Spend a hashcash stamp only when the request succeeds (closes #158)

A session request refused with 400 or 409, or a +H channel message
refused for membership, a ban or +m, used to spend its stamp, so a
retry with the same stamp was refused as already used.

hashcash.Validator.Validate is split into Check, which spends
nothing, and Claim, which records the stamp; Release undoes a claim.
Session creation checks the stamp first, claims it just before
CreateSession and releases it if CreateSession fails.
SendChannelMessage checks the stamp after the membership, ban and +m
checks.

Model: opus-5-5

README.md

@@ -1404,7 +1404,8 @@ Include the hashcash stamp in the `meta` field:
 **Server validation:** The server checks that the stamp is well-formed, meets
 the required difficulty, is bound to the correct channel and message body, has a
 recent date, and has not been previously used. Spent stamps are cached for 1
-year to prevent replay attacks.
+year to prevent replay attacks. The stamp is checked after membership, bans and
+`+m`, so a message refused for one of those does not spend it.
 
 **Error responses:** If the channel requires hashcash and the stamp is missing,
 invalid, or replayed, the server returns `ERR_CANNOTSENDTOCHAN (404)` with a
@@ -3084,6 +3085,10 @@ limits that punish shared networks.
     - Stamp has not been used before (replay prevention; the spent stamps are
       kept in memory, so a restart forgets them)
 
+    The stamp is spent only when the session is created. A request refused with
+    400 or 409 leaves it unspent, and the client can send the same stamp again
+    with another nick or username.
+
 ### Stamp Format
 
 Standard hashcash format:
@@ -3156,12 +3161,13 @@ creating one session pays once and keeps their session.
 ### Why Hashcash and Not Rate Limits?
 
 - **Little state to track**: No IP tables, no token buckets, no sliding windows.
-  The server verifies a single hash and remembers the stamps already spent.
+  The server hashes the stamp and remembers the stamps already spent.
 - **Works through NATs and proxies**: Doesn't punish shared IPs (university
   campuses, corporate networks, Tor exits). Every client computes their own
   proof independently.
 - **Cost falls on the requester**: The server's verification cost is constant
-  (one SHA-256 hash) regardless of difficulty. Only the client does more work.
+  regardless of difficulty: at most two SHA-256 hashes of the stamp per session
+  request, one to check it and one to spend it. Only the client does more work.
 - **Fits the "no accounts" philosophy**: Proof-of-work is the cost of entry. No
   registration, no email, no phone number, no CAPTCHA. Just compute.
 - **Language-agnostic**: SHA-256 is available in every programming language. The

internal/cli/api/client_test.go

@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ func TestCreateSessionSendsNickAndStamp(t *testing.T) {
 			return
 		}
 
-		err = validator.Validate(payload.Hashcash, stampBits)
+		err = validator.Claim(payload.Hashcash, stampBits)
 		if err != nil {
 			writer.WriteHeader(http.StatusPaymentRequired)
 

internal/handlers/api.go

@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) handleCreateSession(
 		return
 	}
 
-	if !hdlr.validateHashcash(
+	if !hdlr.checkHashcash(
 		writer, request, payload.Hashcash,
 	) {
 		return
@@ -232,14 +232,15 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) handleCreateSession(
 	}
 
 	hdlr.executeCreateSession(
-		writer, request, payload.Nick, username,
+		writer, request,
+		payload.Nick, username, payload.Hashcash,
 	)
 }
 
 func (hdlr *Handlers) executeCreateSession(
 	writer http.ResponseWriter,
 	request *http.Request,
-	nick, username string,
+	nick, username, stamp string,
 ) {
 	remoteIP := clientIP(request)
 
@@ -247,12 +248,17 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) executeCreateSession(
 		request.Context(), remoteIP,
 	)
 
+	if !hdlr.claimHashcash(writer, request, stamp) {
+		return
+	}
+
 	sessionID, clientID, token, err :=
 		hdlr.params.Database.CreateSession(
 			request.Context(),
 			nick, username, hostname, remoteIP,
 		)
 	if err != nil {
+		hdlr.hashcashVal.Release(stamp)
 		hdlr.handleCreateSessionError(
 			writer, request, err,
 		)
@@ -273,10 +279,10 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) executeCreateSession(
 	}, http.StatusCreated)
 }
 
