solana-vulnerability-scanner
Scans Solana programs for 6 critical vulnerabilities including arbitrary CPI, improper PDA validation, missing signer/ownership checks, and sysvar spoofing. Use when auditing Solana/Anchor programs.
Best use case
solana-vulnerability-scanner is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Scans Solana programs for 6 critical vulnerabilities including arbitrary CPI, improper PDA validation, missing signer/ownership checks, and sysvar spoofing. Use when auditing Solana/Anchor programs.
Teams using solana-vulnerability-scanner should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/solana-vulnerability-scanner/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How solana-vulnerability-scanner Compares
| Feature / Agent | solana-vulnerability-scanner | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Scans Solana programs for 6 critical vulnerabilities including arbitrary CPI, improper PDA validation, missing signer/ownership checks, and sysvar spoofing. Use when auditing Solana/Anchor programs.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Solana Vulnerability Scanner
## 1. Purpose
Systematically scan Solana programs (native and Anchor framework) for platform-specific security vulnerabilities related to cross-program invocations, account validation, and program-derived addresses. This skill encodes 6 critical vulnerability patterns unique to Solana's account model.
## 2. When to Use This Skill
- Auditing Solana programs (native Rust or Anchor)
- Reviewing cross-program invocation (CPI) logic
- Validating program-derived address (PDA) implementations
- Pre-launch security assessment of Solana protocols
- Reviewing account validation patterns
- Assessing instruction introspection logic
## 3. Platform Detection
### File Extensions & Indicators
- **Rust files**: `.rs`
### Language/Framework Markers
```rust
// Native Solana program indicators
use solana_program::{
account_info::AccountInfo,
entrypoint,
entrypoint::ProgramResult,
pubkey::Pubkey,
program::invoke,
program::invoke_signed,
};
entrypoint!(process_instruction);
// Anchor framework indicators
use anchor_lang::prelude::*;
#[program]
pub mod my_program {
pub fn initialize(ctx: Context<Initialize>) -> Result<()> {
// Program logic
}
}
#[derive(Accounts)]
pub struct Initialize<'info> {
#[account(mut)]
pub authority: Signer<'info>,
}
// Common patterns
AccountInfo, Pubkey
invoke(), invoke_signed()
Signer<'info>, Account<'info>
#[account(...)] with constraints
seeds, bump
```
### Project Structure
- `programs/*/src/lib.rs` - Program implementation
- `Anchor.toml` - Anchor configuration
- `Cargo.toml` with `solana-program` or `anchor-lang`
- `tests/` - Program tests
### Tool Support
- **Trail of Bits Solana Lints**: Rust linters for Solana
- Installation: Add to Cargo.toml
- **anchor test**: Built-in testing framework
- **Solana Test Validator**: Local testing environment
---
## 4. How This Skill Works
When invoked, I will:
1. **Search your codebase** for Solana/Anchor programs
2. **Analyze each program** for the 6 vulnerability patterns
3. **Report findings** with file references and severity
4. **Provide fixes** for each identified issue
5. **Check account validation** and CPI security
---
## 5. Example Output
---
## 5. Vulnerability Patterns (6 Patterns)
I check for 6 critical vulnerability patterns unique to Solana. For detailed detection patterns, code examples, mitigations, and testing strategies, see [VULNERABILITY_PATTERNS.md](resources/VULNERABILITY_PATTERNS.md).
### Pattern Summary:
1. **Arbitrary CPI** ⚠️ CRITICAL - User-controlled program IDs in CPI calls
2. **Improper PDA Validation** ⚠️ CRITICAL - Using create_program_address without canonical bump
3. **Missing Ownership Check** ⚠️ HIGH - Deserializing accounts without owner validation
4. **Missing Signer Check** ⚠️ CRITICAL - Authority operations without is_signer check
5. **Sysvar Account Check** ⚠️ HIGH - Spoofed sysvar accounts (pre-Solana 1.8.1)
6. **Improper Instruction Introspection** ⚠️ MEDIUM - Absolute indexes allowing reuse
For complete vulnerability patterns with code examples, see [VULNERABILITY_PATTERNS.md](resources/VULNERABILITY_PATTERNS.md).
