Here’s what’s missing and how to elevate your audits beyond the basics:

1⃣Audit the Business Logic, Not Just the Code

A lending protocol might have mathematically correct code but flawed incentives (e.g., borrow rates that can be manipulated to drain reserves).

• Model token flows and game theory (e.g., "What if 80% of users exit simultaneously?").

• Use tools like @gauntlet_xyz to simulate stress scenarios.

2⃣ Upgradeable Contracts & Proxy Pitfalls

Storage collisions between implementation versions.

• Uninitialized proxies (e.g., Parity Wallet hack).

• Admin key centralization (e.g., Compound’s GovernorBravo delay exploit).

• Use Echidna to test upgrade paths.

• Verify initialize functions are protected and idempotent.

3⃣Cross-Chain & Layer 2 Blind Spots

What’s Missing: Contracts interacting with bridges or L2s (e.g., Arbitrum, Optimism) face unique risks.

• Message validation gaps (e.g., Wormhole’s $325M hack).

• Replay attacks across chains.

• Incorrect fee assumptions (e.g., L2 gas vs. L1 gas).

• Audit cross-chain call handlers (e.g., processMessageFromL1).

• Test with tools like @hyperlane or @LayerZero_Core for message integrity.

4⃣Formal Verification & Symbolic Execution

Tools to Add:

• @CertoraInc : Prove invariants (e.g., "No user can withdraw more than they deposited").

• Halmos: Symbolic execution for edge-case discovery.
Manticore: Explore all execution paths (e.g., for integer overflow).

Example: Use Certora to verify that a DEX’s swap function never lets reserves fall below a threshold.

5⃣ Historical Context & Attack Catalogs

Leveraging past exploits to guide audits.

• Study https://t.co/l3Q4YLLoZj and @immunefi reports for patterns (e.g., price oracle manipulation).

• Create a checklist of historical vulnerabilities (e.g., Nomad Bridge’s trusted initialization).

6⃣ Gas Optimization Risks

Optimizations can introduce vulnerabilities.

• Using delegatecall for gas savings might inadvertently expose storage (e.g., @SushiSwap's MasterContract exploit).

• Review low-level calls (call, delegatecall) for context assumptions.

• Test gas-heavy functions with EthGasStation to spot anomalies.

7⃣Governance & Multisig Threats

Governance mechanisms are prime targets.

• Proposal spam (e.g., @Uniswap's Governor Bravo delays).

• Multisig key leakage (e.g., @harmonyprotocol's Horizon Bridge hack).

• Audit timelocks, quorum thresholds, and veto mechanisms.

• Verify multisig signer rotation and cold storage practices.

8⃣ Third-Party Integration Risks

External dependencies (e.g., oracles, registries) are often trusted blindly.

• Audit @chainlink's latestAnswer staleness checks.

• Verify Uniswap V3 TWAPs are time-weighted correctly.

9⃣ Cognitive Bias Mitigation

Auditors are prone to biases like confirmation bias or anchoring.

• Use red-team/blue-team exercises: One auditor attacks, another defends.

• Rotate auditors mid-review to reset assumptions.

🔟 Compliance & Regulatory Traps

The code might comply with specs but violate regulations (e.g., OFAC sanctions).

• Check for view functions exposing user data (privacy risks).

• Verify blacklist/whitelist mechanics (e.g., @TornadoCash compliance fallout).