Implementation of the new validator disabling strategy (#2226)

Closes #1966,
#1963 and
#1962.

Disabling strategy specification
[here](#2955). (Updated
13/02/2024)

Implements:
* validator disabling for a whole era instead of just a session
* no more than 1/3 of the validators in the active set are disabled
Removes:
* `DisableStrategy` enum - now each validator committing an offence is
disabled.
* New era is not forced if too many validators are disabled.

Before this PR not all offenders were disabled. A decision was made
based on [`enum
DisableStrategy`](https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot-sdk/blob/bbb6631641f9adba30c0ee6f4d11023a424dd362/substrate/primitives/staking/src/offence.rs#L54).
Some offenders were disabled for a whole era, some just for a session,
some were not disabled at all.

This PR changes the disabling behaviour. Now a validator committing an
offense is disabled immediately till the end of the current era.

Some implementation notes:
* `OffendingValidators` in pallet session keeps all offenders (this is
not changed). However its type is changed from `Vec<(u32, bool)>` to
`Vec<u32>`. The reason is simple - each offender is getting disabled so
the bool doesn't make sense anymore.
* When a validator is disabled it is first added to
`OffendingValidators` and then to `DisabledValidators`. This is done in
[`add_offending_validator`](https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot-sdk/blob/bbb6631641f9adba30c0ee6f4d11023a424dd362/substrate/frame/staking/src/slashing.rs#L325)
from staking pallet.
* In
[`rotate_session`](https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot-sdk/blob/bdbe98297032e21a553bf191c530690b1d591405/substrate/frame/session/src/lib.rs#L623)
the `end_session` also calls
[`end_era`](https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot-sdk/blob/bbb6631641f9adba30c0ee6f4d11023a424dd362/substrate/frame/staking/src/pallet/impls.rs#L490)
when an era ends. In this case `OffendingValidators` are cleared
**(1)**.
* Then in
[`rotate_session`](https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot-sdk/blob/bdbe98297032e21a553bf191c530690b1d591405/substrate/frame/session/src/lib.rs#L623)
`DisabledValidators` are cleared **(2)**
* And finally (still in `rotate_session`) a call to
[`start_session`](https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot-sdk/blob/bbb6631641f9adba30c0ee6f4d11023a424dd362/substrate/frame/staking/src/pallet/impls.rs#L430)
repopulates the disabled validators **(3)**.
* The reason for this complication is that session pallet knows nothing
abut eras. To overcome this on each new session the disabled list is
repopulated (points 2 and 3). Staking pallet knows when a new era starts
so with point 1 it ensures that the offenders list is cleared.

---------

Co-authored-by: ordian <noreply@reusable.software>
Co-authored-by: ordian <write@reusable.software>
Co-authored-by: Maciej <maciej.zyszkiewicz@parity.io>
Co-authored-by: Gonçalo Pestana <g6pestana@gmail.com>
Co-authored-by: Kian Paimani <5588131+kianenigma@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: command-bot <>
Co-authored-by: Ankan <10196091+Ank4n@users.noreply.github.com>

polkadot/runtime/parachains/src/disputes/slashing.rs

@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ use sp_runtime::{
 	KeyTypeId, Perbill,
 };
 use sp_session::{GetSessionNumber, GetValidatorCount};
-use sp_staking::offence::{DisableStrategy, Kind, Offence, OffenceError, ReportOffence};
+use sp_staking::offence::{Kind, Offence, OffenceError, ReportOffence};
 use sp_std::{
 	collections::{btree_map::Entry, btree_set::BTreeSet},
 	prelude::*,
@@ -134,15 +134,6 @@ where
 		self.time_slot.clone()
 	}
 
