Comprehensive Solidity smart contract security auditing and vulnerability analysis skill. Based on methodologies from Trail of Bits, OpenZeppelin, Consensys Diligence, Sherlock, CertiK, Cyfrin, Spearbit, Halborn, and other leading Web3 security firms. This skill should be used whenever the user asks to "audit a smart contract", "review Solidity code for security", "find vulnerabilities", "check for reentrancy", "analyze gas optimization", "review access control", "check proxy patterns", "anal...
Scanned 5/27/2026
Install via CLI
Skills Directoryopenskills install mariano-aguero/solidity-security-audit-skill---
name: solidity-security-audit
description: >
Comprehensive Solidity smart contract security auditing and vulnerability analysis skill.
Based on methodologies from Trail of Bits, OpenZeppelin, Consensys Diligence, Sherlock,
CertiK, Cyfrin, Spearbit, Halborn, and other leading Web3 security firms.
This skill should be used whenever the user asks to "audit a smart contract",
"review Solidity code for security", "find vulnerabilities", "check for reentrancy",
"analyze gas optimization", "review access control", "check proxy patterns",
"analyze DeFi protocol security", "review ERC20/ERC721 implementation",
"check oracle manipulation risks", "review upgrade patterns", or mentions any
security review of EVM-compatible smart contracts. Also triggers for keywords like
"slither", "echidna", "foundry fuzz", "formal verification", "invariant testing",
"flash loan attack", "MEV", "sandwich attack", "front-running", "delegatecall",
"selfdestruct", "reentrancy guard", "access control vulnerability",
"storage collision", "proxy upgrade security", "smart contract exploit",
"L2 security", "cross-chain", "bridge security", "sequencer", "LayerZero", "CCIP",
"account abstraction", "ERC-4337", "smart account", "paymaster", "bundler", "UserOperation",
"re-audit", "diff audit", "remediation review", "fix verification", "Uniswap v4 hooks",
"Chainlink integration", "Aave integration", "flash loan receiver", "ERC-4626 vault",
"restaking", "EigenLayer", "AVS", "severity classification", "severity decision",
"perpetual", "perp dex", "GMX", "Synthetix", "funding rate", "liquidation cascade",
"intent protocol", "UniswapX", "Permit2", "1inch Fusion", "Dutch auction order",
"ZK-VM", "zkSync", "Polygon zkEVM", "ZK proof", "Risc0", "SP1", "Circom", "under-constrained",
"ERC-7683", "cross-chain intents", "IOriginSettler", "IDestinationSettler", "CrossChainOrder",
"filler protocol", "origin settler", "destination settler", "orderId", "fillDeadline",
"EIP-7002", "triggerable exit", "execution layer withdrawal", "validator exit",
"EIP-7251", "MaxEB", "max effective balance", "validator consolidation", "consolidation",
"EIP-6110", "beacon deposit", "validator deposit", "liquid staking security",
"OWASP SC", "OWASP smart contract", "SC01", "SC02",
"ERC-6909", "multi-token", "PoolManager claims", "claim token", "isOperator",
"MEV bot", "MEV contract", "arbitrage bot", "sandwich bot", "sweep function",
"AI-generated code", "Copilot", "vibe coding", "LLM-generated Solidity",
"Wake", "eth-wake", "Ackee Blockchain",
"TSTORE", "TLOAD", "transient storage", "tstore compiler bug", "tstore poison",
"solc 0.8.28", "solc via-ir", "via-ir optimizer", "reentrancy guard bypass tstore",
"EOF", "EIP-7692", "Fusaka upgrade", "EXTDELEGATECALL", "EVM object format",
"gas observability", "code observability", "CODESIZE EXTCODESIZE EOF",
"ERC-7726", "price adapter", "price oracle adapter", "false validity assumption",
"IQuote", "getQuote oracle",
"phantom collateral", "orphaned state", "Abracadabra exploit", "cook batch router",
"failed external call state", "liquidation ghost debt",
"overflow sentinel", "Cetus exploit", "bit-shift guard", "FullMath overflow",
"PRBMath overflow", "custom math library overflow",
"OpenZeppelin v5 migration", "OZ v4 to v5", "ERC-7201 namespaced storage",
"sequential storage layout", "namespaced storage layout", "storage slot migration",
"LDF rounding", "Bunni exploit", "liquidity distribution function",
"asymmetric rounding liquidity", "flash tick shift",
"JIT liquidity attack", "just-in-time liquidity", "V4 JIT",
"Morpho Blue", "Euler V2", "EVC", "modular lending", "permissionless market",
"EigenVault", "cross-vault health", "ERC-4337 executor vault",
"EIP-7701", "native account abstraction", "ACCEPT_ROLE opcode",
"per-transaction validation", "legacy contract validation",
"Cork Protocol", "V4 hook drain", "onlyPoolManager hook", "missing onlyPoolManager",
"TransientStorageClearingHelperCollision", "delete transient storage", "delete tstore bug",
"ERC-7579 module poisoning", "module onUninstall revert", "stale module state",
"executor delegatecall module", "ERC-7484", "module registry attestation",
"ERC-7821", "minimal batch executor", "EIP-7821",
"sweeper delegation campaign", "tx.origin bypass Pectra", "EIP-7702 sweeper",
"cross-chain sandwich", "source chain event leakage",
"CeDeFi", "recursive leverage collapse", "oracle price hardcoding", "hardcoded collateral price",
"cook() flag bypass", "batch router flag reset", "deferred solvency check bypass",
"oracle chain complexity", "restaking oracle chain", "chained price adapter",
"Hyperliquid exploit", "vault liquidation absorber", "HLP vault manipulation",
"Fusaka gas cap", "EIP-7825", "per-transaction gas limit",
"app chain fork", "Berachain fork", "forked L1 inherited bugs",
"Aderyn v0.6", "Aderyn LSP server", "echidna verification mode", "halmos recon reproducer",
"slither triage", "too many slither findings", "slither false positive", "slither 200 findings",
