logic-error

name	logic-error
description	Auto-loaded by logic-auditor agent during Phase 2. Provides detection patterns for: division before multiplication, first depositor attacks, precision loss, unchecked blocks, missing slippage, edge cases. Core artifact: Calculation Flow Map.
user-invocable	false

Business Logic Vulnerability Analysis

2025 Statistics: Logic errors caused $63.8M+ losses, Input validation = 34.6% of vulnerabilities, Rounding attacks (Bunni) = $2.4M-$8.3M.

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Why Logic Bugs Happen (Root Causes)

Root Cause 1: Integer-Only Arithmetic

Solidity has NO floating point. Every division truncates.

// In normal math: 5 / 2 = 2.5
// In Solidity:    5 / 2 = 2  ← Where does 0.5 go?

uint256 fee = amount / 10000 * feeRate;
// If amount = 5000, feeRate = 100:
// 5000 / 10000 = 0  ← Division first!
// 0 * 100 = 0       ← Fee bypassed!

Attacker's view: "Every time they divide, precision is lost. I'll make sure it's lost to ME."

Root Cause 2: Operation Order

Division before multiplication destroys precision.

// VULNERABLE: Divide first
uint256 result = a / b * c;  // @audit Precision lost!

// SECURE: Multiply first
uint256 result = a * c / b;  // Preserves more precision

// Example with a=100, b=3, c=3:
// Wrong order: 100/3*3 = 33*3 = 99  (lost 1)
// Right order: 100*3/3 = 300/3 = 100 (exact)

Detection: Any X / Y * Z pattern is suspect. Check if X * Z / Y is possible.

Root Cause 3: Rounding Direction Mismatch

Protocol rounds in attacker's favor, not protocol's favor.

// VULNERABLE: Rounding favors user on withdraw
function withdraw(uint256 shares) external {
    uint256 assets = shares * totalAssets / totalSupply;  // @audit Rounds DOWN
    // Attacker withdraws many small amounts
    // Each time keeps the rounded-down dust
}

// SECURE: Round against the user
function withdraw(uint256 shares) external {
    uint256 assets = shares * totalAssets / totalSupply;  // Still rounds down
    // But on DEPOSIT, also round down (user gets fewer shares)
    // Protocol never loses from rounding
}

Rule: Round DOWN on withdraw (user gets less), round DOWN on deposit (user pays more).

Root Cause 4: Missing Edge Case Handling

Zero, one, max, first, last - all create special behaviors.

// VULNERABLE: No zero check
function distribute(uint256 amount, uint256 recipients) external {
    uint256 perPerson = amount / recipients;  // @audit recipients = 0 → revert
    // Or recipients = 1000000 → perPerson = 0
}

Attacker's view: "What happens at the boundaries? That's where bugs hide."

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The Calculation Flow Map (Core Artifact)

Trace every arithmetic operation:

Input (amount, shares, etc.)
    ↓
Validation (bounds check? zero check?)
    ↓
Calculation (what order? division when?)
    ↓
Rounding (which direction? who loses?)
    ↓
State Update (invariant preserved?)
    ↓
Output (expected vs actual?)

Document each calculation:

Function	Operation	Order	Rounding	Risk
mint()	shares = assets * supply / total	Mul first ✓	Down (protocol wins)	First depositor
fee()	fee = amount / 10000 * rate	Div first ✗	Down → zero	Fee bypass
redeem()	assets = shares * total / supply	Mul first ✓	Down (user loses)	Check

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Detection Patterns

Pattern 1: Division Before Multiplication

Root Cause: Operation Order

// VULNERABLE: Precision loss
uint256 fee = amount / 10000 * feeRate;
// If amount < 10000, fee = 0 regardless of feeRate!

uint256 share = deposit / totalAssets * totalSupply;
// Small deposits get 0 shares!

Attack Flow:

1. Find function with a / b * c pattern
2. Input value where a < b
3. Result = 0, bypassing intended logic
4. Repeat to accumulate benefit

Search Queries:

Grep("/.*\\*", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("\\*/", glob="**/*.sol")

Verification Questions:

• Can the division result in zero?
• Would reordering to a * c / b be safe (no overflow)?
• What's the minimum input that gives non-zero result?

Pattern 2: First Depositor / Vault Inflation Attack

Root Cause: Rounding + Empty State

// VULNERABLE: Standard ERC4626 share calculation
function deposit(uint256 assets) external returns (uint256 shares) {
    if (totalSupply == 0) {
        shares = assets;  // @audit First depositor sets the ratio!
    } else {
        shares = assets * totalSupply / totalAssets;
    }
}

Attack Flow (Inflation Attack):

1. Deposit 1 wei → get 1 share
2. Donate 1,000,000 tokens directly to vault (not via deposit)
3. Now: totalAssets = 1,000,001, totalSupply = 1
4. Victim deposits 999,999 → shares = 999,999 * 1 / 1,000,001 = 0
5. Victim gets 0 shares, loses entire deposit
6. Attacker redeems 1 share → gets everything

Search Queries:

Grep("totalSupply.*==.*0|totalSupply\\(\\).*==.*0", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("balanceOf\\(address\\(this\\)\\)", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("ERC4626|vault|shares", glob="**/*.sol")

Verification Questions:

• What happens when totalSupply = 0?
• Is there virtual shares/assets offset?
• Is there minimum deposit requirement?
• Can assets be donated without minting shares?