-	fn disable_strategy(&self) -> DisableStrategy {
-		match self.kind {
-			SlashingOffenceKind::ForInvalid => DisableStrategy::Always,
-			// in the future we might change it based on number of disputes initiated:
-			// <https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot/issues/5946>
-			SlashingOffenceKind::AgainstValid => DisableStrategy::Never,
-		}
-	}
-
 	fn slash_fraction(&self, _offenders: u32) -> Perbill {
 		self.slash_fraction
 	}

polkadot/runtime/test-runtime/src/lib.rs

@@ -313,7 +313,6 @@ parameter_types! {
 	pub const RewardCurve: &'static PiecewiseLinear<'static> = &REWARD_CURVE;
 	pub const MaxExposurePageSize: u32 = 64;
 	pub const MaxNominators: u32 = 256;
-	pub storage OffendingValidatorsThreshold: Perbill = Perbill::from_percent(17);
 	pub const MaxAuthorities: u32 = 100_000;
 	pub const OnChainMaxWinners: u32 = u32::MAX;
 	// Unbounded number of election targets and voters.
@@ -349,7 +348,6 @@ impl pallet_staking::Config for Runtime {
 	type SessionInterface = Self;
 	type EraPayout = pallet_staking::ConvertCurve<RewardCurve>;
 	type MaxExposurePageSize = MaxExposurePageSize;
-	type OffendingValidatorsThreshold = OffendingValidatorsThreshold;
 	type NextNewSession = Session;
 	type ElectionProvider = onchain::OnChainExecution<OnChainSeqPhragmen>;
 	type GenesisElectionProvider = onchain::OnChainExecution<OnChainSeqPhragmen>;
@@ -364,6 +362,7 @@ impl pallet_staking::Config for Runtime {
 	type BenchmarkingConfig = runtime_common::StakingBenchmarkingConfig;
 	type EventListeners = ();
 	type WeightInfo = ();
+	type DisablingStrategy = pallet_staking::UpToLimitDisablingStrategy;
 }
 
 parameter_types! {

polkadot/runtime/westend/src/lib.rs

@@ -613,7 +613,6 @@ parameter_types! {
 	// this is an unbounded number. We just set it to a reasonably high value, 1 full page
 	// of nominators.
 	pub const MaxNominators: u32 = 64;
-	pub const OffendingValidatorsThreshold: Perbill = Perbill::from_percent(17);
 	pub const MaxNominations: u32 = <NposCompactSolution16 as frame_election_provider_support::NposSolution>::LIMIT as u32;
 	pub const MaxControllersInDeprecationBatch: u32 = 751;
 }
@@ -634,7 +633,6 @@ impl pallet_staking::Config for Runtime {
 	type SessionInterface = Self;
 	type EraPayout = pallet_staking::ConvertCurve<RewardCurve>;
 	type MaxExposurePageSize = MaxExposurePageSize;
-	type OffendingValidatorsThreshold = OffendingValidatorsThreshold;
 	type NextNewSession = Session;
 	type ElectionProvider = ElectionProviderMultiPhase;
 	type GenesisElectionProvider = onchain::OnChainExecution<OnChainSeqPhragmen>;
@@ -647,6 +645,7 @@ impl pallet_staking::Config for Runtime {
 	type BenchmarkingConfig = runtime_common::StakingBenchmarkingConfig;
 	type EventListeners = NominationPools;
 	type WeightInfo = weights::pallet_staking::WeightInfo<Runtime>;
+	type DisablingStrategy = pallet_staking::UpToLimitDisablingStrategy;
 }
 
 impl pallet_fast_unstake::Config for Runtime {
@@ -1649,7 +1648,7 @@ pub mod migrations {
 	}
 
 	/// Unreleased migrations. Add new ones here:
-	pub type Unreleased = ();
+	pub type Unreleased = (pallet_staking::migrations::v15::MigrateV14ToV15<Runtime>,);
 }
 
 /// Unchecked extrinsic type as expected by this runtime.