"slither filter", "slither config", "slither suppress", "slither FP", "slither findings triage",
"slither-check-upgradeability", "slither priority", "when to skip slither finding",
"Solidity 0.9.0", "transfer deprecated", "send deprecated solidity",
"transfer removed 0.9", "send removed 0.9", "migrate from transfer call",
"PUSH0 cross-chain", "PUSH0 opcode incompatible", "evm-version paris", "evmVersion paris",
"shanghai fork compatibility", "non-shanghai chain", "PUSH0 zkSync", "EIP-3855",
"ERC-1967 slot corruption", "proxy storage slot", "implementation slot overwrite",
"UUPS brick attack", "upgradeTo interface check", "proxiableUUID missing",
"storage layout migration", "proxy slot collision", "delegatecall slot overwrite",
"ePBS", "EIP-7732", "enshrined PBS", "proposer builder separation consensus",
"block access lists", "Block Access Lists", "BALs EIP-7928", "EIP-7928", "Glamsterdam",
"payload withholding attack", "preconfirmation timing", "preconf security",
"AI-generated code audit", "vibe coding security", "LLM contract review", "copilot Solidity",
"hallucinated interface", "broken reentrancy guard AI", "incomplete access control AI",
"Noir circuit", "unconstrained Noir", "pub input Noir", "Noir language audit",
"SP1 zkVM", "SP1 Succinct", "SP1 cycle limit", "SP1 precompile security",
"Polygon CDK", "CDK chain audit", "LxLy bridge", "AggLayer security",
"folding scheme", "Nova IVC", "SuperNova folding", "HyperNova", "ProtoStar IVC",
"dYdX v4", "dYdX Cosmos chain", "CLOB trust model", "CometBFT MEV",
"Gains Network", "gTrade", "DAI vault counterparty", "synthetic perp solvency",
"skew manipulation funding", "funding rate oracle", "insurance fund drain",
"cross-margin contagion", "isolated to cross margin switch",
"xUSD exploit", "Stream Finance exploit", "hardcoded oracle dollar",
"Hyperliquid HLP exploit", "HLP liquidation absorber", "dual role vault",
"RWA protocol", "real world asset", "tokenized asset", "NAV manipulation", "pool manager trust",
"senior tranche", "junior tranche", "epoch redemption", "KYC transfer restriction", "ERC-1400", "ERC-3643",
"Centrifuge audit", "Maple Finance audit", "Goldfinch audit", "TrueFi audit",
"options protocol", "options settlement oracle", "implied volatility manipulation", "IV oracle",
"options expiry manipulation", "covered call vault", "put selling vault", "Ribbon Finance audit",
"Dopex audit", "Lyra audit", "Opyn audit", "Hegic audit", "option strike manipulation",
"Premia audit", "Aevo audit", "Thetanuts audit", "options-protocols.md", "oToken",
"theta vault", "SSOV", "option collateral", "option margin", "option settlement",
"call spread payoff", "IV drainage", "Deus DAO oracle", "Gnosis Auction abuse",
"prediction market", "prediction market oracle", "resolver manipulation", "conditional token",
"CTF conditional", "Gnosis CTF", "LMSR AMM", "market resolution bribe", "Polymarket audit",
"Gnosis Safe module", "Safe module audit", "Safe guard", "Safe fallback handler",
"enableModule security", "Safe storage collision", "delegatecall Safe", "Zodiac module",
"Safe recovery module", "social recovery Safe", "module threshold bypass",
"BNB Chain bridge exploit", "BSC bridge Merkle proof", "iavl library bug", "forged Merkle proof bridge",
"Multichain exploit", "MPC key centralization", "TSS bridge centralization", "MPC bridge audit",
"bridge operator jurisdiction", "single point of failure bridge", "MPC key rotation",
"off-chain proof library audit", "ICS23 proof verification", "cross-chain proof forgery",
"Code4rena", "C4 contest", "Sherlock contest", "Immunefi", "Cantina contest",
"CodeHawks", "Cyfrin Updraft", "warden submission", "Watson submission",
"bug bounty submission", "audit contest", "audit competition", "contest finding",
"submit to contest", "contest report", "H/M finding", "QA report warden",
"vm.signDelegation", "vm.attachDelegation", "vm.signAndAttachDelegation",
"ERC-7702 Foundry", "ERC-7702 PoC", "delegation revocation",
"forge build --eof", "forge test --eof", "EOF PoC", "EOF migration",
"EXTDELEGATECALL proxy", "selfdestruct EOF", "EOF container validation",
"Move language", "Move audit", "Sui audit", "Aptos audit", "Move resource",
"Sui object model", "Aptos fungible asset", "MoveBit", "OtterSec Move",
"hot potato Move", "capability token Move", "Sui PTB", "Move bytecode verifier".
Even if the user simply pastes Solidity code and asks "is this safe?" or
"any issues here?", use this skill.
---
# Solidity Security Audit Skill
## Purpose
Perform professional-grade smart contract security audits following methodologies
established by the world's leading Web3 security firms. Produce actionable,
severity-classified findings with remediation guidance.
## Context Gathering — When Code Arrives Without Scope
**Trigger:** User pastes Solidity code (one function, one file, or a repo link) with no
additional context — no chain, no Solidity version, no stated scope, no prior audit info.
Do NOT start auditing immediately. Missing context causes wrong severity ratings,
irrelevant findings (e.g., flagging L2 issues on mainnet-only code), and wasted effort.
Ask the following questions **in a single message** before proceeding.
### Required Context (block until answered)
Ask these as a short numbered list — not a form, not a table:
```
Before I start the audit, I need a few details:
1. **Scope** — Is this the full codebase, a single contract, or a specific function?
(Full codebase = I'll check cross-contract interactions; single function = focused review)
2. **Solidity version** — What compiler version are you targeting?