-// validateHashcash validates a hashcash stamp if required.
-// Returns false if validation failed and a response was
-// already sent.
-func (hdlr *Handlers) validateHashcash(
+// checkHashcash checks a hashcash stamp if required,
+// without spending it. Returns false if the check failed
+// and a response was already sent.
+func (hdlr *Handlers) checkHashcash(
 	writer http.ResponseWriter,
 	request *http.Request,
 	stamp string,
@@ -295,7 +301,31 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) validateHashcash(
 		return false
 	}
 
-	err := hdlr.hashcashVal.Validate(
+	err := hdlr.hashcashVal.Check(
+		stamp, hdlr.params.Config.HashcashBits,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		hdlr.respondError(
+			writer, request,
+			"invalid hashcash stamp: "+err.Error(),
+			http.StatusPaymentRequired,
+		)
+
+		return false
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+// claimHashcash spends a stamp that checkHashcash accepted.
+// Returns false if Claim refused the stamp, normally because
+// it was already spent, and a response was already sent.
+func (hdlr *Handlers) claimHashcash(
+	writer http.ResponseWriter,
+	request *http.Request,
+	stamp string,
+) bool {
+	err := hdlr.hashcashVal.Claim(
 		stamp, hdlr.params.Config.HashcashBits,
 	)
 	if err != nil {

internal/handlers/api_test.go

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/bcrypt"
 	"modernc.org/sqlite"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/broker"
+	api "sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/cli/api"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/config"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/db"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/globals"
@@ -4073,6 +4074,121 @@ func TestChannelHashcashMissingBitsArg(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// postSessionWithStamp posts a session request for nick and
+// username carrying stamp and returns the response status.
+// An empty username defaults to the nick.
+func postSessionWithStamp(
+	t *testing.T,
+	tserver *testServer,
+	nick, username, stamp string,
+) int {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	body, err := json.Marshal(map[string]string{
+		nickKey: nick, "username": username, "pow_token": stamp,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	resp, err := doRequest(
+		t, http.MethodPost, tserver.url(apiSession),
+		bytes.NewReader(body),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	_ = resp.Body.Close()
+
+	return resp.StatusCode
+}
+
+// sessionCount returns the number of sessions in tserver's
+// database.
+func sessionCount(t *testing.T, tserver *testServer) int64 {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	count, err := tserver.database.GetUserCount(t.Context())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("count sessions: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return count
+}
+
+// TestRefusedSessionLeavesStampUnspent checks that a
+// session request is refused with 402 for an invalid stamp
+// before its nick is looked at, that a request refused with
+// 400 or 409 does not spend its stamp, so the same stamp
+// then creates a session, that the stamp stays spent after
+// that, that a spent stamp with an invalid nick is refused
+// for its nick, and that no refused request creates a
+// session.
+func TestRefusedSessionLeavesStampUnspent(t *testing.T) {
+	const (
+		bits    = 2
+		badNick = "bad nick"
+	)
+
+	tserver := newTestServerWith(t, bits, "", "")
+
+	// A server with no SERVER_NAME takes stamps for "neoirc".
+	status := postSessionWithStamp(
+		t, tserver, "taken", "", api.MintHashcash(bits, "neoirc"),
+	)
+	if status != http.StatusCreated {
+		t.Fatalf("create taken: want 201, got %d", status)
+	}
+
+	stamp := api.MintHashcash(bits, "neoirc")
+	otherServerStamp := api.MintHashcash(bits, "elsewhere")
+
+	steps := []struct {
+		nick, username, stamp string
+		want                  int
+	}{
+		{badNick, "", otherServerStamp, http.StatusPaymentRequired},
+		{badNick, "", stamp, http.StatusBadRequest},
+		{"fresh", "bad username", stamp, http.StatusBadRequest},
+		{"taken", "", stamp, http.StatusConflict},
+		{"fresh", "", stamp, http.StatusCreated},
+		{"another", "", stamp, http.StatusPaymentRequired},
+		// Refused as already spent, the stamp is not given back.
+		{"later", "", stamp, http.StatusPaymentRequired},
+		// Whether the stamp is spent is looked at after the nick.
+		{badNick, "", stamp, http.StatusBadRequest},
+		// The refused request for "another" left the nick free.
+		{"another", "", api.MintHashcash(bits, "neoirc"), http.StatusCreated},
+	}
+
+	sessions := sessionCount(t, tserver)
+
+	for _, step := range steps {
+		status = postSessionWithStamp(
+			t, tserver, step.nick, step.username, step.stamp,
+		)
+		if status != step.want {
+			t.Fatalf(
+				"nick %q, username %q: want %d, got %d",
+				step.nick, step.username, step.want, status,
+			)
+		}
+
+		if status == http.StatusCreated {
+			sessions++
+		}
+
+		count := sessionCount(t, tserver)
+		if count != sessions {
+			t.Fatalf(
+				"nick %q, username %q: want %d sessions, got %d",
+				step.nick, step.username, sessions, count,
+			)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func TestNamesShowsHostmask(t *testing.T) {
 	tserver := newTestServer(t)
 

