MetaMask Extension Causes 500GB Daily SSD Data Writes

Consensys, the blockchain firm behind MetaMask, has confirmed that it will soon release a fix for its MetaMask browser extension. This announcement comes after users reported that the extension has been writing hundreds of gigabytes of data per day into their solid-state drives (SSDs), potentially shortening their lifespan.

According to a spokesperson for Consensys, there has been unusually high disk activity affecting certain MetaMask users. One user, under the handle ripper31337, reported on June 24 that after installing the MetaMask extension on Chromium-based browsers, such as Chrome, Edge, and Opera, the extension was continuously writing data to the SSDs in the background without user interaction. The "abnormal disk writing" occurred at a rate of five megabytes per second, totaling 500 gigabytes daily and 25 terabytes in three months.

An SSD generally lasts five to ten years under normal conditions, but can deteriorate much faster and fail with intense usage. Consensys has acknowledged the issue and is actively investigating it. A fix is expected to be released imminently. While browser extension wallets do regularly write state to disk, which is expected behavior, Consensys has noted a recent observation shared by a small number of MetaMask users who reported unusually high disk activity. The issue predominantly impacts users with unusually large state. Consensys is exploring strategies for reducing state size, the size of each write operation, and the frequency of data fetching when the data is not being actively used.

The problem may have been ongoing for months. Another user, under the handle “Quanquan,” flagged the same problem in a review on May 9. The user reported that the Chrome of MacOS, with the MetaMask plug-in turned on but not used, wrote 100G of data to their SSD in one day. After disabling the MetaMask plug-in, the data writing slowed down immediately.

Another user on GitHub, under the handle PopCatMAGA, reported on July 17 that the bug is still active. The user stated that many users don’t even know this is happening and that their browser with the extension runs 24/7, and it’s literally destroyed 50% of their SSD’s lifespan. A member of the MetaMask team responded in the thread on July 19 and reiterated that the team is currently working on a solution to fix the bug.

This critical bug in the MetaMask browser extension poses a significant concern for users who rely on MetaMask for their cryptocurrency transactions and interactions with decentralized applications (dApps). The continuous data writing is a result of the extension's background processes, which are designed to maintain synchronization with the Ethereum blockchain. However, the current implementation appears to be inefficient, leading to unnecessary wear on SSDs.

MetaMask's development team has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix. The bug highlights the importance of regular updates and maintenance for software that interacts with critical hardware components. Users are advised to keep their MetaMask extension up to date and monitor their SSD health to mitigate potential risks. The development team's prompt response to the issue is a positive sign, demonstrating their commitment to addressing security and performance concerns.

The bug serves as a reminder of the broader challenges faced by the cryptocurrency community in ensuring the reliability and security of digital wallets and related software. As the adoption of blockchain technology continues to grow, so too does the need for robust and efficient solutions that can handle the demands of decentralized applications and transactions. The MetaMask bug underscores the importance of continuous improvement and vigilance in the development and maintenance of cryptocurrency infrastructure.