trailofbits/audit-prep-assistant

Audit Prep Assistant

Purpose

Helps prepare for a security review using Trail of Bits' checklist. A well-prepared codebase makes the review process smoother and more effective.

Use this: 1-2 weeks before your security audit

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The Preparation Process

Step 1: Set Review Goals

Helps define what you want from the review:

Key Questions:

• What's the overall security level you're aiming for?
• What areas concern you most?
  • Previous audit issues?
  • Complex components?
  • Fragile parts?
• What's the worst-case scenario for your project?

Documents goals to share with the assessment team.

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Step 2: Resolve Easy Issues

Runs static analysis and helps fix low-hanging fruit:

Run Static Analysis:

For Solidity:

slither . --exclude-dependencies

For Rust:

dylint --all

For Go:

golangci-lint run

For Go/Rust/C++:

# CodeQL and Semgrep checks

Then I'll:

• Triage all findings
• Help fix easy issues
• Document accepted risks

Increase Test Coverage:

• Analyze current coverage
• Identify untested code
• Suggest new tests
• Run full test suite

Remove Dead Code:

• Find unused functions/variables
• Identify unused libraries
• Locate stale features
• Suggest cleanup

Goal: Clean static analysis report, high test coverage, minimal dead code

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Step 3: Ensure Code Accessibility

Helps make code clear and accessible:

Provide Detailed File List:

• List all files in scope
• Mark out-of-scope files
• Explain folder structure
• Document dependencies

Create Build Instructions:

• Write step-by-step setup guide
• Test on fresh environment
• Document dependencies and versions
• Verify build succeeds

Freeze Stable Version:

• Identify commit hash for review
• Create dedicated branch
• Tag release version
• Lock dependencies

Identify Boilerplate:

• Mark copied/forked code
• Highlight your modifications
• Document third-party code
• Focus review on your code

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Step 4: Generate Documentation

Helps create documentation:

Flowcharts and Sequence Diagrams:

• Map primary workflows
• Show component relationships
• Visualize data flow
• Identify critical paths

User Stories:

• Define user roles
• Document use cases
• Explain interactions
• Clarify expectations

On-chain/Off-chain Assumptions:

• Data validation procedures
• Oracle information
• Bridge assumptions
• Trust boundaries

Actors and Privileges:

• List all actors
• Document roles
• Define privileges
• Map access controls

External Developer Docs:

• Link docs to code
• Keep synchronized
• Explain architecture
• Document APIs

Function Documentation:

• System and function invariants
• Parameter ranges (min/max values)
• Arithmetic formulas and precision loss
• Complex logic explanations
• NatSpec for Solidity

Glossary:

• Define domain terms
• Explain acronyms
• Consistent terminology
• Business logic concepts

Video Walkthroughs (optional):

• Complex workflows
• Areas of concern
• Architecture overview

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How I Work

When invoked, I will:

1. Help set review goals - Ask about concerns and document them
2. Run static analysis - Execute appropriate tools for your platform
3. Analyze test coverage - Identify gaps and suggest improvements
4. Find dead code - Search for unused code and libraries
5. Review accessibility - Check build instructions and scope clarity
6. Generate documentation - Create flowcharts, user stories, glossaries
7. Create prep checklist - Track what's done and what's remaining

Adapts based on:

• Your platform (Solidity, Rust, Go, etc.)
• Available tools
• Existing documentation
• Review timeline

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Rationalizations (Do Not Skip)

| Rationalization | Why It's Wrong | Required Action | |-----------------|----------------|-----------------| | "README covers setup, no need for detailed build instructions" | READMEs assume context auditors don't have | Test build on fresh environment, document every dependency version | | "Static analysis already ran, no need to run again" | Codebase changed since last run | Execute static analysis tools, generate fresh report | | "Test coverage looks decent" | "Looks decent" isn't measured coverage | Run coverage tools, identify specific untested code paths | | "Not much dead code to worry about" | Dead code hides during manual review | Use automated detection tools to find unused functions/variables | | "Architecture is straightforward, no diagrams needed" | Text descriptions miss visual patterns | Generate actual flowcharts and sequence diagrams | | "Can freeze version right before audit" | Last-minute freezing creates rushed handoff | Identify and document commit hash now, create dedicated branch | | "Terms are self-explanatory" | Domain knowledge isn't universal | Create comprehensive glossary with all domain-specific terms | | "I'll do this step later" | Steps build on each other - skipping creates gaps | Complete all 4 steps sequentially, track progress with checklist |

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Example Output

When I finish helping you prepare, you'll have concrete deliverables like:

=== AUDIT PREP PACKAGE ===

Project: DeFi DEX Protocol
Audit Date: March 15, 2024
Preparation Status: Complete