(Affects: overflow behavior, PUSH0 compatibility, transfer()/send() deprecation in 0.9.0)
3. **Target chain(s)** — Where will this deploy?
(Mainnet, L2 like Arbitrum/Base/zkSync, multi-chain, or unknown)
4. **Previous audits** — Has this code been audited before? Any known issues or recent changes?
(If yes → Re-audit mode; if no → Full Audit)
5. **Protocol type** — What does this protocol do?
(e.g., lending, AMM, vault, bridge, governance — determines which checklist to load)
```
### Defaults If User Cannot Answer
If the user says "just check it" or provides no answers, assume these safe defaults
and **state them explicitly** at the start of the audit:
| Question | Default | Risk |
|----------|---------|------|
| Scope | Single contract/function provided | May miss cross-contract issues |
| Solidity version | Latest stable (`^0.8.x`) | May miss version-specific bugs |
| Target chain | Ethereum mainnet | May miss L2-specific issues |
| Previous audits | None — first review | Full Audit mode |
| Protocol type | General DeFi | Use Universal DeFi Checks from `defi-checklist.md` |
### Fast Path — Single Function Paste
When a user pastes an isolated function (≤30 lines, no visible contract state or constructor),
skip the context questions and do a **Quick Scan** directly. State:
> "Reviewing this function in isolation. For a full audit including state variables,
> access control, and cross-contract interactions, share the full contract."
Then output: severity-tagged bullet list (Critical/High only unless none found, then include Medium).
---
## Audit Mode Selection
Before starting, identify the audit mode:
| Mode | When to Use | Entry Point |
|------|-------------|-------------|
| **Full Audit** | First-time review of a codebase | Phases 1–5 below |
| **Re-audit / Diff** | Previous audit exists; team applied fixes or added features | `references/diff-audit.md` |
| **Integration Review** | Contract integrates Uniswap, Chainlink, Aave, Curve, etc. | `references/defi-integrations.md` + Phase 3 |
| **Quick Scan** | Rapid assessment, limited time | `references/quick-reference.md` — abbreviated Phase 0 (5 min max), run Phases 1–2 only, focus Phase 3 on Critical/High patterns from `quick-reference.md`. **Output:** bullet list of Critical/High findings only; each entry: severity tag, location (`File.sol#L`), one-line description, remediation pointer. No full report structure required. |
| **Contest** | Submitting to Code4rena, Sherlock, Immunefi, Cantina, or CodeHawks | See **Contest Mode** section below — platform-specific output format, strategy, and validity rules |
For severity classification guidance at any point, consult `references/severity-decision-tree.md`.
---
## Contest Mode
**Activate when** the user mentions: "Code4rena", "C4", "Sherlock", "Immunefi", "Cantina",
"CodeHawks", "Cyfrin", "warden submission", "Watson submission", "bug bounty submission",
"audit contest", "audit competition", "contest finding", or "submit to contest".
### Step 0 — Identify the Platform
| Platform | Model | Reward Structure | Severity Used |
|----------|-------|-----------------|---------------|
| **Code4rena** | Competitive | H/M split pool; Low = QA pool; Gas = Gas pool | H / M / Low / NC / Gas |
| **Sherlock** | Competitive | H/M split; Low = no payout | H / M only (paid) |
| **Immunefi** | Bug bounty | Tiered fixed payout per severity | Critical / High / Medium / Low |
| **Cantina** | Competitive | H/M/Low reward tiers | Critical / H / M / Low / Info |
| **CodeHawks / Cyfrin** | Competitive | Similar to C4 | H / M / Low / Info / Gas |
Once identified, apply the exact submission format from `references/report-template.md → Contest Submission Format`.
### Step 1 — Scope Verification
Before any review:
- Read the contest README, `scope.txt`, and known issues list in the contest repo
- Mark all out-of-scope contracts — findings there are immediately invalid
- Note "Admin is trusted" and other protocol assumptions that eliminate entire bug classes
- Check if a bot race report has been submitted (C4 bots claim floating pragma, missing zero-checks, unchecked returns — avoid these)
### Step 2 — Priority Stack (Contest ROI)
Contests reward unique, high-impact findings. Allocate review time accordingly:
**Highest ROI → spend 70% of time here:**
- Reentrancy (all variants, especially cross-function and read-only)
- Oracle manipulation (spot price, TWAP bypass, stale feeds)
- Access control gaps on privileged functions
- Business logic errors (incorrect fee math, state machine violations, off-by-one)
- Economic attacks (flash loan vectors, slippage, MEV)
**Medium ROI → spend 25%:**
- Integer precision / rounding direction
- Missing input validation (zero-address, bounds — only if exploitable, not bot-fodder)
- DoS vectors (unbounded loops, griefing with real impact)
- Signature replay / EIP-712 errors
**Low ROI — skip unless trivial to add:**
- Gas optimizations (only if contest has a Gas pool)
- Code style, naming (NC / Info → no payout on most platforms)
- Findings already listed as known issues
### Step 3 — Validity Pre-Check
Before writing each finding, apply this filter:
```
Is there a working attack path an external actor can execute?
├─ No → Invalid (likely rejected)
│
Is the root cause inside the contest scope?
├─ No → Out of scope (invalid)
│
Does the impact require a trusted role (admin, owner)?
├─ Yes, and admin is listed as trusted → Low at best (often invalid)
│
Can the impact be quantified in USD?
├─ Yes → always include the estimate (judges weight concrete impact)
├─ No → describe the qualitative harm precisely
│
Is there a working PoC?
