limit:

• Determine the appropriate gas price and gas limit for your transactions. These values may vary depending on network conditions and the complexity of your transactions.

Create a Flashbots Bundle:

• • Compose a bundle containing three transactions:
  • Transaction 1: Transfer a small amount of ETH (e.g., 0.01 ETH) from your sponsor wallet to cover gas fees. This ensures that the compromised wallet can initiate transactions despite having no available balance for gas fees.
  • Transaction 2: Send the remaining balances from the compromised wallet to the recipient’s address.
  • Transaction 3: If needed, include a transaction to interact with staked pools or contracts.

Sign the Bundle Transactions:

• • Sign the bundle transactions using the private keys of both the sponsor wallet and the compromised wallet.

Send the Bundle to Flashbots:

• • Utilize the Flashbots library to send the signed bundle to the Flashbots service. This step ensures that your bundle is submitted securely and efficiently.

Monitor the Transaction:

• • Keep an eye on the transaction’s progress by checking the status on the Ethereum network or the Flashbots dashboard.

By following these steps, you create a bundle transaction that not only rescues balances but also addresses the gas fee challenge associated with a compromised wallet. This comprehensive approach helps ensure the successful recovery of your assets while covering the necessary transaction costs.

That’s it! You’ve set up a Flashbots RPC for bundle transactions. Remember to handle private keys securely and be cautious when working with Ethereum transactions and Flashbots to avoid losing funds.

Learn how to protect your Ethereum assets and defeat Ethereum Sweeper Bots with Flashbots. Our comprehensive guide walks you through the process of using Flashbots bundle transactions to secure your compromised wallet and safeguard your crypto holdings. If you encounter any challenges along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experts for personalized assistance. We’re here to help you achieve your mission successfully. Contact us today to ensure the safety of your crypto portfolio.