Elevating Smart Contract Security: A Call to Action! 🛡️
Bello Roqeeb O.
🌐 Elevating Smart Contract Security: A Call to Action! 🛡️
It's been a transformative year since I delved into the expansive realm of web3 and blockchain technology. From a curious onlooker to a Solidity smart contract developer, I've evolved into a staunch advocate for digital security. Join me in unravelling the mysteries of smart contract security, where every revelation becomes a shield against the ever-growing complexities of our digital age.
My resolution and profound mission now are to contribute to the safety and security of this rapidly growing space. As the blockchain landscape continues to expand, the need for heightened security awareness becomes more critical than ever.
Imagine this space as a bustling metropolis, teeming with innovation and layering solutions. Just like any thriving city, the potential for vulnerabilities and risks is heightened. Web3 adoption is on the rise, and the intricacies of layering solutions demand a dedicated focus on security. It became clear to me that as we forge ahead with groundbreaking solutions, prioritizing space security is not just prudent but paramount.
In my quest for knowledge, I delved into a wealth of resources. Audit reports from industry pioneers like CertiK, Code4rena, QuillAudits, Cyfrin, insightful discussions on X threads, and many Medium articles became my companions. I immersed myself in the findings of solo auditors and organizations generously sharing their expertise on GitHub. Newsletters on Blockchain Threats and insightful post-mortems, coupled with enriching YouTube sessions featuring the trailblazers of the space, further fueled my exploration.
And now, after this incredible journey, I present a distilled checklist—an amalgamation of insights gained and lessons learned. This checklist is not just for me; it's a gift to those venturing into the captivating world of smart contract auditing and security research. Based on the wealth of information gathered during my research journey, this checklist is designed to serve as a stepping stone for enthusiasts and experts alike.
Smart Contract Auditing Vulnerabilities Checklist
Access Control and Authorization
• ☐ Verify that access controls are correctly implemented.
• ☐ Check for any missing or incorrect permission checks.
• ☐ Ensure that only authorized users or contracts can execute sensitive functions.
Integer Overflow and Underflow
• ☐ Review arithmetic operations for potential integer overflow or underflow.
• ☐ Consider using safe math libraries to prevent arithmetic issues.
Reentrancy Attacks
• ☐ Assess contracts for reentrancy vulnerabilities.
• ☐ Implement checks-effects-interactions pattern to mitigate reentrancy risks.
• ☐ Consider using reentrancy protection patterns, such as the “ReentrancyGuard.”
Unchecked External Calls
• ☐ Carefully inspect external calls to prevent unchecked calls to untrusted contracts.
• ☐ Implement checks and validation before interacting with external contracts.
Gas Limit and Loops
• ☐ Be aware of gas limitations and potential out-of-gas issues.
• ☐ Evaluate loops for gas usage and ensure they won’t run indefinitely.
Input Validation
• ☐ Validate input parameters and function arguments to prevent unexpected behaviour.
• ☐ Use require or revert statements for input validation.
Event and Logging Issues
• ☐ Confirm that relevant events are logged appropriately for transparency.
• ☐ Ensure that sensitive information is not logged in events.
Fallback Functions
• ☐ Evaluate fallback functions for potential vulnerabilities.
• ☐ Consider cautiously using the “receive” and “fallback” functions.
Code Complexity
• ☐ Review code complexity and consider refactoring overly complex functions.
• ☐ Follow best practices for code readability and maintainability.
Timestamp Dependence
• ☐ Avoid reliance on block timestamps for critical functionality.
• ☐ Use block numbers or other secure sources for time-dependent logic.
Cryptography and Randomness
• ☐ Validate the correctness of cryptographic functions.
• ☐ Use secure sources for generating randomness.
Upgradability and Governance
• ☐ Assess the smart contract for upgradability mechanisms and governance controls.
• ☐ Evaluate the security of the upgrade process.
Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
• ☐ Guard against potential DoS attacks by assessing resource-intensive operations.
• ☐ Implement limits on loops and recursive calls.
Front-Running
• ☐ Protect against front-running by minimizing the reliance on transaction order.
• ☐ Implement strategies to handle sensitive information and trades.
DelegateCall to Untrusted Contracts
• ☐ Be cautious when using delegatecall and ensure it is not used with untrusted contracts.
• ☐ Validate the integrity of the code being called.