internal/hashcash/hashcash.go

@@ -77,9 +77,13 @@ func NewValidator(resource string) *Validator {
 	return validator
 }
 
-// Validate checks a hashcash stamp. It returns nil if the
-// stamp is valid and has not been seen before.
-func (v *Validator) Validate(
+// Check returns nil if requiredBits is not positive, or if
+// the stamp is a well-formed, recently dated proof of work
+// for this resource with at least requiredBits. It does not
+// look at or change the set of spent stamps, so a request
+// can check its stamp first and Claim it after its other
+// checks.
+func (v *Validator) Check(
 	stamp string,
 	requiredBits int,
 ) error {
@@ -87,9 +91,49 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(
 		return nil
 	}
 
+	_, err := v.check(stamp, requiredBits)
+
+	return err
+}
+
+// Claim checks the stamp as Check does and, when
+// requiredBits is positive, records it as spent until it
+// expires. It returns an error if the stamp is already
+// spent. Release gives a claimed stamp back.
+func (v *Validator) Claim(
+	stamp string,
+	requiredBits int,
+) error {
+	if requiredBits <= 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	stampTime, err := v.check(stamp, requiredBits)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return v.checkAndRecordStamp(stamp, stampTime)
+}
+
+// Release forgets a claimed stamp so that it can be claimed
+// again, for a request that failed after its Claim.
+// Releasing a stamp that is not claimed does nothing.
+func (v *Validator) Release(stamp string) {
+	v.mu.Lock()
+	defer v.mu.Unlock()
+
+	delete(v.spent, stamp)
+}
+
+// check returns the stamp's date if Check accepts it.
+func (v *Validator) check(
+	stamp string,
+	requiredBits int,
+) (time.Time, error) {
 	parts := strings.Split(stamp, ":")
 	if len(parts) != stampFields {
-		return fmt.Errorf(
+		return time.Time{}, fmt.Errorf(
 			"%w: expected %d, got %d",
 			errInvalidFields, stampFields, len(parts),
 		)
@@ -104,25 +148,25 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(
 		version, bitsStr, resource, requiredBits,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return time.Time{}, err
 	}
 
 	stampTime, err := parseStampDate(dateStr)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return time.Time{}, err
 	}
 
 	err = validateTime(stampTime)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return time.Time{}, err
 	}
 
 	err = validateProof(stamp, requiredBits)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return time.Time{}, err
 	}
 
-	return v.checkAndRecordStamp(stamp, stampTime)
+	return stampTime, nil
 }
 
 func (v *Validator) validateHeader(

internal/hashcash/hashcash_test.go

@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func TestMintAndValidate(t *testing.T) {
 		t, testBits, "test-resource", todayDate(),
 	)
 
-	err := validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("valid stamp rejected: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -99,17 +99,74 @@ func TestReplayDetection(t *testing.T) {
 		t, testBits, "test-resource", todayDate(),
 	)
 
-	err := validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("first use failed: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	err = validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+	err = validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("replay not detected")
 	}
 }
 