├─ H/M without PoC → likely downgraded or rejected
├─ Build a Foundry test before writing the report
```
### Step 4 — Platform-Specific Rules
**Code4rena:**
- Each H/M = separate GitHub issue; QA findings bundled in one QA report
- Duplicate = same root cause (not same symptom) → split reward pool
- Unique findings with PoC earn the most; first-mover advantage on uncommon bugs
- Link every finding to exact GitHub permalink (commit hash, not branch)
- Use `diff` format in mitigations when possible
**Sherlock:**
- Strict pre-conditions template required: "Internal pre-conditions" + "External pre-conditions"
- `admin is trusted` = admin-abuse findings are invalid (not even Low)
- "Loss of 1 wei" alone = invalid; needs meaningful dollar impact or significant disruption
- Escalation period: Watson escalation reviewed by Senior Watsons; escalate if you believe judge is wrong
- Valid states must persist after the PoC transaction (not reset by next block)
**Immunefi:**
- Bug bounty: disclose privately first; no public disclosure until patched
- Critical/High require a working PoC; Medium may be accepted with clear description
- Impact must be real: "theoretical" or "best case" attacks typically rejected
- Include: affected product version, environment (mainnet/testnet), reproduction steps
- Do not include in contest format — use private disclosure channel
**Cantina / CodeHawks:**
- Similar to C4 in structure; include `Context:` field with exact file + line reference
- CodeHawks requires explicit `Likelihood` and `Impact` labels in addition to combined `Severity`
### Step 5 — Output
Use the exact per-platform format from `references/report-template.md → Contest Submission Format`.
**Do not use private audit report format (no Executive Summary, no Scope section, no Appendix).**
Each finding is standalone and must be independently understandable.
Judges read hundreds of findings — front-load the impact in the first sentence.
---
## Full Audit Workflow
Execute audits in this order. Each phase builds on the previous one.
### Phase 0 — Threat Modeling
**Audit by Protocol Type — Quick Routing**
| Protocol Type | Primary Reference | DeFi Checklist Section | Key Case Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMM / DEX | `defi-integrations.md §Uniswap` | `defi-checklist.md §AMM` | Curve, Cork Protocol |
| Lending / Borrowing | `defi-integrations.md §Aave` | `defi-checklist.md §Lending` | Euler, Abracadabra |
| Vault / Yield (ERC-4626) | `defi-integrations.md §ERC-4626` | `defi-checklist.md §Vault` | — |
| Bridge / Messaging | `l2-crosschain.md` | `defi-checklist.md §Bridge` | Nomad, Wormhole |
| Governance / DAO | `vulnerability-taxonomy.md §15` | `defi-checklist.md §Governance` | Beanstalk, Compound |
| Perpetual DEX | `perpetual-dex.md` | `defi-checklist.md §Perp` | Hyperliquid HLP |
| LST / Restaking | `staking-consensus.md` | `defi-checklist.md §Restaking` | Bybit |
| Uniswap V4 Hook | `defi-integrations.md §V4-Hooks` | `defi-checklist.md §V4-Hooks` | Cork Protocol |
| ZK / Rollup | `zkvm-specific.md` | `l2-crosschain.md §ZK` | — |
| Account Abstraction | `account-abstraction.md` | `audit-questions.md §AA` | — |
| AI-Generated Code | `ai-code-patterns.md` | `audit-questions.md §AI` | Bybit (supply chain) |
| Intent / Solver | `intent-protocols.md` | `defi-checklist.md §Intents` | — |
| CeDeFi / Synthetic | `vulnerability-taxonomy.md §4.7` | `defi-checklist.md §CeDeFi` | xUSD ($285M) |
| RWA / Tokenized Assets | `rwa-protocols.md` | `defi-checklist.md §RWA` | — |
| Options / Structured Products | `options-protocols.md` | `defi-checklist.md §Options` | Deus DAO, Lyra AVAX |
| Prediction Markets | `prediction-markets.md` | `defi-checklist.md §Prediction` | Polymarket UMA disputes, Augur REP |
| Multisig / Safe Modules | `safe-modules.md` | `defi-checklist.md §Safe` | Radiant Capital |
| Move / Sui / Aptos | `move-security.md` | — (supplement) | Cetus ($223M) |
Before touching code, build a mental model of what the protocol does and what
can go wrong economically. This shapes where you spend time in Phase 3.
1. **Map the actors**: who interacts with this protocol?
- Unprivileged users, liquidity providers, borrowers
- Privileged roles: admin, guardian, keeper, fee recipient
- External actors: MEV bots, flash loan attackers, liquidators, governance participants
2. **Identify the crown jewels**: what assets or rights are at risk?
- User funds locked in the protocol
- Protocol-owned reserves or insurance funds
- Governance control (ability to upgrade, change parameters, drain)
3. **Define critical invariants**: what must NEVER be false?
- Solvency: total liabilities ≤ total assets
- Accounting: sum of individual balances = tracked total
- Access: only authorized callers can execute privileged operations
4. **Trace trust boundaries**: what external systems does this protocol trust?
- Oracles (Chainlink, TWAP, custom)
- External protocol integrations (Uniswap, Aave, Curve)
- Bridging / messaging layers (LayerZero, CCIP, Wormhole)
- Multisig signers or governance
5. **Estimate MEV surface**: what operations create profitable ordering opportunities?
- Liquidations, arbitrage, sandwich-able swaps
- Front-runnable reveals, claims, or settlements
6. **Note upgrade/admin blast radius**: if the admin key or a multisig is compromised,
what is the maximum damage? Is there a timelock? A pause mechanism?
Output: a 5–10 line threat summary that focuses the manual review in Phase 3 on
the highest-value attack paths. Skip this only for Quick Scan mode.
---
### Phase 1 — Reconnaissance
1. Identify the Solidity version, compiler settings, and framework (Hardhat/Foundry)
2. Map the contract architecture: inheritance tree, library usage, external dependencies
3. Identify the protocol type (DeFi lending, AMM, NFT, governance, bridge, vault, etc.)
4. Determine the trust model: who are the privileged roles? What can they do?
5. List all external integrations (oracles, other protocols, token standards)
### Phase 2 — Automated Analysis
If tools are available in the environment, run them in this order:
```
# Static analysis
slither . --json slither-report.json
# Compile and test
forge build
forge test --gas-report
# Custom detectors (if Aderyn is available)
aderyn .
