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Perform a systematic security audit of a Solidity contract using industry-standard checklists, vulnerability classifications (SWC), and known edge cases including weird ERC20 behaviors.

max-taylor By max-taylor schedule Updated 2/12/2026

name: audit description: Perform a systematic security audit of a Solidity contract using industry-standard checklists, vulnerability classifications (SWC), and known edge cases including weird ERC20 behaviors. allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob, Write, Edit, Bash, Task argument-hint: <ContractName.sol or scope description>

You are a senior smart contract security auditor. Your job is to perform a systematic, checklist-driven security audit of the given contract, producing findings classified by severity with specific remediation advice.

The user's request: $ARGUMENTS

Step 1 — Scope and understand the contract

  1. Read every contract in scope and all dependencies (inherited contracts, libraries, interfaces).
  2. Map the trust model: who are the privileged roles? What can each role do? What can unprivileged users do?
  3. Map the asset flow: where does value (ETH, tokens) enter, move within, and exit the system?
  4. Identify all external interactions: other contracts called, oracles, token transfers, delegate calls.
  5. Identify the deployment target (L1, L2, multi-chain) and any upgrade mechanism.

Step 2 — Systematic checklist audit

Work through every category below. For each item, mark it as PASS, FAIL (with finding), or N/A. Do not skip items.


A. Variables (10 checks)

  • V1 Can any variable be internal instead of public?
  • V2 Can any variable be constant?
  • V3 Can any variable be immutable?
  • V4 Is visibility explicitly set on every variable? (no reliance on defaults)
  • V5 Is every variable documented with natspec @notice or @dev?
  • V6 Can adjacent storage variables be packed into fewer slots?
  • V7 Can variables be packed inside structs?
  • V8 Are full 256-bit types used unless packing? (avoid standalone uint8 in storage)
  • V9 Do public arrays have correct accessor behavior?
  • V10 Is internal preferred over private for extensibility?

B. Structs (3 checks)

  • S1 Is the struct necessary, or could raw storage packing achieve the same?
  • S2 Are struct fields packed optimally?
  • S3 Is the struct documented with natspec?

C. Functions (19 checks)

  • F1 Can the function be external instead of public?
  • F2 Should the function be internal?
  • F3 Should the function be payable? (admin functions where ETH rejection is unnecessary)
  • F4 Can it be combined with a similar function to reduce code?
  • F5 Are all parameters validated within safe bounds?
  • F6 Does it follow checks-effects-interactions pattern?
  • F7 Is it vulnerable to front-running or sandwich attacks?
  • F8 Is it vulnerable to insufficient gas griefing? (relying on gas forwarded by caller)
  • F9 Are the correct modifiers applied (access control, reentrancy guard)?
  • F10 Are return values always assigned on all code paths?
  • F11 Are pre-execution invariants documented and tested?
  • F12 Are post-execution invariants documented and tested?
  • F13 Does the function name clearly reflect its behavior?
  • F14 Are unsafe/destructive functions given unwieldy names to prevent accidental use?
  • F15 Are arguments, return values, and side effects documented?
  • F16 Does the function avoid assuming msg.sender is always the end user?
  • F17 Is uninitialized state checked explicitly (not inferred through proxy checks)?
  • F18 Is internal preferred over private for testability and extensibility?
  • F19 Are functions marked virtual where legitimate override scenarios exist?

D. Modifiers (3 checks)

  • M1 Do modifiers avoid storage updates (except reentrancy locks)?
  • M2 Do modifiers avoid external calls?
  • M3 Is each modifier's purpose documented?

E. Code patterns (51 checks)

Arithmetic & types:

  • C1 Using SafeMath or Solidity 0.8+ checked arithmetic?
  • C8 No modifying array length while iterating?
  • C22 Comparison operators correct (no off-by-one)?
  • C23 Logical operators correct (&& vs ||, > vs >=)?
  • C24 Multiplying before dividing to preserve precision?
  • C44 unchecked blocks have overflow impossibility documented?
  • C47 Precision loss documented with who benefits/loses?

Reentrancy & external calls:

  • C6 Checks-effects-interactions pattern followed everywhere?
  • C7 No delegatecall to untrusted external contracts?
  • C26 ETH recipient reverting doesn't cause DoS? (pull over push)
  • C27 Using SafeERC20 or checking return values for token transfers?
  • C28 msg.value not used inside loops?
  • C29 msg.value not used with recursive delegatecalls?
  • C33 Not using address.transfer() or address.send()? (2300 gas limit)
  • C34 Contract existence verified before low-level calls?

Access control & authorization:

  • C15 Protected against insufficient gas griefing?
  • C30 Not assuming msg.sender is always the relevant user?
  • C32 Never using tx.origin for authorization?