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## REVIEW GOALS DOCUMENT

Security Objectives:
- Verify economic security of liquidity pool swaps
- Validate oracle manipulation resistance
- Assess flash loan attack vectors

Areas of Concern:
1. Complex AMM pricing calculation (src/SwapRouter.sol:89-156)
2. Multi-hop swap routing logic (src/Router.sol)
3. Oracle price aggregation (src/PriceOracle.sol:45-78)

Worst-Case Scenario:
- Flash loan attack drains liquidity pools via oracle manipulation

Questions for Auditors:
- Can the AMM pricing model produce negative slippage under edge cases?
- Is the slippage protection sufficient to prevent sandwich attacks?
- How resilient is the system to temporary oracle failures?

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## STATIC ANALYSIS REPORT

Slither Scan Results:
✓ High: 0 issues
✓ Medium: 0 issues
⚠ Low: 2 issues (triaged - documented in TRIAGE.md)
ℹ Info: 5 issues (code style, acceptable)

Tool: slither . --exclude-dependencies
Date: March 1, 2024
Status: CLEAN (all critical issues resolved)

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## TEST COVERAGE REPORT

Overall Coverage: 94%
- Statements: 1,245 / 1,321 (94%)
- Branches: 456 / 498 (92%)
- Functions: 89 / 92 (97%)

Uncovered Areas:
- Emergency pause admin functions (tested manually)
- Governance migration path (one-time use)

Command: forge coverage
Status: EXCELLENT

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## CODE SCOPE

In-Scope Files (8):
✓ src/SwapRouter.sol (456 lines)
✓ src/LiquidityPool.sol (234 lines)
✓ src/PairFactory.sol (389 lines)
✓ src/PriceOracle.sol (167 lines)
✓ src/LiquidityManager.sol (298 lines)
✓ src/Governance.sol (201 lines)
✓ src/FlashLoan.sol (145 lines)
✓ src/RewardsDistributor.sol (178 lines)

Out-of-Scope:
- lib/ (OpenZeppelin, external dependencies)
- test/ (test contracts)
- scripts/ (deployment scripts)

Total In-Scope: 2,068 lines of Solidity

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## BUILD INSTRUCTIONS

Prerequisites:
- Foundry 0.2.0+
- Node.js 18+
- Git

Setup:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/project/repo.git
cd repo
git checkout audit-march-2024  # Frozen branch
forge install
forge build
forge test

Verification: ✓ Build succeeds without errors ✓ All 127 tests pass ✓ No warnings from compiler

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DOCUMENTATION

Generated Artifacts: ✓ ARCHITECTURE.md - System overview with diagrams ✓ USER_STORIES.md - 12 user interaction flows ✓ GLOSSARY.md - 34 domain terms defined ✓ docs/diagrams/contract-interactions.png ✓ docs/diagrams/swap-flow.png ✓ docs/diagrams/state-machine.png

NatSpec Coverage: 100% of public functions

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DEPLOYMENT INFO

Network: Ethereum Mainnet Commit: abc123def456 (audit-march-2024 branch) Deployed Contracts:

• SwapRouter: 0x1234...
• PriceOracle: 0x5678... [... etc]

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PACKAGE READY FOR AUDIT ✓ Next Step: Share with Trail of Bits assessment team

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## What You'll Get

**Review Goals Document**:
- Security objectives
- Areas of concern
- Worst-case scenarios
- Questions for auditors

**Clean Codebase**:
- Triaged static analysis (or clean report)
- High test coverage
- No dead code
- Clear scope

**Accessibility Package**:
- File list with scope
- Build instructions
- Frozen commit/branch
- Boilerplate identified

**Documentation Suite**:
- Flowcharts and diagrams
- User stories
- Architecture docs
- Actor/privilege map
- Inline code comments
- Glossary
- Video walkthroughs (if created)

**Audit Prep Checklist**:
- [ ] Review goals documented
- [ ] Static analysis clean/triaged
- [ ] Test coverage >80%
- [ ] Dead code removed
- [ ] Build instructions verified
- [ ] Stable version frozen
- [ ] Flowcharts created
- [ ] User stories documented
- [ ] Assumptions documented
- [ ] Actors/privileges listed
- [ ] Function docs complete
- [ ] Glossary created

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## Timeline

**2 weeks before audit**:
- Set review goals
- Run static analysis
- Start fixing issues

**1 week before audit**:
- Increase test coverage
- Remove dead code
- Freeze stable version
- Start documentation

**Few days before audit**:
- Complete documentation
- Verify build instructions
- Create final checklist
- Send package to auditors

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## Ready to Prep

Let me know when you're ready and I'll help you prepare for your security review!