Timelock Security Review

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Pronunciation

[time-lok si-kyoor-i-tee ruh-vyoo]

Analogy

Think of a timelock security review as inspecting a vault’s time-delay lock mechanism to confirm it only opens after the set interval and can’t be overridden.

Definition

An in-depth assessment of timelock contracts and configurations to ensure scheduled operations cannot be bypassed or misconfigured.

Key Points Intro

Timelock reviews validate delayed mechanisms for governance and upgrades.

Key Points

Schedule integrity: confirms delays match governance rules

Role enforcement: verifies only authorized actors queue and execute

Edge cases: tests around block.timestamp and DST shifts

Bypass prevention: ensures no zero-delay or emergency loopholes

Example

A security firm reviews the Compound GovernorAlpha timelock, testing queuing, cancellation, and flows to prevent immediate proposal enactment.

Technical Deep Dive

Reviewers audit functions managing `queuedTransactions`: ensure `now` comparisons use .timestamp correctly, check that cancellation and require matching parameters, simulate under varying times, and confirm no reentrancy or access-control gaps.

Security Warning

Misconfigured timelocks can allow instant or permanent denial of upgrades.

Caveat

Relies on ’ limited manipulation tolerance; extreme drift can affect delays.

Related Terms

Proxy Pattern

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Glossary

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