```
If tools are NOT available, perform manual static analysis covering the same
categories these tools check. Read `references/tool-integration.md` for details.
### Phase 3 — Manual Review (Core)
This is where the highest-value findings come from. Follow the vulnerability
taxonomy in `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md` systematically.
**Navigation:** Load `references/INDEX-vulns.md` to quickly locate which file:section covers a given vulnerability type or secure pattern. For DeFi-specific topics, load `references/INDEX-defi.md` instead. See `references/INDEX.md` for the full category guide.
**CRITICAL PRIORITY — Check these first:**
- Reentrancy (all variants: cross-function, cross-contract, read-only)
- Access control flaws (missing modifiers, incorrect role checks, unprotected initializers)
- Price oracle manipulation (spot price usage, single oracle dependency, TWAP bypass)
- Flash loan attack vectors
- Proxy/upgrade vulnerabilities (storage collision, uninitialized implementation, UUPS gaps)
- Unchecked external calls and return values
- ERC-7702 delegation risks (if EOAs or authorization tuples are present: malicious delegation target, stale authorization replay, nonce race, re-initialization of delegated code) — see `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §17`
**HIGH PRIORITY:**
- Integer overflow/underflow (pre-0.8.x or unchecked blocks)
- Logic errors in business rules (token minting, reward calculations, fee distribution)
- Front-running and MEV exposure (sandwich attacks, transaction ordering dependence)
- Denial of Service vectors (gas griefing, unbounded loops, block gas limit)
- Signature replay and malleability
- Delegatecall to untrusted contracts
**MEDIUM PRIORITY:**
- Gas optimization issues that affect usability
- Missing event emissions for state changes
- Centralization risks and single points of failure
- Timestamp dependence
- Floating pragma versions
- Missing zero-address checks
**LOW / INFORMATIONAL:**
- Code style and readability
- Unused variables and imports
- Missing NatSpec documentation
- Redundant code patterns
### Phase 4 — DeFi-Specific Analysis
When auditing DeFi protocols, apply the specialized checklist from
`references/defi-checklist.md`. Load `references/INDEX-defi.md` to navigate protocol-specific entries and invariant tests. Key areas:
- **Lending protocols**: Liquidation logic, collateral factor manipulation, bad debt scenarios
- **AMMs/DEXs**: Slippage protection, price impact calculations, LP token accounting
- **Vaults/Yield**: Share price manipulation (inflation attack), withdrawal queue logic
- **Bridges**: Message verification, replay protection, validator trust assumptions
- **Governance**: Vote manipulation, flash loan governance attacks, timelock bypass
- **Staking**: Reward calculation precision, stake/unstake timing attacks
- **RWA protocols**: Load `references/rwa-protocols.md` for NAV oracle trust, tranche accounting, epoch redemptions, KYC transfer restrictions, default handling
- **Options protocols**: Load `references/options-protocols.md` for settlement oracle manipulation, IV attacks, collateral/margin, vault strategy risks, multi-leg payoff correctness
- **Prediction markets**: Load `references/prediction-markets.md` for resolution oracle trust, CTF split/merge logic, AMM pricing bounds, market creation attacks, timing/MEV at resolution
- **Safe modules / multisig**: Load `references/safe-modules.md` for module installation lifecycle, delegatecall storage collisions, guard bypass vectors, fallback handler attacks, social recovery, Zodiac framework patterns
### Phase 5 — Report Generation
Structure every finding using this format:
```
## [SEVERITY-ID] Title
**Severity**: Critical | High | Medium | Low | Informational
**Category**: (from vulnerability taxonomy)
**Location**: `ContractName.sol#L42-L58`
### Description
Clear explanation of the vulnerability, why it exists, and what an attacker could do.
### Impact
Concrete description of damage: funds at risk, protocol disruption, data corruption.
### Proof of Concept
Step-by-step exploit scenario or code demonstrating the issue.
### Recommendation
Specific code changes to fix the vulnerability. Include example code when possible.
```
Classify severity following the standard used by Immunefi, Code4rena, and Sherlock:
| Severity | Criteria |
|----------|----------|
| **Critical** | Direct loss of funds, permanent protocol corruption, bypass of all access controls |
| **High** | Conditional loss of funds, significant protocol disruption, privilege escalation |
| **Medium** | Indirect loss, limited impact requiring specific conditions, griefing with cost |
| **Low** | Minor issues, best practice violations, theoretical edge cases |
| **Informational** | Code quality, gas optimizations, documentation gaps |
## Key Patterns to Enforce
### Checks-Effects-Interactions (CEI)
Every function that modifies state and makes external calls must follow CEI.
Verify state changes happen BEFORE any external call.
### Pull Over Push
Favor withdrawal patterns over direct transfers. Let users claim rather than
pushing funds to them automatically.
### Least Privilege
Every function should have the minimum required access level. Prefer role-based
access control (OpenZeppelin AccessControl) over single-owner patterns.
### Defense in Depth
No single security mechanism should be the only protection. Layer reentrancy
guards, access controls, input validation, and invariant checks.
## Reference Materials
For detailed vulnerability descriptions, exploit examples, and remediation
patterns, consult these reference files:
### Core References
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md` — 50+ vulnerability types with code examples
- `references/defi-checklist.md` — Protocol-specific checklists (lending, AMM, vaults, bridges, tokens)
- `references/industry-standards.md` — SWC Registry, severity classification, security EIPs
- `references/quick-reference.md` — One-page cheat sheet for rapid security assessment
### Audit Guides
- `references/audit-questions.md` — Systematic questions for each function type
- `references/secure-patterns.md` — Secure code patterns to compare against
- `references/report-template.md` — Professional audit report format
### Testing & Tools
- `references/tool-integration.md` — Slither, Echidna, Foundry, Halmos, custom detectors
- `references/automated-detection.md` — Regex patterns for automated scanning
- `references/poc-templates.md` — Foundry templates for proving exploits
- `references/invariants.md` — Protocol invariants for testing
### Specialized
- `references/l2-crosschain.md` — L2 sequencer risks, bridge security, cross-chain patterns
- `references/account-abstraction.md` — ERC-4337 security: accounts, paymasters, bundlers
- `references/exploit-case-studies.md` — Real-world exploits analyzed (DAO, Euler, Curve, etc.)
