ZK/SEC Quarterly

educative · zk

Projects That Shaped Modern zkVMs, Part 1

Curious about how zero-knowledge virtual machines (zkVMs) make computing more secure without the hassle? We delve into the fascinating world of zkVMs, where you can program in high-level languages like Rust or C and let cryptography handle the complexity. We'll explore the evolution of these innovative systems through projects like Cairo and RISC Zero, while touching on the unique benefits and technical insights each brings. Plus, learn about groundbreaking techniques for optimizing zkVMs with projects like Jolt, and discover a range of other influential zkVM initiatives. Get ready for an enlightening journey into secure computation!

Marco Besier, David Wong February 26, 2025 12 min Read →

Proof is in the Pudding · Part 3

Archetype x zkSecurity (Whiteboard Session) - Proof is in the Pudding: How to prove false statements

In our third whiteboard session with Archetype, we dive into the fascinating world of cryptographic protocols by breaking down the intricacies of the Fiat-Shamir security model and the GKR protocol. Whether you're a cryptography enthusiast or just curious about how these complex mechanisms enhance security, this is a chance to explore the theories with us in a friendly and digestible way. Don't miss the opportunity to expand your understanding of this cutting-edge topic!

ZK/SEC February 25, 2025 1 min

announcement

Looking for an internship in 2025?

Thinking about diving into the world of cryptography and cutting-edge tech? We're on the lookout for bright minds to join us for internships in areas like ZK, MPC, and post-quantum cryptography. Our past interns have tackled exciting projects like exploring ZK circuit vulnerabilities and delving into RISC-V zkVMs. If you want a fast track to an interview, try out the zkBank challenge, or simply send us your resume. Come join us and see where the journey takes you!

ZK/SEC February 25, 2025 1 min

Circle STARKs · Part 2

Circle STARKs: Part II, Circles

In this blog post, we dive into the fascinating world of Circle STARKs, exploring the algebra of complex numbers and how they can be extended to any field. We revisit the concept of the unit circle and its unique group structure, which allows for cool operations like squaring and doubling angles. You'll discover how these ideas apply to finite fields, creating intriguing structures like the twin-coset and standard position coset. The post leads us to understand vanishing polynomials, crucial in STARKs, and sets the stage for exploring the circle FFT in upcoming discussions. Perfect for anyone curious about cutting-edge cryptographic techniques!

Varun Thakore, Mathias Hall-Andersen February 21, 2025 16 min

educative · zk

A Gentle Introduction to the MPC-in-the-Head Transformation

In this blog post, we dive into the fascinating world of zero-knowledge proofs using the MPC-in-the-Head transformation, a clever method that constructs proof systems from any secure multiparty computation protocol. Originally proposed in 2007, this transformation uses a creative approach involving "imaginary parties" to prove knowledge without revealing it. We explain how this technique can be applied to develop post-quantum signature schemes, providing insights into its practical implications and efficiency. By exploring these concepts, readers will uncover a unique intersection of cryptography and computer science.

Giorgio Dell'Immagine February 20, 2025

security · zk

Uncovering and Fixing an Inflation Bug in Aleo

In November 2024, we found a significant inflation bug in the Aleo mainnet that could have allowed token minting without proper checks. We immediately informed the Aleo team, who swiftly addressed the issue with no detected exploitation. This post dives into the inner workings of Aleo and explains how transitions and records operate, providing insight into how the vulnerability was discovered and resolved. It's an intriguing look at blockchain security, zero-knowledge proofs, and the importance of thorough type checks to ensure robust protocol integrity.

Suneal Gong February 19, 2025

educative · security

Beyond L2s Maturity: A Formal Approach to Building Secure Blockchain Rollups

In our latest blog post, we dig into the fascinating world of blockchain rollups, focusing on their security and how they help Ethereum scale while maintaining its core values of decentralization. We'll break down the concepts of Optimistic and ZK-Rollups, discuss the importance of projects like L2BEAT in assessing rollup maturity, and introduce our formal model for ensuring rollup security. If you're curious about how forced transactions, safe blacklisting, and upgradeability are shaping the future of Ethereum, this is a read you won't want to miss.

Stefanos Chaliasos February 18, 2025

zkbugs · Part 2

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

educative · tools

An Introduction to Interactive Theorem Provers

Kevin Buzzard, a mathematician with a cautious view on human-checked proofs, found solace in interactive theorem provers, which verify mathematical proofs much like type-checking in programming. We explore how these tools, which are gaining traction in fields like applied cryptography, ensure rigorous and reliable proofs. With Lean as our focus, you'll discover how to dive into this fascinating world, see a proof in action, and learn how this technology is revolutionizing areas like zero-knowledge virtual machines. Curious about building rock-solid, machine-verified proofs? Check out our beginner-friendly guide!

Marco Besier February 04, 2025

Also in this issue 1 more article

December 09, 2024 A Technical Dive into Jolt: The RISC-V zkVM Imam Al-Fath · Jolt, part 3