Auditing Smart Contracts and Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

Course Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of smart contracts and DeFi protocols.
• Learn how to identify and assess security vulnerabilities in smart contracts.
• Gain practical skills in performing smart contract audits.
• Develop an understanding of the best practices for securing DeFi applications.

Introduction to Smart Contracts and DeFi

• Overview of Blockchain and Smart Contracts
  • Basics of blockchain technology
  • Introduction to smart contracts
  • Key features of smart contracts (immutability, automation, trustless execution)
• Introduction to DeFi
  • What is Decentralized Finance (DeFi)?
  • Key components of DeFi: DEXs, lending platforms, stablecoins, and yield farming
  • Importance of smart contracts in DeFi ecosystems
• Smart Contract Development and Platforms
  • Ethereum and other blockchain platforms supporting smart contracts
  • Overview of Solidity and development tools (e.g., Remix, Truffle)

Security Risks in Smart Contracts

• Common Vulnerabilities in Smart Contracts
  • Reentrancy attacks
  • Integer overflow/underflow
  • Front-running attacks
  • Time dependency and Oracle manipulation
• DeFi-Specific Risks
  • Flash loan attacks
  • Price oracle manipulation
  • Liquidity pool vulnerabilities
• Case Studies
  • Analysis of past smart contract vulnerabilities and DeFi protocol hacks

Smart Contract Auditing Techniques

• Audit Methodology
  • Manual review of smart contract code
  • Automated tools for auditing (e.g., MythX, Slither)
  • Gas optimization and efficiency checks
• Testing and Validation
  • Unit testing smart contracts (e.g., using Hardhat or Truffle)
  • Security testing using fuzzing techniques
• Audit Report Preparation
  • Identifying and categorizing vulnerabilities
  • Providing remediation recommendations

Best Practices for Smart Contract Security and Future Trends

• Best Practices for Secure Smart Contract Development
  • Code reviews and security audits
  • Secure coding guidelines for Solidity
  • Using well-known libraries and frameworks
• Security Standards and Frameworks
  • ERC-20, ERC-721, and other standards for secure token contracts
  • DeFi security frameworks (e.g., OpenZeppelin)
• Emerging Trends and Future of DeFi Audits
  • Decentralized oracles and security improvements
  • Evolution of DeFi and smart contract auditing techniques
  • Ongoing challenges and innovations in smart contract security

DATE:
1ST BATCH: 8th – 11th Apr,, 2025
2ND BATCH: 21st – 24th Oct, 2025