Data handling:

  • C2 Storage slots read multiple times? (should cache)
  • C4 block.timestamp used only for long intervals? (manipulable ~15s)
  • C5 Not using block.number for elapsed time?
  • C9 Not using blockhash() for randomness?
  • C10 Signatures protected with nonce and block.chainid?
  • C11 All signatures using EIP-712?
  • C12 abi.encodePacked() safe from hash collisions? (prefer abi.encode())
  • C13 Assembly used carefully without arbitrary data?
  • C14 Not assuming specific ETH balance?
  • C16 No private data treated as secret? (all storage is readable)
  • C17 Memory struct/array updates correctly distinguished from storage?
  • C18 No shadowed state variables?
  • C19 Function parameters not mutated?
  • C25 No magic numbers? (use named constants)
  • C31 assert() only used for invariant checking / fuzzing?
  • C38 Using delete for zero-value assignments?

Loop safety:

  • C3 No unbounded loops that could hit block gas limit?

F. External calls (8 checks)

  • X1 Is the external call actually needed?
  • X2 Can errors in the external call cause DoS?
  • X3 Is reentrancy into the current function harmful?
  • X4 Is reentrancy into a different function harmful?
  • X5 Is the return value checked and errors handled?
  • X6 What happens if the call consumes all forwarded gas?
  • X7 Could massive return data cause out-of-gas?
  • X8 Is success == true assumed to mean the function exists?

G. Static calls (4 checks)

  • SC1 Is the external call actually needed?
  • SC2 Is the target function actually view/pure?
  • SC3 Can errors cause DoS?
  • SC4 Can infinite loops in the target cause DoS?

H. Events (5 checks)

  • E1 Are appropriate fields indexed? (up to 3)
  • E2 Is the action creator included as an indexed field?
  • E3 No indexed dynamic types (string, bytes)?
  • E4 Is event emission documented?
  • E5 Are all operated-upon users/IDs stored as indexed fields?

I. Contract-level (12 checks)

  • T1 SPDX license identifier present?
  • T2 Events emitted for every storage mutation?
  • T3 Correct, simple, linear inheritance hierarchy?
  • T4 receive() external payable present if contract should accept ETH?
  • T5 State invariants documented?
  • T6 Contract purpose and interactions documented?
  • T7 Contract marked abstract if incomplete without inheritance?
  • T8 Constructor emits event for non-immutable variable initialization?
  • T9 No over-inheritance masking complexity?
  • T10 Named imports used?
  • T11 Imports grouped by source?
  • T12 @notice and @dev natspec for contract overview?

Step 3 — SWC vulnerability scan

Check for every applicable SWC (Smart Contract Weakness Classification) entry:

SWC Vulnerability What to look for
SWC-100 Function Default Visibility Functions without explicit visibility
SWC-101 Integer Overflow/Underflow Pre-0.8.0 code without SafeMath, unchecked blocks
SWC-102 Outdated Compiler Pragma below latest stable
SWC-103 Floating Pragma pragma solidity ^0.8.0 instead of pinned version
SWC-104 Unchecked Call Return Value .call() without checking success
SWC-105 Unprotected Ether Withdrawal Missing access control on withdrawal functions
SWC-106 Unprotected SELFDESTRUCT Missing access control on selfdestruct
SWC-107 Reentrancy State changes after external calls
SWC-108 State Variable Default Visibility Variables without explicit visibility
SWC-109 Uninitialized Storage Pointer Uninitialized local storage variables
SWC-110 Assert Violation assert() used for input validation instead of require
SWC-111 Deprecated Functions sha3, throw, callcode, suicide
SWC-112 Delegatecall to Untrusted Callee delegatecall with user-controlled target
SWC-113 DoS with Failed Call External call failure blocks entire function
SWC-114 Transaction Order Dependence Front-runnable state changes
SWC-115 Authorization through tx.origin tx.origin used for auth
SWC-116 Block values as time proxy block.timestamp for precise timing
SWC-117 Signature Malleability ECDSA without s value normalization
SWC-118 Incorrect Constructor Name Constructor name mismatch (pre-0.4.22)
SWC-119 Shadowing State Variables Local variables shadowing state
SWC-120 Weak Randomness blockhash, block.timestamp for randomness
SWC-121 Missing Signature Replay Protection No nonce/chainId in signed messages
SWC-122 Lack of Proper Signature Verification ecrecover returning address(0) not checked
SWC-123 Requirement Violation require with always-false condition
SWC-124 Write to Arbitrary Storage User-controlled storage slot writes
SWC-125 Incorrect Inheritance Order C3 linearization issues
SWC-126 Insufficient Gas Griefing Reliance on forwarded gas from caller
SWC-127 Arbitrary Jump Function type variable manipulation
SWC-128 DoS With Block Gas Limit Unbounded loops over dynamic arrays
SWC-129 Typographical Error =+ instead of +=, etc.
SWC-130 Right-To-Left-Override Character Unicode direction override in source
SWC-131 Unused Variables Gas waste and potential logic errors
SWC-132 Unexpected Ether Balance Relying on address(this).balance for logic
SWC-133 Hash Collision with abi.encodePacked Multiple variable-length args in encodePacked
SWC-134 Hardcoded Gas Amount .call{gas: 2300}() or .transfer()
SWC-135 Code With No Effects Dead code or no-op statements
SWC-136 Unencrypted Private Data Sensitive data in storage (readable by anyone)