## 5. Scanning Workflow
### Step 1: Platform Identification
1. Verify Solana program (native or Anchor)
2. Check Solana version (1.8.1+ for sysvar security)
3. Locate program source (`programs/*/src/lib.rs`)
4. Identify framework (native vs Anchor)
### Step 2: CPI Security Review
```bash
# Find all CPI calls
rg "invoke\(|invoke_signed\(" programs/
# Check for program ID validation before each
# Should see program ID checks immediately before invoke
```
For each CPI:
- [ ] Program ID validated before invocation
- [ ] Cannot pass user-controlled program accounts
- [ ] Anchor: Uses `Program<'info, T>` type
### Step 3: PDA Validation Check
```bash
# Find PDA usage
rg "find_program_address|create_program_address" programs/
rg "seeds.*bump" programs/
# Anchor: Check for seeds constraints
rg "#\[account.*seeds" programs/
```
For each PDA:
- [ ] Uses `find_program_address()` or Anchor `seeds` constraint
- [ ] Bump seed stored and reused
- [ ] Not using user-provided bump
### Step 4: Account Validation Sweep
```bash
# Find account deserialization
rg "try_from_slice|try_deserialize" programs/
# Should see owner checks before deserialization
rg "\.owner\s*==|\.owner\s*!=" programs/
```
For each account used:
- [ ] Owner validated before deserialization
- [ ] Signer check for authority accounts
- [ ] Anchor: Uses `Account<'info, T>` and `Signer<'info>`
### Step 5: Instruction Introspection Review
```bash
# Find instruction introspection usage
rg "load_instruction_at|load_current_index|get_instruction_relative" programs/
# Check for checked versions
rg "load_instruction_at_checked|load_current_index_checked" programs/
```
- [ ] Using checked functions (Solana 1.8.1+)
- [ ] Using relative indexing
- [ ] Proper correlation validation
### Step 6: Trail of Bits Solana Lints
```toml
# Add to Cargo.toml
[dependencies]
solana-program = "1.17" # Use latest version
[lints.clippy]
# Enable Solana-specific lints
# (Trail of Bits solana-lints if available)
```
---
## 6. Reporting Format
### Finding Template
```markdown
## [CRITICAL] Arbitrary CPI - Unchecked Program ID
**Location**: `programs/vault/src/lib.rs:145-160` (withdraw function)
**Description**:
The `withdraw` function performs a CPI to transfer SPL tokens without validating that the provided `token_program` account is actually the SPL Token program. An attacker can provide a malicious program that appears to perform a transfer but actually steals tokens or performs unauthorized actions.
**Vulnerable Code**:
```rust
// lib.rs, line 145
pub fn withdraw(ctx: Context<Withdraw>, amount: u64) -> Result<()> {
let token_program = &ctx.accounts.token_program;
// WRONG: No validation of token_program.key()!
