Hacking the Boundaries of NFTs, with Nahiiko

TL;DR

Nahiiko hacks the boundaries of NFTs by using platforms in unintended ways to create programmable art and expose security issues. The 28-year-old French hacker and digital artist describes at least three high-profile exploits, including two involving Rable and one involving SuperRare. His December 2020 project used IPNS and unconventional API calls to make an NFT’s linked image change, offering a concrete look at how hacking can become art. Read on for the method and philosophy.

Transcript

so do hello and welcome to another week of diffusion live we've got a really exciting one for you this week we've got nahiko who is a 28 year old french hacker and artist digital artist since 2008 who pushes the boundaries not just within crypto art but also hacking around nfts both in terms of platforms and looking for general vulnerabilities and ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔒 Nahiko's hacking exploits focus on showcasing vulnerabilities in NFT platforms to enhance security measures.
• 🥰 The convergence of art and hacking in Nahiko's work unveils a new narrative surrounding programmable art and platform security.
• ❓ Platforms like Wearable and SuperRare have embraced Nahiko's disclosure of exploits and maintain a positive relationship with him.
• 🛰️ Nahiko's exploration of generative art reflects an innovative approach to blending artistry and technology in the NFT space.
• 😌 The value of NFTs lies in the ownership and token utility, emphasizing the importance of sustainable token economies for long-term success.
• 🛰️ Nahiko's engagement in the NFT space highlights the potential for creativity and innovation through the integration of art and technology.
• 🥺 Collaborations between artists and hackers can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in the NFT ecosystem.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Nahiiko hack the boundaries of NFTs?

Nahiiko distinguishes between gaining unauthorized access and using a system in a way its designers did not intend. His first Rable project followed the second approach: he used IPNS and unconventional API calls to make programmable art on a platform that did not support it.

Q: Who is Nahiiko?

Nahiiko is presented as a 28-year-old French hacker and artist who has worked as a digital artist since 2008. He uses the same pseudonymous identity for both his art and white-hat hacking.

Q: What are the two types of hacking Nahiiko describes?

The first type involves direct security issues, such as gaining access to someone’s account. The second involves using a product or platform in an unintended way, which is how he characterizes his first Rable art hack.

Q: Why did Nahiiko hack Rable’s interactive-art functionality?

He wanted to create programmable art, but Rable did not offer that capability. Instead of abandoning the idea, he found a way to force the functionality onto the platform through its underlying token data and API behavior.

Q: How did Nahiiko make an NFT image change?

He explained that an NFT’s token URI points to information such as its title, image, and description. Because blockchain data itself would not change, he used IPNS so the link associated with that information could be changeable while still using the IPFS system.

Q: What role did API calls play in the Rable hack?

Nahiiko made what he called “sneaky” API calls that were not available through the website’s normal interface. This allowed him to get the platform to sign an unexpected transaction and then place it on the blockchain.

Q: Did Nahiiko explain how the programmable-art hack worked?

Yes. He wrote a Medium article that explained the process step by step, including the tools he used, the method, and the philosophy behind the project.

Q: Which NFT platform exploits are discussed?

The conversation identifies at least three high-profile exploits: two involving Rable and one involving SuperRare. It dates the first Rable interactive-art hack to December 2020, the SuperRare hack to January 16, 2021, and a Rable homepage hack to January 23, 2021.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nahiko is a French hacker and artist who explores crypto art and hacking in the NFT space.

• His exploits involve hacking platforms like Wearable and SuperRare to push boundaries and improve security.

• The merging of art and hacking creates a unique narrative around programmable art and platform vulnerabilities.