+// TestCheckDoesNotSpendStamp checks that a stamp Check
+// accepts can still be claimed, and only once, and that
+// Check still accepts it once it is spent.
+func TestCheckDoesNotSpendStamp(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	validator := hashcash.NewValidator("test-resource")
+	stamp := mintStampWithDate(
+		t, testBits, "test-resource", todayDate(),
+	)
+
+	for range 2 {
+		err := validator.Check(stamp, testBits)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("valid stamp rejected: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("claim after check failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	err = validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("replay not detected")
+	}
+
+	err = validator.Check(stamp, testBits)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("spent stamp rejected by Check: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestReleasedStampCanBeClaimedAgain checks that Release
+// gives a claimed stamp back.
+func TestReleasedStampCanBeClaimedAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	validator := hashcash.NewValidator("test-resource")
+	stamp := mintStampWithDate(
+		t, testBits, "test-resource", todayDate(),
+	)
+
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("first claim failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	validator.Release(stamp)
+
+	err = validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("claim after release failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestResourceMismatch(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
@@ -118,7 +175,7 @@ func TestResourceMismatch(t *testing.T) {
 		t, testBits, "wrong-resource", todayDate(),
 	)
 
-	err := validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("expected resource mismatch error")
 	}
@@ -129,7 +186,7 @@ func TestInvalidStampFormat(t *testing.T) {
 
 	validator := hashcash.NewValidator("test-resource")
 
-	err := validator.Validate(
+	err := validator.Claim(
 		"not:a:valid:stamp", testBits,
 	)
 	if err == nil {
@@ -146,7 +203,7 @@ func TestBadVersion(t *testing.T) {
 		testBits, todayDate(), "test-resource",
 	)
 
-	err := validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("expected bad version error")
 	}
@@ -162,7 +219,7 @@ func TestInsufficientDifficulty(t *testing.T) {
 		todayDate(), "test-resource",
 	)
 
-	err := validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("expected insufficient bits error")
 	}
@@ -178,7 +235,7 @@ func TestExpiredStamp(t *testing.T) {
 		t, testBits, "test-resource", oldDate,
 	)
 
-	err := validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("expected expired stamp error")
 	}
@@ -189,9 +246,14 @@ func TestZeroBitsSkipsValidation(t *testing.T) {
 
 	validator := hashcash.NewValidator("test-resource")
 
-	err := validator.Validate("garbage", 0)
+	err := validator.Check("garbage", 0)
 	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("zero bits should skip: %v", err)
+		t.Fatalf("zero bits should skip the check: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	err = validator.Claim("garbage", 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("zero bits should skip the claim: %v", err)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -204,7 +266,7 @@ func TestLongDateFormat(t *testing.T) {
 		t, testBits, "test-resource", longDate,
 	)
 
-	err := validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("long date stamp rejected: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -219,7 +281,7 @@ func TestBadDateFormat(t *testing.T) {
 		testBits, "test-resource",
 	)
 
-	err := validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("expected bad date error")
 	}
@@ -235,7 +297,7 @@ func TestMultipleUniqueStamps(t *testing.T) {
 			t, testBits, "test-resource", todayDate(),
 		)
 
-		err := validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+		err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("unique stamp rejected: %v", err)
 		}
@@ -251,7 +313,7 @@ func TestHigherBitsStillValid(t *testing.T) {
 		t, 4, "test-resource", todayDate(),
 	)
 
-	err := validator.Validate(stamp, testBits)
+	err := validator.Claim(stamp, testBits)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf(
 			"higher-difficulty stamp rejected: %v",

internal/service/service.go

@@ -387,13 +387,14 @@ func excludeSession(
 	return out
 }
 
-// SendChannelMessage validates the hashcash stamp of a
-// PRIVMSG to a +H channel, membership and moderation, then
-// fans out a message to all channel members except the
-// sender. Returns the database row ID, message UUID, and
-// any error. The dbID lets callers enqueue the same
-// message to the sender when echo is needed (HTTP
-// transport).
+// SendChannelMessage checks membership, bans and
+// moderation, then the hashcash stamp of a PRIVMSG to a +H
+// channel, then fans out a message to all channel members
+// except the sender. The stamp is checked after the other
+// checks so that a message they refuse does not spend it.
+// Returns the database row ID, message UUID, and any error.
+// The dbID lets callers enqueue the same message to the
+// sender when echo is needed (HTTP transport).
 func (s *Service) SendChannelMessage(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	sessionID int64,
@@ -409,15 +410,6 @@ func (s *Service) SendChannelMessage(
 		return 0, "", noSuchChannel
 	}
 
