Solana Discreetly Patches a Possible Critical Security Vulnerability: SOL Validator

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Sujha Sundararajan

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Sujha Sundararajan

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Last updated: 

August 8, 2024

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Solana ecosystem players have silently prevented a major security vulnerability on the SOL network, while maintaining confidentiality. Solana contributors and developers were able to patch 70% of stake, before the vulnerability was finally revealed to the public.

According to a Solana Validator Laine, the process stated on Wednesday, August 7, after known members of the Foundation contacted the team about an upcoming critical patch and a hashed message.

“The hash shared in this message was published by multiple prominent members of Anza, Jito and Solana Foundation on Twitter/X, Github and even LinkedIn in order to confirm the veracity of the message,” Laine wrote.

By Thursday, detailed instructions for implementing the patch were distributed to various stakeholders. This resulted in 66.6% of the network’s stake being secured.

“Once 70% was patched the network was ostensibly safe and the existence of the vulnerability and the patch were disclosed in public with a call for all remaining operators to upgrade.”

Later, Solana Labs issued an announcement on Discord, urging all operators to upgrade their systems.

“Core contributors have identified a network security issue that requires an urgent response,” the announcement read. “v1.18.21 with a patch will be available in 30 minutes. Please be prepared to upgrade as soon as the announcement is sent.”

One X user sought answer to why Solana did not disclose the details of the patch on Aug 7.

Laine wrote in response: “Because the patch itself makes the vulnerability clear so an attacked could try reverse engineer the vulnerability and halt the network before a sufficient amount of stake upgraded.”

Solana’s Past Network Glitches

In April, Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko revealed that the bug causing reduced functionality in the blockchain ecosystem, had been “patched.”

Yakovenko noted that bugs like these was more complex than keeping a network active and operational for users. Per data from CryptoManiaks, Solana has witnessed nine blockchain network outages since 2021. The network has suffered 150 hours of downtime.