Pattern 3: Unchecked Return Values

Root Cause: Silent Failure Assumption

// VULNERABLE: USDT returns false instead of reverting
IERC20(token).transfer(recipient, amount);  // @audit Return not checked!
// If transfer fails, execution continues with wrong state

// SECURE: Use SafeERC20
SafeERC20.safeTransfer(IERC20(token), recipient, amount);

Search Queries:

Grep("\\.transfer\\(|\\.transferFrom\\(", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("safeTransfer|SafeERC20", glob="**/*.sol")

Pattern 4: Integer Overflow in Unchecked Blocks

Root Cause: Bypassing Solidity 0.8+ Safety

// VULNERABLE: Intentional unchecked can overflow
unchecked {
    balance += amount;  // @audit Can wrap to 0 if balance + amount > MAX
    counter--;          // @audit Can wrap to MAX if counter = 0
}

Search Queries:

Grep("unchecked\\s*\\{", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("assembly\\s*\\{", glob="**/*.sol")

Verification Questions:

• Why is unchecked used here?
• Can inputs cause overflow/underflow?
• Is the unchecked block necessary?

Pattern 5: Missing Slippage Protection

Root Cause: No Minimum Output Enforcement

// VULNERABLE: User accepts any output
function swap(uint256 amountIn) external {
    uint256 amountOut = calculateOutput(amountIn);
    token.transfer(msg.sender, amountOut);  // @audit No minimum check!
}

// SECURE: Enforce minimum
function swap(uint256 amountIn, uint256 minAmountOut) external {
    uint256 amountOut = calculateOutput(amountIn);
    require(amountOut >= minAmountOut, "Slippage");
    token.transfer(msg.sender, amountOut);
}

Search Queries:

Grep("amountOutMin|minAmountOut|minOut|slippage", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("swap|exchange|trade", glob="**/*.sol")

Pattern 6: Missing Zero/Address Validation

Root Cause: Missing Input Validation

// VULNERABLE: Zero address bricks contract
function setAdmin(address newAdmin) external onlyOwner {
    admin = newAdmin;  // @audit address(0) = no admin forever
}

// VULNERABLE: Division by zero
function distribute(uint256 total, uint256 count) external {
    uint256 each = total / count;  // @audit count = 0 → revert
}

// VULNERABLE: Zero amount wastes gas or causes issues
function deposit(uint256 amount) external {
    // @audit amount = 0 → user gets 0 shares, wasted gas
}

Search Queries:

Grep("address.*=|= address", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("require.*!=.*0|require.*>.*0", glob="**/*.sol")

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Edge Case Testing Matrix

For EVERY value-handling function:

Edge Case	Test Value	Common Bug	What to Check
Zero	0	Division by zero, empty transfer	Does it revert or return 0?
One	1	Rounds to zero, off-by-one	Minimum meaningful input?
Max	type(uint256).max	Overflow, gas exhaustion	Does unchecked wrap?
First user	Empty state	Ratio manipulation	Who sets initial ratio?
Last user	Only remaining	Stuck funds, dust	Can final user withdraw all?
Boundary	Just above/below limit	Off-by-one, < vs <=	Fencepost errors?

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Invariant Verification Checklist

Invariant	How to Verify	Common Violation
totalSupply == sum(balances)	Trace all mint/burn	Donation attack
totalAssets >= totalDebt	Check after each action	Flash loan attack
shares * pricePerShare >= deposit	Rounding check	Precision loss
sum(rewards) <= rewardPool	Trace all claims	Over-distribution

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Search Query Reference

# Find arithmetic operations
Grep("/.*\\*|\\*/", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("mulDiv|wadMul|rayMul|FullMath", glob="**/*.sol")

# Find potential overflow
Grep("unchecked\\s*\\{", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("assembly\\s*\\{", glob="**/*.sol")

# Find share calculations
Grep("totalSupply|totalAssets|pricePerShare", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("ERC4626|vault|shares", glob="**/*.sol")

# Find missing checks
Grep("\\.transfer\\(|\\.transferFrom\\(", glob="**/*.sol")
Grep("require.*!=|require.*>", glob="**/*.sol")

# Find slippage
Grep("amountOutMin|minAmount|slippage", glob="**/*.sol")

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Rationalization Table (Reject These Excuses)

Excuse	Attacker's Reality
"It's just rounding"	Bunni lost $2.4M-$8.3M to rounding. Repeated calls accumulate.
"Users won't send dust"	Attackers absolutely will. Dust inputs are the exploit.
"Math is too complex"	MEV bots automate arbitrarily complex calculations.
"First depositor is trusted"	First depositor attack is #1 vault exploit in 2025.
"Frontend validates"	On-chain must be secure standalone.
"This edge case is unlikely"	Every edge case is an attacker's opportunity.
"Solidity 0.8 prevents overflow"	Unchecked blocks and assembly bypass this.