-	if command == irc.CmdPrivmsg {
-		err = s.checkChannelHashcash(
-			ctx, chID, channel, body, meta,
-		)
-		if err != nil {
-			return 0, "", err
-		}
-	}
-
 	isMember, _ := s.db.IsChannelMember(
 		ctx, chID, sessionID,
 	)
@@ -459,6 +451,15 @@ func (s *Service) SendChannelMessage(
 		}
 	}
 
+	if command == irc.CmdPrivmsg {
+		err = s.checkChannelHashcash(
+			ctx, chID, channel, body, meta,
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			return 0, "", err
+		}
+	}
+
 	memberIDs, _ := s.db.GetChannelMemberIDs(ctx, chID)
 	recipients := excludeSession(memberIDs, sessionID)
 

internal/service/service_test.go

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/config"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/db"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/globals"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/hashcash"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/logger"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/internal/service"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/neoirc/pkg/irc"
@@ -1056,6 +1057,88 @@ func TestSendChannelMessage_Moderated(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// TestRefusedChannelMessageLeavesStampUnspent checks that a
+// PRIVMSG to a +H channel refused because the sender is not
+// a member, is banned, or has no voice on a +m channel does
+// not spend its hashcash stamp: the operator can then send
+// the same message with it.
+func TestRefusedChannelMessageLeavesStampUnspent(t *testing.T) {
+	const (
+		channel = "#paid"
+		bits    = 2
+	)
+
+	refusals := []struct {
+		name string
+		// refuse stops bob from sending to the channel.
+		refuse func(ctx context.Context, env *testEnv, chID, bobSID int64) error
+	}{
+		{"not a member", func(ctx context.Context, env *testEnv, _, bobSID int64) error {
+			return env.svc.PartChannel(ctx, bobSID, "bob", channel, "")
+		}},
+		{"banned", func(ctx context.Context, env *testEnv, chID, _ int64) error {
+			return env.db.AddChannelBan(ctx, chID, "bob!*@*", "alice")
+		}},
+		{"moderated", func(ctx context.Context, env *testEnv, chID, _ int64) error {
+			return env.svc.SetChannelFlag(ctx, chID, 'm', true)
+		}},
+	}
+
+	body, _ := json.Marshal([]string{"hello"}) //nolint:errchkjson
+
+	for _, refusal := range refusals {
+		t.Run(refusal.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			env := newTestEnv(t)
+			ctx := t.Context()
+
+			aliceSID := createSession(ctx, t, env.db, "alice")
+			bobSID := createSession(ctx, t, env.db, "bob")
+
+			joined, err := env.svc.JoinChannel(ctx, aliceSID, "alice", channel, "")
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("join alice: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			_, err = env.svc.JoinChannel(ctx, bobSID, "bob", channel, "")
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("join bob: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			err = env.db.SetChannelHashcashBits(ctx, joined.ChannelID, bits)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("set +H: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			err = refusal.refuse(ctx, env, joined.ChannelID, bobSID)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("refuse bob: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			stamp := hashcash.MintChannelStamp(
+				bits, channel, hashcash.BodyHash(body),
+			)
+			meta, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]string{"hashcash": stamp})
+
+			_, _, err = env.svc.SendChannelMessage(
+				ctx, bobSID, "bob", irc.CmdPrivmsg, channel, body, meta,
+			)
+
+			var ircErr *service.IRCError
+			if !errors.As(err, &ircErr) ||
+				ircErr.Code != irc.ErrCannotSendToChan {
+				t.Fatalf("bob: want ERR_CANNOTSENDTOCHAN, got %v", err)
+			}
+
+			_, _, err = env.svc.SendChannelMessage(
+				ctx, aliceSID, "alice", irc.CmdPrivmsg, channel, body, meta,
+			)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("alice with the same stamp: %v", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestQueryUserMode(t *testing.T) {
 	env := newTestEnv(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()