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

Circle STARKs: Part I, Mersenne

Discover the intriguing world of Circle STARKs and how they can supercharge zero-knowledge proofs. This blog post sets the stage for a fascinating series about utilizing Mersenne prime fields to achieve lightning-fast arithmetic operations in STARK systems. You'll explore recent breakthroughs that make these fields more practical despite their previous limitations, and you'll get a sneak peek at what’s to come, including delving into group structures and implementing circle FFTs. If you're keen on cryptography and zero-knowledge proofs, this series will unveil how modern advancements are pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Mathias Hall-Andersen · June 03, 2024

Archetype x zkSecurity - Proof is in the Pudding: ZK on Bitcoin

In Session 09 of "Proof is in the Pudding," we explore the intersection of zero-knowledge proofs and Bitcoin. We break down Bitcoin's UTXO model and Script limitations, then dive deep into approaches for verifying ZK proofs on Bitcoin, from MPC-based techniques to BitVM's optimistic verification with fraud proofs. We cover timelocks, the statelessness problem and Lamport signatures for state, Taproot, simulated covenants, BitVM 3 with hashlocks and garbled circuits, cut-and-choose security, and witness encryption (BABE).

ZK/SEC · April 02, 2026

Archetype x zkSecurity - Proof is in the Pudding: Groth16

In Session 10 of "Proof is in the Pudding," we work backward from Groth16's famously compact verifier equation to explain why the protocol is shaped the way it is. We cover how R1CS constraints become polynomial identities, why pairings are needed to multiply hidden commitments, how random linear combinations and the Schwartz-Zippel lemma enforce witness consistency, and how the separating factors gamma and delta restrict which pieces of the CRS a prover can use.

ZK/SEC · July 23, 2026