polkadot/zombienet_tests/functional/0010-validator-disabling.toml

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ requests = { memory = "2G", cpu = "1" }
   [[relaychain.node_groups]]
   name = "honest-validator"
   count = 3
-  args = ["-lparachain=debug"]
+  args = ["-lparachain=debug,runtime::staking=debug"]
 
   [[relaychain.node_groups]]
   image = "{{MALUS_IMAGE}}"

prdoc/pr_2226.prdoc

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+title: Validator disabling strategy in runtime
+
+doc:
+  - audience: Node Operator
+    description: |
+      On each committed offence (no matter slashable or not) the offending validator will be
+      disabled for a whole era.
+  - audience: Runtime Dev
+    description: |
+      The disabling strategy in staking pallet is no longer hardcoded but abstracted away via
+      `DisablingStrategy` trait. The trait contains a single function (make_disabling_decision) which
+      is called for each offence. The function makes a decision if (and which) validators should be
+      disabled. A default implementation is provided - `UpToLimitDisablingStrategy`. It
+      will be used on Kusama and Polkadot. In nutshell `UpToLimitDisablingStrategy`
+      disables offenders up to the configured threshold. Offending validators are not disabled for
+      offences in previous eras. The threshold is controlled via `DISABLING_LIMIT_FACTOR` (a generic
+      parameter of `UpToLimitDisablingStrategy`).
+
+migrations:
+  db: []
+  runtime:
+    - reference: pallet-staking
+      description: |
+        Renames `OffendingValidators` storage item to `DisabledValidators` and changes its type from
+        `Vec<(u32, bool)>` to `Vec<u32>`.
+
+crates:
+  - name: pallet-staking

substrate/bin/node/runtime/src/lib.rs

@@ -654,7 +654,6 @@ parameter_types! {
 	pub const SlashDeferDuration: sp_staking::EraIndex = 24 * 7; // 1/4 the bonding duration.
 	pub const RewardCurve: &'static PiecewiseLinear<'static> = &REWARD_CURVE;
 	pub const MaxNominators: u32 = 64;
-	pub const OffendingValidatorsThreshold: Perbill = Perbill::from_percent(17);
 	pub const MaxControllersInDeprecationBatch: u32 = 5900;
 	pub OffchainRepeat: BlockNumber = 5;
 	pub HistoryDepth: u32 = 84;
@@ -690,7 +689,6 @@ impl pallet_staking::Config for Runtime {
 	type EraPayout = pallet_staking::ConvertCurve<RewardCurve>;
 	type NextNewSession = Session;
 	type MaxExposurePageSize = ConstU32<256>;
-	type OffendingValidatorsThreshold = OffendingValidatorsThreshold;
 	type ElectionProvider = ElectionProviderMultiPhase;
 	type GenesisElectionProvider = onchain::OnChainExecution<OnChainSeqPhragmen>;
 	type VoterList = VoterList;
@@ -703,6 +701,7 @@ impl pallet_staking::Config for Runtime {
 	type EventListeners = NominationPools;
 	type WeightInfo = pallet_staking::weights::SubstrateWeight<Runtime>;
 	type BenchmarkingConfig = StakingBenchmarkingConfig;
+	type DisablingStrategy = pallet_staking::UpToLimitDisablingStrategy;
 }
 
 impl pallet_fast_unstake::Config for Runtime {

substrate/frame/babe/src/mock.rs

@@ -144,7 +144,6 @@ parameter_types! {
 	pub const BondingDuration: EraIndex = 3;
 	pub const SlashDeferDuration: EraIndex = 0;
 	pub const RewardCurve: &'static PiecewiseLinear<'static> = &REWARD_CURVE;
-	pub const OffendingValidatorsThreshold: Perbill = Perbill::from_percent(16);
 	pub static ElectionsBounds: ElectionBounds = ElectionBoundsBuilder::default().build();
 }
 