Lack of Emergency Stop Mechanism
• ☐ Consider implementing an emergency stop mechanism to pause critical functions in case of unexpected issues.
• ☐ Ensure proper testing of emergency stop functionality.
Lack of Function Modifiers
• ☐ Utilize function modifiers to encapsulate common checks and logic.
• ☐ Avoid duplicating checks across multiple functions.
Gas Token Reentrancy
• ☐ Be cautious when interacting with gas token contracts to prevent reentrancy vulnerabilities.
• ☐ Implement safeguards to mitigate risks associated with gas token usage.
Lack of Fail-Safe Mode
• ☐ Plan for a fail-safe mode in case of critical vulnerabilities or unexpected events.
• ☐ Design a mechanism to freeze or upgrade the contract if needed.
Oracle Manipulation
• ☐ Be mindful of potential vulnerabilities related to external oracles.
• ☐ Implement secure ways to interact with oracles and validate their data.
Lack of Input Validation for External Calls
• ☐ Validate inputs received from external calls to prevent unexpected behaviour.
• ☐ Implement proper validation checks before processing external data.
Lack of Rate Limiting
• ☐ Consider implementing rate-limiting mechanisms to prevent abuse or potential attacks.
• ☐ Assess the contract’s susceptibility to spam or abuse.
Lack of Consistent Naming Conventions
• ☐ Follow consistent and clear naming conventions for functions, variables, and modifiers.
• ☐ Enhance code readability and reduce the likelihood of errors.
Incorrect API Usage
• ☐ Verify that external APIs are used correctly and securely.
• ☐ Avoid potential vulnerabilities arising from improper use of external services.
Unprotected Self-destruct
• ☐ Be cautious when using self-destruct and ensure it is protected with proper access controls.
• ☐ Assess the potential impact and risks associated with self-destruct functionality.
Lack of Token Migration Plan
• ☐ Plan for token migration and upgrades, considering the impact on users and security.
• ☐ Communicate migration plans clearly to users and stakeholders.
Cross-Chain Vulnerabilities
• ☐ If applicable, assess potential vulnerabilities related to cross-chain interactions.
• ☐ Implement secure methods for cross-chain communication.
Inadequate Logging and Monitoring
• ☐ Ensure comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect and respond to unusual activities.
• ☐ Implement alerts for critical events and potential security incidents.
Lack of Proper Documentation
• ☐ Provide clear and detailed documentation for smart contract users and developers.
• ☐ Include information on security considerations and best practices.
Misuse of Assembly
• ☐ Be cautious when using assembly and ensure it is used securely.
• ☐ Verify that assembly code does not introduce vulnerabilities.
Lack of Pause Functionality
• ☐ Consider implementing a pause functionality to halt specific contract operations if needed.
• ☐ Ensure proper testing and validation of the pause mechanism.
Insider Threats
• ☐ Guard against potential insider threats by implementing proper access controls and monitoring.
• ☐ Regularly review and update access permissions.
Price Manipulation attack
• ☐ Understand the potential risks associated with price manipulation attacks.
• ☐ Implement safeguards to mitigate the impact of manipulative practices.
Reply Attack
• ☐ Be aware of the vulnerabilities posed by replay attacks in blockchain transactions.
• ☐ Implement strategies to prevent unauthorized re-execution of valid transactions.
Sandwich Attack
• ☐ Recognize the characteristics and risks of a sandwich attack.
• ☐ Implement protective measures to mitigate the impact of sandwich attacks on trading.
Sybil Attack
• ☐ Understand the concept and risks of a Sybil attack.
• ☐ Implement mechanisms to detect and prevent Sybil attacks within the network.
Lack of Multi-Signature Controls
• ☐ Recognize the importance of multi-signature controls in enhancing security.
• ☐ Implement multi-signature solutions to prevent single points of failure.
📚 The Genesis of the Checklist:
My commitment for the next chapter is to review one audit report per day and share my reflections. Through these reviews, we'll collectively unravel the intricacies of smart contract security. Together, we'll learn, adapt, and fortify our understanding as we navigate this ever-evolving landscape.
Join me on this exciting expedition—where each audit report becomes a narrative, and every lesson learned becomes a beacon of knowledge. Let's explore, discuss, and grow as a community, ensuring that our journey in the blockchain space is not just groundbreaking but secure.
Here's to a year of discovery, growth, and making the blockchain space safer for all!
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