invoke(
&spl_token::instruction::transfer(...),
&[
ctx.accounts.vault.to_account_info(),
ctx.accounts.destination.to_account_info(),
ctx.accounts.authority.to_account_info(),
token_program.to_account_info(), // UNVALIDATED
],
)?;
Ok(())
}
```
**Attack Scenario**:
1. Attacker deploys malicious "token program" that logs transfer instruction but doesn't execute it
2. Attacker calls withdraw() providing malicious program as token_program
3. Vault's authority signs the transaction
4. Malicious program receives CPI with vault's signature
5. Malicious program can now impersonate vault and drain real tokens
**Recommendation**:
Use Anchor's `Program<'info, Token>` type:
```rust
use anchor_spl::token::{Token, Transfer};
#[derive(Accounts)]
pub struct Withdraw<'info> {
#[account(mut)]
pub vault: Account<'info, TokenAccount>,
#[account(mut)]
pub destination: Account<'info, TokenAccount>,
pub authority: Signer<'info>,
pub token_program: Program<'info, Token>, // Validates program ID automatically
}
pub fn withdraw(ctx: Context<Withdraw>, amount: u64) -> Result<()> {
let cpi_accounts = Transfer {
from: ctx.accounts.vault.to_account_info(),
to: ctx.accounts.destination.to_account_info(),
authority: ctx.accounts.authority.to_account_info(),
};
let cpi_ctx = CpiContext::new(
ctx.accounts.token_program.to_account_info(),
cpi_accounts,
);
anchor_spl::token::transfer(cpi_ctx, amount)?;
Ok(())
}
```
**References**:
- building-secure-contracts/not-so-smart-contracts/solana/arbitrary_cpi
- Trail of Bits lint: `unchecked-cpi-program-id`
```
---
## 7. Priority Guidelines
### Critical (Immediate Fix Required)
- Arbitrary CPI (attacker-controlled program execution)
- Improper PDA validation (account spoofing)
- Missing signer check (unauthorized access)
### High (Fix Before Launch)
- Missing ownership check (fake account data)
- Sysvar account check (authentication bypass, pre-1.8.1)
### Medium (Address in Audit)
- Improper instruction introspection (logic bypass)
---
## 8. Testing Recommendations
### Unit Tests
```rust
#[cfg(test)]
mod tests {
use super::*;
#[test]
#[should_panic]
fn test_rejects_wrong_program_id() {
// Provide wrong program ID, should fail
}
#[test]
#[should_panic]
fn test_rejects_non_canonical_pda() {
// Provide non-canonical bump, should fail
}
#[test]
#[should_panic]
fn test_requires_signer() {
// Call without signature, should fail
}
}
```
### Integration Tests (Anchor)
```typescript
import * as anchor from "@coral-xyz/anchor";
describe("security tests", () => {
it("rejects arbitrary CPI", async () => {
const fakeTokenProgram = anchor.web3.Keypair.generate();
try {
await program.methods
.withdraw(amount)
.accounts({
tokenProgram: fakeTokenProgram.publicKey, // Wrong program
})
.rpc();
assert.fail("Should have rejected fake program");
} catch (err) {
// Expected to fail
}
});
});
```
### Solana Test Validator
```bash
# Run local validator for testing
solana-test-validator
# Deploy and test program
anchor test
```
---
## 9. Additional Resources
- **Building Secure Contracts**: `building-secure-contracts/not-so-smart-contracts/solana/`
- **Trail of Bits Solana Lints**: https://github.com/trailofbits/solana-lints
- **Anchor Documentation**: https://www.anchor-lang.com/
- **Solana Program Library**: https://github.com/solana-labs/solana-program-library
- **Solana Cookbook**: https://solanacookbook.com/
---
## 10. Quick Reference Checklist
Before completing Solana program audit:
**CPI Security (CRITICAL)**:
- [ ] ALL CPI calls validate program ID before `invoke()`
- [ ] Cannot use user-provided program accounts
- [ ] Anchor: Uses `Program<'info, T>` type
**PDA Security (CRITICAL)**:
- [ ] PDAs use `find_program_address()` or Anchor `seeds` constraint
- [ ] Bump seed stored and reused (not user-provided)
- [ ] PDA accounts validated against canonical address
**Account Validation (HIGH)**:
- [ ] ALL accounts check owner before deserialization
- [ ] Native: Validates `account.owner == expected_program_id`
- [ ] Anchor: Uses `Account<'info, T>` type
**Signer Validation (CRITICAL)**:
- [ ] ALL authority accounts check `is_signer`
- [ ] Native: Validates `account.is_signer == true`
- [ ] Anchor: Uses `Signer<'info>` type
**Sysvar Security (HIGH)**:
- [ ] Using Solana 1.8.1+
- [ ] Using checked functions: `load_instruction_at_checked()`
- [ ] Sysvar addresses validated
**Instruction Introspection (MEDIUM)**:
- [ ] Using relative indexes for correlation
- [ ] Proper validation between related instructions
- [ ] Cannot reuse same instruction across multiple calls
**Testing**:
- [ ] Unit tests cover all account validation
- [ ] Integration tests with malicious inputs
- [ ] Local validator testing completed
- [ ] Trail of Bits lints enabled and passingRelated Skills
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