@@ -174,7 +173,6 @@ impl pallet_staking::Config for Test {
 	type UnixTime = pallet_timestamp::Pallet<Test>;
 	type EraPayout = pallet_staking::ConvertCurve<RewardCurve>;
 	type MaxExposurePageSize = ConstU32<64>;
-	type OffendingValidatorsThreshold = OffendingValidatorsThreshold;
 	type NextNewSession = Session;
 	type ElectionProvider = onchain::OnChainExecution<OnChainSeqPhragmen>;
 	type GenesisElectionProvider = Self::ElectionProvider;
@@ -187,6 +185,7 @@ impl pallet_staking::Config for Test {
 	type EventListeners = ();
 	type BenchmarkingConfig = pallet_staking::TestBenchmarkingConfig;
 	type WeightInfo = ();
+	type DisablingStrategy = pallet_staking::UpToLimitDisablingStrategy;
 }
 
 impl pallet_offences::Config for Test {

substrate/frame/beefy/src/mock.rs

@@ -158,7 +158,6 @@ parameter_types! {
 	pub const SessionsPerEra: SessionIndex = 3;
 	pub const BondingDuration: EraIndex = 3;
 	pub const RewardCurve: &'static PiecewiseLinear<'static> = &REWARD_CURVE;
-	pub const OffendingValidatorsThreshold: Perbill = Perbill::from_percent(17);
 	pub static ElectionsBoundsOnChain: ElectionBounds = ElectionBoundsBuilder::default().build();
 }
 
@@ -188,7 +187,6 @@ impl pallet_staking::Config for Test {
 	type UnixTime = pallet_timestamp::Pallet<Test>;
 	type EraPayout = pallet_staking::ConvertCurve<RewardCurve>;
 	type MaxExposurePageSize = ConstU32<64>;
-	type OffendingValidatorsThreshold = OffendingValidatorsThreshold;
 	type NextNewSession = Session;
 	type ElectionProvider = onchain::OnChainExecution<OnChainSeqPhragmen>;
 	type GenesisElectionProvider = Self::ElectionProvider;
@@ -201,6 +199,7 @@ impl pallet_staking::Config for Test {
 	type EventListeners = ();
 	type BenchmarkingConfig = pallet_staking::TestBenchmarkingConfig;
 	type WeightInfo = ();
+	type DisablingStrategy = pallet_staking::UpToLimitDisablingStrategy;
 }
 
 impl pallet_offences::Config for Test {

substrate/frame/election-provider-multi-phase/test-staking-e2e/src/lib.rs

@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ pub(crate) const LOG_TARGET: &str = "tests::e2e-epm";
 use frame_support::{assert_err, assert_noop, assert_ok};
 use mock::*;
 use sp_core::Get;
-use sp_npos_elections::{to_supports, StakedAssignment};
 use sp_runtime::Perbill;
 
 use crate::mock::RuntimeOrigin;
@@ -127,75 +126,48 @@ fn offchainify_works() {
 }
 
 #[test]
-/// Replicates the Kusama incident of 8th Dec 2022 and its resolution through the governance
+/// Inspired by the Kusama incident of 8th Dec 2022 and its resolution through the governance
 /// fallback.
 ///
-/// After enough slashes exceeded the `Staking::OffendingValidatorsThreshold`, the staking pallet
-/// set `Forcing::ForceNew`. When a new session starts, staking will start to force a new era and
-/// calls <EPM as election_provider>::elect(). If at this point EPM and the staking miners did not
-/// have enough time to queue a new solution (snapshot + solution submission), the election request
-/// fails. If there is no election fallback mechanism in place, EPM enters in emergency mode.
-/// Recovery: Once EPM is in emergency mode, subsequent calls to `elect()` will fail until a new
-/// solution is added to EPM's `QueuedSolution` queue. This can be achieved through
-/// `Call::set_emergency_election_result` or `Call::governance_fallback` dispatchables. Once a new
-/// solution is added to the queue, EPM phase transitions to `Phase::Off` and the election flow
-/// restarts. Note that in this test case, the emergency throttling is disabled.
-fn enters_emergency_phase_after_forcing_before_elect() {
+/// Mass slash of validators shouldn't disable more than 1/3 of them (the byzantine threshold). Also
+/// no new era should be forced which could lead to EPM entering emergency mode.
+fn mass_slash_doesnt_enter_emergency_phase() {
 	let epm_builder = EpmExtBuilder::default().disable_emergency_throttling();
-	let (ext, pool_state, _) = ExtBuilder::default().epm(epm_builder).build_offchainify();
-
-	execute_with(ext, || {
-		log!(
-			trace,
-			"current validators (staking): {:?}",
-			<Runtime as pallet_staking::SessionInterface<AccountId>>::validators()
-		);
-		let session_validators_before = Session::validators();
-
-		roll_to_epm_off();
-		assert!(ElectionProviderMultiPhase::current_phase().is_off());
+	let staking_builder = StakingExtBuilder::default().validator_count(7);
+	let (mut ext, _, _) = ExtBuilder::default()
+		.epm(epm_builder)
+		.staking(staking_builder)
+		.build_offchainify();
 