### New in v2
- `references/diff-audit.md` — Re-audit and change review methodology
- `references/severity-decision-tree.md` — Structured severity classification decision trees
- `references/defi-integrations.md` — Secure integration patterns: Uniswap v3/v4, Chainlink, Aave, Curve, Balancer
### New in v3
- `references/intent-protocols.md §8` — ERC-7683 Cross-Chain Intents (live on Base/Arbitrum): filler trust model, parameter substitution, double-fill, settlement finality race
- `references/staking-consensus.md` — Pectra upgrade security: EIP-7002 (triggerable exits), EIP-7251 (MaxEB + slashing amplification), EIP-6110 (on-chain deposits)
- `references/industry-standards.md` — OWASP Smart Contract Top 10 2025 table added
### New in v3.19.0
- `references/move-security.md` — Move language audit supplement for Sui/Aptos/Movement ecosystems: resource model security (ability mismatches, hot potato, capability tokens), Sui object model (ownership, versioning, dynamic fields, PTB composition), Aptos-specific patterns (resource accounts, Fungible Asset migration, randomness API), bytecode verifier guarantees vs gaps, common Move audit findings (capability leakage, arithmetic overflow, friend abuse, generic type confusion), cross-VM bridge security (EVM ↔ Move decimal/address/supply mismatches), 30-item Move audit checklist
- `SKILL.md` triggers: +8 Move/Sui/Aptos keywords
- `SKILL.md` Phase 0 routing table: Move/Sui/Aptos row added
- `INDEX-advanced.md`: +8 entries for Move sections
### New in v3.18.0
- `references/fusaka-eof.md` — Migration & deployment audit playbook for EOF (EIP-7692, Fusaka): compiler/tooling support matrix (solc / Foundry --eof / Slither / Aderyn), legacy → EOF migration recipes (reentrancy guards, EOA detection, dynamic jumps, gas-based logic, SELFDESTRUCT refunds, CREATE2 factories), proxy & upgrade decision matrix (all-EOF / all-legacy / hybrid forbidden / mid-life migration), L2 multi-chain rollout considerations (evmVersion config, PUSH0 incident pattern, sidechain compat), audit workflow (pre-audit questionnaire, bytecode magic-byte verification, reporting template), 30-item migration audit checklist (Pre-deploy / Deploy / Post-deploy)
### New in v3.17.0
- `references/staking-consensus.md §5` — Post-Pectra Observations (May 2025 – mid-2026): LST/LRT protocol adaptation (Lido, Rocket Pool, EtherFi, EigenLayer), observed incidents & near-misses (no major exploit leveraged Pectra primitives), exit queue & validator consolidation data, 10-item refined audit heuristics checklist (hardcoded 32 ETH, 0x01/0x02 prefix, dual-slashing), 7 open risk areas
### New in v3.15.0
- `references/poc-templates.md` — ERC-7702 PoC modernized: uses Foundry 1.0+ cheatcodes (`vm.signDelegation`, `vm.attachDelegation`, `vm.signAndAttachDelegation`) instead of commented-out calls; 4 runnable tests: malicious delegation drain, cross-chain replay (chainId=0), sponsored transaction sandbox escape, delegation revocation via `address(0)`
- `references/poc-templates.md` — New EOF Container Compatibility PoC section (EIP-7692/Fusaka): legacy proxy-to-EOF impl DELEGATECALL breakage, SELFDESTRUCT removal secure pattern, invalid EOF container validation, 10-item EOF migration audit checklist, CLI commands for `forge build --eof` and `forge test --eof`
### New in v3.16.0
- `references/severity-decision-tree.md` — 4 new decision trees for emerging vulnerability categories: EOF (EIP-7692/Fusaka), ERC-7702 (Pectra auth-list delegation), Transient Storage (EIP-1153 TSTORE/TLOAD incl. TSTORE poison and 2300-gas bypass), ZK-VM / proof verification (verifier completeness, circuit underconstraining, sequencer escape hatches, proof aggregation)
### New in v3.14.0
- `references/safe-modules.md` — Deep reference for Safe module, guard, and fallback handler security: trust model and proxy architecture, module installation lifecycle and linked-list manipulation, delegatecall storage collisions (slot map + ERC-7201 defense), guard bypass via `execTransactionFromModule` (pre-v1.4.1), fallback handler ERC-1271 replay, social recovery timing attacks, Zodiac framework patterns (Reality Module bond economics, Roles Modifier v2 scoping, Bridge/Connext Module replay), comprehensive 42-item audit checklist
- `SKILL.md` Phase 0 routing table: Safe Modules row now points to `safe-modules.md` instead of `vulnerability-taxonomy.md §25`
- `SKILL.md` Phase 4: added Safe modules loading instruction
### New in v3.13.0
- `references/prediction-markets.md` — Deep reference for prediction market security: resolution oracle trust models (UMA optimistic oracle, Chainlink, centralized, DAO), CTF split/merge position attacks, AMM pricing bounds (LMSR/CPMM), market creation lifecycle attacks, timing/MEV at resolution (commit-reveal, blackout periods), protocol-specific patterns (Polymarket, Azuro, Augur v2, PancakeSwap Prediction, SX Network, Overtime Markets), comprehensive 42-item audit checklist
- `SKILL.md` Phase 0 routing table: Prediction Markets row now points to `prediction-markets.md` instead of `vulnerability-taxonomy.md §4.1`
- `SKILL.md` Phase 4: added Prediction Markets loading instruction
### New in v3.12.0
- `references/options-protocols.md` — Deep reference for on-chain options protocol security: settlement oracle manipulation (flash-loan at expiry, TWAP defense, circuit breakers), IV attacks (admin IV, AMM-based IV drainage, Lyra AVAX pattern), collateral & margin (undercollateralized writing, maintenance margin, liquidation), vault strategy risks (adversarial strike selection, epoch timing, Gnosis Auction abuse), multi-leg payoff correctness (unsigned math, spread caps, calendar spread independence), protocol-specific patterns (Lyra v2, Opyn Gamma, Ribbon, Dopex SSOV, Premia v3), comprehensive 42-item audit checklist
