ZK/SEC Research notes from zkSecurity
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New Challenge Alert: Complete Both to Join zkSecurity

new challenge

We're always on the lookout for passionate people to join us to work on the most exciting projects in the ZK space. After launching our first hiring challenge, zkBank, we're excited to announce that we're raising the bar!

To get a chance at joining zkSecurity, candidates must now complete BOTH challenges:

  1. zkBank - Our original challenge that tests your ability to learn and apply knowledge across various areas of ZK. Check it out at https://blog.zksecurity.xyz/posts/zkbank/

  2. Curve Machine - Our new challenge that will push your skills even further in the world of zero-knowledge security.

Both challenges are designed to test different aspects of what makes a great ZK security researcher. If you think you have what it takes to solve them both, head over to our jobs page at https://zksecurity.xyz/jobs for all the details and get started!

Are you ready to prove yourself?

Keep reading
Recommended

zkBitcoin: Use Zero-Knowledge Applications (zkapps) on Bitcoin

We're excited to introduce zkBitcoin, a new tool that lets you create zero-knowledge applications on Bitcoin using a minimal layer 2 protocol. This innovation opens up a world of complex, privacy-focused apps by enhancing Bitcoin's scripting capabilities. We're currently on testnet, so you can jump in and explore the possibilities. Check out our whitepaper or watch some videos for a deeper dive. It's an exciting time for Bitcoin development, and we can't wait to see what you'll build!

David Wong · January 31, 2024

Introducing bugs.zksecurity.xyz a knowledge base for ZK bugs

We're thrilled to introduce our new site, [bugs.zksecurity.xyz](https://bugs.zksecurity.xyz/), a hub for exploring past vulnerabilities in ZK circuits. Dive into our growing catalog of documented bugs and learn how we've reproduced some with comprehensive scripts. Discover evaluations of prominent security tools like Circomspect and Picus, and see where they shine or stumble. We're calling on the community to join us in expanding this invaluable resource, whether by adding bugs, reproducing them, or improving our platform. Let's collaborate to elevate ZK security together!

Stefanos Chaliasos · February 17, 2025

Reproducing and Exploiting ZK Circuit Vulnerabilities

Check out our latest blog post where we dive into the world of Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) vulnerabilities, sharing our insights from replicating known ZK circuit weaknesses. We’ve launched a GitHub repo with detailed scripts to help you understand, reproduce, and learn from these vulnerabilities. Discover how this hands-on approach aids in grasping attack vectors, testing fixes, and enriching educational resources. Whether you're a researcher or a developer, this post is packed with info to enhance your knowledge and skills in ZKP security. Plus, find out how you can contribute to expanding this invaluable resource!

Stefanos Chaliasos, Chenyang Yu · August 09, 2024
More to explore

noname: ZK app developers should be able to see down to the constraints

Zero-knowledge apps are evolving, and we've been diving into their two main forms: VM instructions and arithmetic circuits. Understanding the "assembly" layer is crucial for developers, especially when optimizing and ensuring security. We’ve played around with a new toy language called **noname**, blending Golang and Rust vibes to make zkApps more understandable. With **noname**, you get detailed insights about how your code translates into gates, offering a clearer picture of the underlying "assembly" and helping pinpoint compiler bugs. If you're curious about enhancing your low-level programming skills or peeking into circuit construction, check out our experiments and see if this inspires you to create better debugging tools!

David Wong · June 03, 2023

Partnership with StarkWare

We're teaming up with StarkWare to enhance Ethereum's scalability using an exciting tool called the EVM adapter. This innovative open-source project takes proofs from the Stone Prover and makes them verifiable on Ethereum, showcasing the power of Cairo bootloader programs for Layer 2 scaling. By diving into our collaboration, you'll get a glimpse of StarkNet's ability to streamline transactions efficiently and how our joint efforts are driving this tech forward. Plus, our Stark Book offers a deeper technical dive for the curious minds!

ZK/SEC · April 05, 2024

Unfolding the Bulletproofs Magic: A SageMath Deep Dive

In this post, we dive deep into the Inner Product Argument (IPA), the mathematical core of Bulletproofs. Starting from simple vector folding, we build up to a full zero-knowledge proof with Pedersen commitments, explore how the mysterious `L` and `R` terms appear, and finish with smart verifier optimizations. All illustrated with clear, runnable SageMath code.

teddav · October 27, 2025