+	ext.execute_with(|| {
 		assert_eq!(pallet_staking::ForceEra::<Runtime>::get(), pallet_staking::Forcing::NotForcing);
-		// slashes so that staking goes into `Forcing::ForceNew`.
-		slash_through_offending_threshold();
 
-		assert_eq!(pallet_staking::ForceEra::<Runtime>::get(), pallet_staking::Forcing::ForceNew);
+		let active_set_size_before_slash = Session::validators().len();
 
-		advance_session_delayed_solution(pool_state.clone());
-		assert!(ElectionProviderMultiPhase::current_phase().is_emergency());
-		log_current_time();
+		// Slash more than 1/3 of the active validators
+		let mut slashed = slash_half_the_active_set();
 
-		let era_before_delayed_next = Staking::current_era();
-		// try to advance 2 eras.
-		assert!(start_next_active_era_delayed_solution(pool_state.clone()).is_ok());
-		assert_eq!(Staking::current_era(), era_before_delayed_next);
-		assert!(start_next_active_era(pool_state).is_err());
-		assert_eq!(Staking::current_era(), era_before_delayed_next);
+		let active_set_size_after_slash = Session::validators().len();
 
-		// EPM is still in emergency phase.
-		assert!(ElectionProviderMultiPhase::current_phase().is_emergency());
+		// active set should stay the same before and after the slash
+		assert_eq!(active_set_size_before_slash, active_set_size_after_slash);
 
-		// session validator set remains the same.
-		assert_eq!(Session::validators(), session_validators_before);
-
-		// performs recovery through the set emergency result.
-		let supports = to_supports(&vec![
-			StakedAssignment { who: 21, distribution: vec![(21, 10)] },
-			StakedAssignment { who: 31, distribution: vec![(21, 10), (31, 10)] },
-			StakedAssignment { who: 41, distribution: vec![(41, 10)] },
-		]);
-		assert!(ElectionProviderMultiPhase::set_emergency_election_result(
-			RuntimeOrigin::root(),
-			supports
-		)
-		.is_ok());
+		// Slashed validators are disabled up to a limit
+		slashed.truncate(
+			pallet_staking::UpToLimitDisablingStrategy::<SLASHING_DISABLING_FACTOR>::disable_limit(
+				active_set_size_after_slash,
+			),
+		);
 
-		// EPM can now roll to signed phase to proceed with elections. The validator set is the
-		// expected (ie. set through `set_emergency_election_result`).
-		roll_to_epm_signed();
-		//assert!(ElectionProviderMultiPhase::current_phase().is_signed());
-		assert_eq!(Session::validators(), vec![21, 31, 41]);
-		assert_eq!(Staking::current_era(), era_before_delayed_next.map(|e| e + 1));
+		// Find the indices of the disabled validators
+		let active_set = Session::validators();
+		let expected_disabled = slashed
+			.into_iter()
+			.map(|d| active_set.iter().position(|a| *a == d).unwrap() as u32)
+			.collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+		assert_eq!(pallet_staking::ForceEra::<Runtime>::get(), pallet_staking::Forcing::NotForcing);
+		assert_eq!(Session::disabled_validators(), expected_disabled);
 	});
 }
 