- `SKILL.md` Phase 0 routing table: Options row now points to `options-protocols.md` instead of `vulnerability-taxonomy.md §4`
- `SKILL.md` Phase 4: added Options loading instruction
### New in v3.11.0
- `references/rwa-protocols.md` — Deep reference for RWA protocol security: trust model & pool manager privilege escalation, NAV oracle manipulation, epoch redemption race conditions, tranche accounting attacks, KYC/transfer restriction bypass (ERC-1400/ERC-3643), default handling & write-down timing, protocol-specific patterns (Centrifuge, Maple, T-bill vaults), comprehensive audit checklist
- `SKILL.md` Phase 0 routing table: RWA row now points to `rwa-protocols.md` instead of `vulnerability-taxonomy.md §16`
- `SKILL.md` Phase 4: added RWA loading instruction
### New in v3.9.0
- `references/tool-integration.md §1 Slither Triage Cheat Sheet` — 7-step framework for handling 100–300 Slither findings: priority order table (P0→P3), per-detector false positive identification guide (9 detectors), jq filter commands, grouping/deduplication bash, inline suppression patterns, `.slither.config.json` template, `slither-check-upgradeability` workflow, and a quick-reference triage decision card
### New in v3.8.0
- `references/defi-checklist.md §RWA` — Real World Assets: NAV manipulation, senior/junior tranche accounting, epoch-based redemption timing, pool manager trust, KYC transfer restriction bypass, default/liquidation off-chain trust
- `references/defi-checklist.md §Options` — Options & Structured Products: settlement oracle manipulation at expiry, IV manipulation, undercollateralized option writing, automated vault strike selection, multi-leg payoff bugs
- `references/defi-checklist.md §Prediction` — Prediction Markets: resolver/oracle bribe attacks, CTF conditional token merge attacks, AMM price bounds, market creation spam, insider MEV at resolution
- `references/defi-checklist.md §Safe` — Gnosis Safe Modules & Guards: `delegatecall` storage collisions (with slot map), `enableModule()` time-lock, fallback handler exploitation, guard bypass via `execTransactionFromModule()`, Zodiac role escalation, social recovery grief
- `SKILL.md` Phase 0 routing table: 4 new protocol types (RWA, Options, Prediction Markets, Safe Modules) — 13 → 17 total
### New in v3.7.0
- `references/exploit-case-studies.md #19` — BNB Chain Bridge $570M (Oct 2022): Merkle proof forgery via iavl Go library bug; off-chain verification attack surface; defense-in-depth with transfer caps and time-locks; audit checklist for off-chain proof libraries
- `references/exploit-case-studies.md #20` — Multichain $130M (Jul 2023): MPC key centralization under single CEO; jurisdiction risk (Chinese authorities); operational security audit framework; MPC bridge architecture with guardian pause + time-locked large transfers
- **README.md fix**: normalized inconsistent bold in "What's Included" table, updated exploit count to 20, added Contest Mode row
### New in v3.6.0
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §23` — Solidity 0.9.0 breaking changes: `transfer()`/`send()` removal, new reentrancy surface on migration to `.call{}()`, unchecked return value pattern
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §24` — PUSH0 opcode cross-chain compatibility: EIP-3855 (Shanghai, April 2023), Solidity 0.8.20+ default evmVersion, non-Shanghai chain deployment failures, per-chain compatibility table
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §25` — ERC-1967 proxy storage slot corruption: assembly slot collision, UUPS brick attack (missing `proxiableUUID` check), `delegatecall` slot overwrite, storage layout migration break
- **CLAUDE.md fix**: audit modes count corrected to 5 (Contest Mode added in v3.5.0 was not reflected)
### New in v3.5.0
- **Contest Mode** — New audit mode for competitive platforms: Code4rena, Sherlock, Immunefi, Cantina, CodeHawks; platform routing table, contest ROI strategy, validity pre-check, per-platform rules (admin trust, pre-conditions, escalation)
- `references/report-template.md` — Added Immunefi bug bounty submission format; responsible disclosure rules
- `references/exploit-case-studies.md #17` — Ronin Bridge $625M (Mar 2022): 5/9 validator threshold + stale temporary permission; checklist for bridge validator trust models
- `references/exploit-case-studies.md #18` — Mango Markets $117M (Oct 2022): self-trading oracle manipulation; two-wallet strategy; hardened oracle design with Chainlink + 30-min TWAP + circuit breaker
- **Bug fixes**: taxonomy ToC adds §21/§22; SKILL.md deduplicates triggers; `Info`→`Informational` label; Quick Scan output defined; ERC-7702 `tx.origin` check in Universal DeFi Access Control
### New in v3.4.0
- `references/ai-code-patterns.md` — LLM-specific Solidity anti-patterns: CEI violations, broken reentrancy guards, hallucinated interfaces, incomplete access control, EIP-712 missing nonce/chainId; red flags for AI-generated code; full audit checklist for vibe-coded contracts
- `references/glamsterdam.md` — Glamsterdam upgrade security: EIP-7732 ePBS payload withholding + preconfirmation timing attacks; EIP-7928 BALs MEV transparency and parallelization race conditions; audit checklists for both EIPs
- `references/exploit-case-studies.md #15` — xUSD/Stream Finance $285M (Nov 2025): hardcoded oracle adapter ($1.00) feeding recursive leverage loop; why `pure` oracle adapters evade static analysis
- `references/exploit-case-studies.md #16` — Hyperliquid HLP: vault dual-role as market maker + bad debt absorber; proprietary oracle centralization; low-liquidity market exploitation (JELLY incident)
- `references/perpetual-dex.md §10-§14` — dYdX v4 (Cosmos CLOB, CometBFT MEV), Gains Network (DAI vault solvency), advanced funding rate manipulation (skew-based + time-weighted), insurance fund drain attacks, cross-margin contagion and isolated-to-cross timing attack
