zkSync faces Christmas Day outage due to automated safety protocols bug

On December 25, zkSync, the Ethereum scaling network, experienced a significant network outage, leaving users and developers on edge during the holiday season. The incident required the zkSync team’s immediate attention as the network went offline for over five hours.

zkSync’s Christmas setback

At 5:50 UTC, zkSync encountered a disruption, prompting the team to address the situation swiftly. The developers communicated the issue through their official channels, acknowledging a bug within the server had triggered the network’s automated safety protocols. The unexpected crash forced zkSync into a temporary shutdown mode, leaving users unable to access the network’s services.

Root cause analysis and rapid response

Upon investigation, the zkSync team identified the root cause of the problem—a subtle bug related to state updates. While the protocol’s computed state remained accurate, an error emerged in the way the network operator computed it. This discrepancy led to the triggering of automated safety protocols, necessitating a defensive response and causing the prolonged outage.

To rectify the issue, the development team acted promptly, implementing a fix and publishing an updated version of the Node software. Despite the holiday season, the team demonstrated their commitment to zkSync’s stability by resolving the bug and restoring the network to full functionality. The incident serves as a testament to the challenges inherent in maintaining the operational integrity of blockchain networks, especially during periods of increased network activity.

Blockchain network woes in 2023

This outage marks yet another incident in a series of disruptions affecting blockchain networks throughout 2023. Earlier in the year, Solana endured a four-hour outage due to a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. In March, Polygon faced an 11-hour downtime resulting from a bug introduced during a hard fork. Notably, on December 15, Ethereum layer-2 protocol Arbitrum experienced a 78-minute outage caused by an unexpected surge in inscription minting.

Conclusion: zkSync Back on track

Despite the challenges faced on Christmas Day, zkSync’s team successfully addressed the issue, ensuring the network’s prompt return to normal operations. The incident underscores the ongoing efforts required to enhance the resilience and security of blockchain networks, especially in the face of evolving technical challenges. As the blockchain space continues to advance, incidents like these emphasize the importance of robust protocols and rapid response mechanisms to maintain user confidence in decentralized systems.

In conclusion, zkSync’s Christmas Day hiccup serves as a reminder of the inherent complexities in managing blockchain networks, while also highlighting the dedication of development teams to promptly resolve issues and restore normalcy to decentralized ecosystems.

The post zkSync faces Christmas Day outage due to automated safety protocols bug first appeared on Coinfea.