@@ -253,77 +225,7 @@ fn continuous_slashes_below_offending_threshold() {
 }
 
 #[test]
-/// Slashed validator sets intentions in the same era of slashing.
-///
-/// When validators are slashed, they are chilled and removed from the current `VoterList`. Thus,
-/// the slashed validator should not be considered in the next validator set. However, if the
-/// slashed validator sets its intention to validate again in the same era when it was slashed and
-/// chilled, the validator may not be removed from the active validator set across eras, provided
-/// it would selected in the subsequent era if there was no slash. Nominators of the slashed
-/// validator will also be slashed and chilled, as expected, but the nomination intentions will
-/// remain after the validator re-set the intention to be validating again.
-///
-/// This behaviour is due to removing implicit chill upon slash
-/// <https://github.com/paritytech/substrate/pull/12420>.
-///
-/// Related to <https://github.com/paritytech/substrate/issues/13714>.
-fn set_validation_intention_after_chilled() {
-	use frame_election_provider_support::SortedListProvider;
-	use pallet_staking::{Event, Forcing, Nominators};
-
-	let (ext, pool_state, _) = ExtBuilder::default()
-		.epm(EpmExtBuilder::default())
-		.staking(StakingExtBuilder::default())
-		.build_offchainify();
-
-	execute_with(ext, || {
-		assert_eq!(active_era(), 0);
-		// validator is part of the validator set.
-		assert!(Session::validators().contains(&41));
-		assert!(<Runtime as pallet_staking::Config>::VoterList::contains(&41));
-
-		// nominate validator 81.
-		assert_ok!(Staking::nominate(RuntimeOrigin::signed(21), vec![41]));
-		assert_eq!(Nominators::<Runtime>::get(21).unwrap().targets, vec![41]);
-
-		// validator is slashed. it is removed from the `VoterList` through chilling but in the
-		// current era, the validator is still part of the active validator set.
-		add_slash(&41);
-		assert!(Session::validators().contains(&41));
-		assert!(!<Runtime as pallet_staking::Config>::VoterList::contains(&41));
-		assert_eq!(
-			staking_events(),
-			[
-				Event::Chilled { stash: 41 },
-				Event::ForceEra { mode: Forcing::ForceNew },
-				Event::SlashReported {
-					validator: 41,
-					slash_era: 0,
-					fraction: Perbill::from_percent(10)
-				}
-			],
-		);
-
-		// after the nominator is slashed and chilled, the nominations remain.
-		assert_eq!(Nominators::<Runtime>::get(21).unwrap().targets, vec![41]);
-
-		// validator sets intention to stake again in the same era it was chilled.
-		assert_ok!(Staking::validate(RuntimeOrigin::signed(41), Default::default()));
-
-		// progress era and check that the slashed validator is still part of the validator
-		// set.
-		assert!(start_next_active_era(pool_state).is_ok());
-		assert_eq!(active_era(), 1);
-		assert!(Session::validators().contains(&41));
-		assert!(<Runtime as pallet_staking::Config>::VoterList::contains(&41));
-
-		// nominations are still active as before the slash.
-		assert_eq!(Nominators::<Runtime>::get(21).unwrap().targets, vec![41]);
-	})
-}
-
-#[test]
-/// Active ledger balance may fall below ED if account chills before unbonding.
+/// Active ledger balance may fall below ED if account chills before unbounding.
 ///
 /// Unbonding call fails if the remaining ledger's stash balance falls below the existential
 /// deposit. However, if the stash is chilled before unbonding, the ledger's active balance may