- `references/zkvm-specific.md §7-§10` — Noir `unconstrained` function risks + public/private input confusion, SP1 cycle DoS + committed output integrity, Polygon CDK sequencer centralization + LxLy bridge replay, folding schemes (Nova/SuperNova/HyperNova IVC)
- `SKILL.md Phase 0` — "Audit by Protocol Type" quick routing table: 13 protocol types mapped to primary reference, checklist section, and key case studies
### New in v3.3.0
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §4.6` — Oracle chain complexity for restaking assets (Moonwell pattern): staleness propagation across chained adapters
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §4.7` — Oracle price hardcoding as contagion amplifier (xUSD/Stream Finance $285M, Nov 2025): recursive leverage via `$1.00` collateral price
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §6.7` — Custom storage layout collisions (solc 0.8.29, multiple inheritance + --via-ir)
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §9.5` — Cross-chain sandwich via source-chain event leakage (arXiv Nov 2025, 21.4% profit rate)
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §12.7` — Multi-action router security flag reset (Abracadabra cook() $1.8M, Oct 2025): OR-accumulation vs direct assignment
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §17.6` — EIP-7702 sweeper campaigns + tx.origin guard bypass post-Pectra ($2.5M+, May 2025)
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §19.8` — TransientStorageClearingHelperCollision: `delete` on transient var emits `sstore` (solc 0.8.28–0.8.33 + --via-ir, distinct from §19.6)
- `references/exploit-case-studies.md` — Cork Protocol V4 hook exploit ($11M, May 2025): first major production V4 hook exploit, missing `onlyPoolManager`
- `references/defi-checklist.md` — `onlyPoolManager` requirement for all V4 callbacks (Cork Protocol pattern), CeDeFi & Recursive Leverage section, `sweepUnclaimed()` access control
- `references/account-abstraction.md` — ERC-7579: module poisoning via `onUninstall` revert, stale state after reinstallation, executor delegatecall abuse, ERC-7484 registry
- `references/account-abstraction.md` — ERC-7821 minimal batch executor: full EIP-712 replay protection checklist
- `references/l2-crosschain.md` — Cross-chain sandwich attacks, Fusaka EIP-7825 gas cap (16.78M), app-chain fork risk (Berachain pattern)
- `references/perpetual-dex.md §9` — Liquidity vault as liquidation absorber: Hyperliquid HLP structural manipulation, oracle centralization risk
- `references/tool-integration.md` — Aderyn v0.6 rewrite (LSP, CI, 100+ detectors), Echidna 2025 verification mode + Foundry reproducer, Halmos + Recon auto-reproducer
- `references/audit-questions.md` — AI-assisted exploit development considerations (Balancer V2 console.log evidence)
- `references/industry-standards.md` — Solidity deprecation timeline (transfer/send/ABI v1 → removed in 0.9.0), Glamsterdam upgrade (ePBS, BALs)
### New in v3.2.0
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §19.6` — TSTORE Poison compiler bug (solc 0.8.28–0.8.33 + --via-ir): ownership theft, reentrancy guard bypass, ~500K affected contracts
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §19.7` — 2300-gas stipend bypass via TSTORE: transfer()/send() no longer block reentrancy when callee uses TSTORE
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §22` — EVM EOF (EIP-7692/Fusaka): gas/code observability removal, EXTDELEGATECALL legacy restriction, deploy-time validation
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §3.4` — Math overflow sentinel errors: Cetus $223M pattern, wrong bit-shift boundaries in FullMath/PRBMath
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §6.6` — OZ v4→v5 storage slot migration break: sequential vs ERC-7201 namespaced layout
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §12.6` — Phantom collateral via failed external call: Abracadabra pattern, cook() batch-router shared-state
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §4.5` — ERC-7726 false validity assumption: oracle adapters that silently pass invalid data
- `references/vulnerability-taxonomy.md §18.6` — V4 hook LDF rounding attack: Bunni $8.4M, asymmetric rounding in add/remove liquidity
- `references/defi-checklist.md` — JIT liquidity attack checklist, LDF rounding checklist, Modular Lending (Morpho Blue + Euler V2 EVC) checklist
- `references/account-abstraction.md` — EIP-7701 Native AA section: ACCEPT_ROLE opcode risk, legacy contract unintentional validation
- `references/automated-detection.md` — TSTORE Poison version detector + co-usage regex patterns
### Navigation
- `references/INDEX.md` — Master index; lists category guide pointing to 4 focused sub-indexes
- `references/INDEX-vulns.md` — Vulnerability types + secure patterns → load during **Phase 3**
- `references/INDEX-defi.md` — DeFi protocols, tokens, invariants → load during **Phase 4**
- `references/INDEX-tools.md` — Tools, detection patterns, PoC templates → load during **Phase 2** or when writing PoCs
- `references/INDEX-advanced.md` — L2/AA/ZK/staking + "I found X" quick lookup table → load for specialized contexts
Load these files as needed based on the specific audit context.
## Important Notes
- Always state clearly if the review is a limited automated scan vs. a full manual audit
- Never guarantee that code is "100% secure" — audits reduce risk, they don't eliminate it
- Flag centralization risks even if they aren't traditional "vulnerabilities"
- Consider the economic incentives: would the exploit be profitable given gas costs?
- Check interactions with common DeFi primitives (flash loans, MEV, composability)
- When in doubt about severity, read how Sherlock, Code4rena, and Immunefi classify similar findings
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