Suzaku is a comprehensive staking infrastructure that enables permissionless validator management and delegation for Avalanche L1 networks. The protocol implements a multi-asset class staking system where operators can run validators backed by delegated stake from multiple vault types, with automated rewards distribution based on validator uptime and performance.
Suzaku is building a permissionless, multi-asset validator infrastructure designed to serve as the backbone for Avalanche L1 networks.
The protocol implements sophisticated multi-asset class staking systems where operators can run validators backed by delegated stake from multiple vault types, with automated rewards distribution based on validator uptime and performance.
Suzaku's novel architecture, including cross-chain validator lifecycle management, automated stake rebalancing, and dynamic rewards calculations, introduced a broad and intricate risk surface. Its interactions with Avalanche’s P-Chain and use of Avalanche Interchain Messaging (ICM) added further nuance, making the need for a rigorous pre-launch security audit critical.
Suzaku selected Cyfrin based on strong recommendations and the team’s reputation for deep protocol-level security audits.
The audit was scoped as a pre-mainnet review, with Suzaku providing a stable commit and an actively maintained testnet environment. The engagement was designed to be high-touch and technically intensive.
The Suzaku team was particularly focused on potential vulnerabilities around epoch handling and state synchronization, and Cyfrin aligned the audit strategy accordingly.
Asynchronous communication through dedicated communications channels enabled tight coordination, fast clarifications, and swift issue triage.
Cyfrin's expertise in blockchain security, combined with deep knowledge of Avalanche's unique architecture, positioned the team well for this audit.
Cyfrin’s auditing team understood that Suzaku's cross-chain validator management required specialized knowledge of both P-Chain mechanics and sophisticated DeFi protocols. Their experience with multi-asset systems and cross-chain vulnerabilities proved essential for identifying attack vectors that traditional single-chain audits might miss.
The engagement kicked off with multi-day technical deep-dives led by Suzaku’s developers. These sessions helped Cyfrin understand not just the code, but the protocol's operational intent: how validator states are cached per epoch, how stake rebalancing logic works, and how the protocol ensures fairness and consistency in reward distribution.
The teams coordinated daily, trading ideas, surfacing concerns, and working through complex scenarios.
As vulnerabilities were discovered, Cyfrin delivered Suzaku proof-of-concept (PoC) code with detailed impact explanations, which enabled Suzaku to begin mitigation work without delay. Weekly summaries enabled both sides to prioritize responses and keep stakeholders informed.
Cyfrin's methodology combined a comprehensive manual review with sophisticated testing strategies.
The team conducted extensive research on Avalanche's P-Chain and C-Chain mechanics, studying ICM protocols that facilitate P-Chain communication. Research that was crucial to understanding Suzaku's unique context and identifying potential vulnerabilities specific to Avalanche's architecture.
Given the protocol's modularity and complexity, the audit team understood standard test coverage would not be enough.
Cyfrin approached the audit with a dual methodology: a comprehensive manual code review and automated testing across a matrix of scenarios. Key elements of the review included:
Cyfrin extended Suzaku's existing test suite and created comprehensive end-to-end integration tests covering complex edge cases.
Cyfrin employed both fuzz testing and invariant testing to identify inconsistencies in reward distribution and boundary conditions at epoch transitions.
To ensure high-confidence results, Cyfrin went beyond standard audit practices by building tailored test infrastructure:
These tools were pivotal. Integration tests in particular revealed high-severity vulnerabilities that would have been missed by conventional means.
The findings revealed attack vectors unique to cross-chain validator management systems.
Findings also revealed deeper attack surfaces unique to cross-chain validator management. For example, inconsistencies between middleware state and P-Chain confirmations introduced timing attacks. Precision loss in stake-weight conversions created unexpected vulnerabilities around stake accounting. And non-uniform security enforcement across factory methods opened pathways for bypassing blacklist mechanisms.
By surfacing and addressing these issues, Suzaku transformed from a theoretically promising platform into one that could credibly serve as the backbone of Avalanche L1’s staking and decentralization economy.
Cyfrin delivered comprehensive reports with detailed PoCs, enabling Suzaku's team to quickly analyze issues and implement mitigations.
Of the 51 identified issues, Suzaku resolved 43 and acknowledged 8. The team created PRs with proper comments, inline documentation, and necessary test modifications.
Cyfrin conducted a post-mitigation review to ensure fixes were properly implemented and new vulnerabilities weren’t introduced.
The audit's impact extended beyond immediate fixes. The experience helped Suzaku’s team gain insights into smart contract security and recognize the need for robust integration tests, committing to expanding their test infrastructure before mainnet launch.
While the audit strengthened the protocol’s security posture, Cyfrin emphasized that a second audit would be essential prior to launch, given the platform’s foundational role and unique architecture.
This recommendation underscores the thoroughness of Cyfrin's approach and commitment to long-term protocol security rather than simply completing an engagement.
Suzaku has a bold vision for Avalanche L1s staking and decentralization. With Cyfrin’s deep technical partnership, that vision is now backed by a more secure, robust, and resilient implementation.
As Suzaku prepares for mainnet, its core infrastructure stands stronger not just because vulnerabilities were found and fixed, but because the process surfaced insights that will guide its evolution and scalability going forward.
If your protocol is looking for an audit partner to help strengthen security, Cyfrin Audits can help. Contact us today!
