ZK/SEC Research notes from zkSecurity
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educative · zk

Unveiling the Magic Behind Starknet: A Deep Dive into New Specifications

In our partnership with Starknet, we have performed a number of security audits on some of the network's cryptographic components.

One challenge we encountered was the lack of comprehensive specifications – a common hurdle in the ZKP space. To navigate this, we had to reverse-engineer the protocol, piecing together its logic from various sources and observations.

In this quest to understand the true protocol being implemented, we wrote and published draft specifications for a number of the protocols that we looked at. You can find them here.

starknet rfcs

The specifications are still work-in-progress, and with the support of the community, we aim to refine and enhance them in the near future.

We wrote 4 specifications in total:

Starknet Channels for Fiat-Shamir Instantiation and Starknet Merkle Tree Polynomial Commitments . Both specifications can be seen as self-contained components, building blocks used by the other Starknet schemes.

Starknet FRI Verifier. This document specifies the verification of FRI proofs in the Starknet ecosystem. It builds on top of both of the previous specifications.

Starknet STARK Verifier. This document specifies the verification of STARK proofs in the Starknet ecosystem. It builds on top of all previous specifications, instantiating the FRI specification.

webpage

Feel free to open PRs or issues on the RFCs repository in order to help us improve these specifications.

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zkSecurity took part in judging the latest zkHack Montreal

We recently had the thrill of judging the latest zkHack competition in Montreal, where developers, researchers, and enthusiasts dove into the world of zero-knowledge proofs and privacy tech. The projects were incredibly innovative, featuring creative applications like ZK breathalyzers and ZK & GPS solutions. Check out the exciting results and insights from this year's event. You won't want to miss what these brilliant minds are bringing to the table!

ZK/SEC · September 02, 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

zkHack x zkSecurity (Whiteboard Session) - What is Zero-Knowledge (like, actually)?

We're excited to join zkHack's new season of whiteboard sessions, where you'll dive into the real meaning of "Zero Knowledge" with Nicolas Mohnblatt and David Wong. Discover when true zero-knowledge is at play, explore the differences between honest and dishonest verifiers, and understand why adaptive models are preferred. We'll unpack methods for generating hiding commitments and give you a comprehensive overview of the zero-knowledge aspects of PLONK. Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your understanding of ZK and its various applications!

ZK/SEC · October 04, 2024