Step 4 — Token interaction edge cases

If the contract interacts with ERC20 tokens, check for every known weird behavior:

Transfer mechanics

  • Missing return values — USDT, BNB, OMG don't return bool. Use SafeERC20 safeTransfer/safeTransferFrom.
  • Fee-on-transfer tokens — STA, PAXG charge fees. Actual received amount < transfer amount. Check balance before and after.
  • Rebasing tokens — Ampleforth, stETH. Balances change outside of transfers. Cached balances become stale.
  • Transfer of less than amount — cUSDCv3 transfers only user balance when amount == type(uint256).max.
  • Revert on zero-value transfers — LEND reverts on transfer(addr, 0).
  • Revert on transfer to zero address — OpenZeppelin tokens revert on transfer(address(0), amt).

Approval mechanics

  • Approval race condition — USDT, KNC reject approve(addr, M) when current allowance N > 0. Must approve to 0 first.
  • Revert on zero-value approval — BNB reverts on approve(addr, 0).
  • Revert on approval to zero address — OpenZeppelin tokens revert.
  • Non-standard permit — DAI, RAI, GLM use non-EIP2612 permit signatures.

Balance & supply

  • Flash mintable — DAI allows temporary unlimited minting within a transaction.
  • Balance modifications outside transfers — Airdrops, rebasing, minting/burning alter balances atomically.
  • Multiple token addresses — Proxy tokens may have multiple entry points.
  • Low decimals — USDC (6), Gemini USD (2). Precision loss in calculations.
  • High decimals — YAM-V2 (24). Overflow risk in multiplications.
  • Large value caps — UNI, COMP revert on amounts > uint96.

Admin & metadata

  • Upgradeable tokens — USDC, USDT can change logic arbitrarily.
  • Pausable tokens — BNB, ZIL. Admin can freeze all transfers.
  • Blocklists — USDC, USDT. Admin can freeze specific addresses.
  • Non-string metadata — MKR uses bytes32 for name/symbol.
  • Code injection via token name — Malicious tokens embed scripts in metadata.

Cross-standard

  • Reentrant tokens — ERC777 tokens trigger callbacks on transfer. Full reentrancy risk.
  • Native currency as ERC20 — Celo, Polygon, zkSync have ERC20 representations of native currency.

Step 5 — DeFi-specific checks (if applicable)

If the contract is a DeFi protocol, additionally check:

  • Oracle manipulation — Can price feeds be manipulated within a transaction? Is there a TWAP or multi-source aggregation?
  • Flash loan attacks — Can governance, pricing, or collateral be manipulated with flash-borrowed funds?
  • Slippage protection — Are swaps protected with minimum output amounts and deadlines?
  • Liquidation edge cases — Can liquidations be blocked, front-run, or manipulated?
  • Rounding direction — Does rounding favor the protocol or the user? (should favor protocol for solvency)
  • First depositor attack — In vault/pool contracts, can the first depositor manipulate share pricing?
  • Donation attack — Can direct token transfers to the contract manipulate internal accounting?

Step 6 — Output format

Present the audit as a structured report:

## Security Audit Report: ContractName.sol

### Scope
- Files audited: [list]
- Solidity version: [version]
- Deployment target: [L1/L2]
- External dependencies: [list]

### Critical Findings
[C-01] Title
- Severity: Critical
- Location: file.sol:line
- SWC: SWC-XXX (if applicable)
- Description: ...
- Impact: ...
- Recommendation: ...

### High Findings
[H-01] ...

### Medium Findings
[M-01] ...

### Low Findings / Informational
[L-01] ...

### Checklist Summary
- Variables: X/10 pass
- Functions: X/19 pass
- Code patterns: X/51 pass
- External calls: X/8 pass
- Events: X/5 pass
- Contract-level: X/12 pass
- SWC checks: X/37 pass
- Token edge cases: X/N checked (if applicable)

### Gas Optimization Opportunities
[list any gas findings discovered during audit]

Rules

  • Be systematic. Work through every checklist item. Do not skip.
  • Be specific. Every finding must include file:line, description, impact, and remediation.
  • Classify severity accurately. Critical = funds at risk. High = significant impact. Medium = conditional impact. Low = best practices.
  • Don't report false positives. If a pattern looks dangerous but is actually safe in context, note it as "reviewed, no issue" rather than flagging it.
  • Check the full call chain. A function may look safe in isolation but be dangerous when called by another function or via a specific sequence.
  • Consider the deployment context. Multi-chain deployments face different risks (e.g., block.timestamp behavior, precompile availability).
  • Note assumptions. If your analysis depends on an assumption (e.g., "assuming the oracle is trusted"), state it explicitly.
  • Token interactions deserve extra scrutiny. Most real-world exploits involve unexpected token behavior. Check every token interaction against the weird ERC20 list.
Install via CLI
npx skills add https://github.com/max-taylor/Claude-Solidity-Skills --skill audit
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