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instruction-introspection

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Trigger Pattern INSTRUCTION_INTROSPECTION flag detected (load_instruction_at/Sysvar1nstructions) - Inject Into Breadth agents, depth agents

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/PlamenTSV/plamen/blob/HEAD/agents/skills/solana/instruction-introspection/SKILL.md

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INSTRUCTION_INTROSPECTION Skill

Trigger Pattern: INSTRUCTION_INTROSPECTION flag detected (load_instruction_at/Sysvar1nstructions) Inject Into: Breadth agents, depth agents Finding prefix: [II-N] Rules referenced: S10, S8, R15

For every use of instruction introspection in the Solana program:

1. Introspection Usage Inventory

List all instruction introspection usage:

#LocationFunction UsedPurposeInstructions Sysvar Source
1{file:line}load_instruction_at_checked / load_instruction_at / get_instruction_relative{what it checks}{account source}

2. Sysvar Address Validation (Wormhole Pattern - CRITICAL)

For each Instructions sysvar account:

UsageSysvar SourceAddress Validated?Validation Method
{usage}{account param name}YES/NO{hardcoded check / Anchor constraint / NONE}

Attack pattern (sysvar address spoofing): If Instructions sysvar address is NOT validated, attacker passes a fake account containing crafted "instruction" data. The introspection reads attacker-controlled data instead of real transaction instructions. Defense: require!(sysvar_account.key() == sysvar::instructions::ID) or use Anchor #[account(address = sysvar::instructions::ID)].

3. Checked Function Usage

For each load_instruction_at* call:

CallUses _checked Variant?Risk if Unchecked
{call}YES/NO{if NO: deprecated function, potential ABI issues}

Rule: Always use load_instruction_at_checked (validates the sysvar account) over the deprecated load_instruction_at (does not validate).

4. Instruction Sequence Validation

For flash loan and atomic operation patterns:

PatternBorrow Instruction Checked?Repay Instruction Checked?Gap Between Checks?
Flash loan repay checkYES/NOYES/NO{can attacker insert instructions between borrow and repay?}

Attack (marginfi pattern): Protocol checks that a repay instruction exists in the transaction but doesn't verify that no state-modifying instructions execute BETWEEN the borrow and repay. Attacker inserts exploit instructions in the gap. Defense: Verify the COMPLETE instruction sequence, not just the presence of specific instructions.

5. State Change Coverage

For each introspection-based check:

CheckState Changes Between Checked InstructionsAll Changes Accounted?Gap?
{check}{list possible state changes}YES/NO{if NO: what's unaccounted}

Pattern: Introspection checks often verify instruction A and instruction B exist, but ignore what happens in between. Any state changes between A and B can be exploited.

6. Program ID Verification

For each instruction inspected via introspection:

Inspected InstructionProgram ID Checked?Expected ProgramSpoofable?
{instruction}YES/NO{expected}{if NO: attacker deploys mimicking program}

Attack: Introspection check verifies an instruction with matching function signature exists, but doesn't verify it belongs to the expected program. Attacker deploys a program with the same instruction signature that does nothing.

Finding Template

**ID**: [II-N]
**Severity**: [sysvar spoofing = Critical, sequence gap = High, missing program check = Medium]
**Step Execution**: ✓1,2,3,4,5,6 | ✗(reasons) | ?(uncertain)
**Rules Applied**: [S10:✓, S8:✓/✗, R15:✓/✗]
**Location**: program/src/{file}.rs:LineN
**Title**: [Introspection issue] in [instruction] enables [attack]
**Description**: [Specific introspection vulnerability with sequence analysis]
**Impact**: [Flash loan bypass / fake instruction acceptance / state manipulation]

Step Execution Checklist (MANDATORY)

SectionRequiredCompleted?Notes
1. Introspection Usage InventoryYES✓/✗/?For every introspection use
2. Sysvar Address ValidationYES✓/✗/?CRITICAL - sysvar address spoofing
3. Checked Function UsageYES✓/✗/?_checked vs deprecated
4. Instruction Sequence ValidationIF flash loan / atomic pattern✓/✗(N/A)/?Gap between checks
5. State Change CoverageYES✓/✗/?Between checked instructions
6. Program ID VerificationYES✓/✗/?For every inspected instruction