Worldcoin’s Orb Software Passes Third-Party Audit, No Vulnerabilities Found

The auditors allegedly declared that in order for a hacker to seize control of a user's iris code, they would have to possess a trusted Worldcoin certificate.

Worldcoin’s Orb software found secure in Trail of Bits audit

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Worldcoin, the human identity project, has recently undergone a third-party audit of its Orb software. According to a draft report from the development team, the audit was performed by Trail of Bits, a well-respected cybersecurity firm. The report states that no vulnerabilities were found that directly exploit the project’s goals. The full Trail of Bits report is set to be published on March 14, as confirmed by a statement from Worldcoin.

Worldcoin aims to provide a way for individuals to verify their humanity by registering through various methods, such as phone numbers, email addresses, or using an Orb device to scan their iris. Once registered, users receive a unique “World ID” that serves as proof of their human identity. The project was co-founded by Sam Altman, also known for his involvement in ChatGPT developer OpenAI. Altman expressed concerns about the potential for AI bots to convincingly impersonate humans, which inspired him to create Worldcoin.

Despite the project’s noble intentions, privacy advocates have criticized Worldcoin for the potential risks of leaking users’ iris scans to hackers or governments. If these scans were to be compromised, they could expose all the activities associated with a person’s World ID.

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The Audit Process and Results

According to the Worldcoin report, Trail of Bits began their assessment on August 14, 2023. The auditors were given access to version 3.1.10 of the Orb software, which was intentionally “frozen” on July 8, 2023, for auditing purposes. The report mentions that the current version is 4.0.34.

Over a period of six weeks, the auditors carefully examined the code for potential vulnerabilities. They explored different attack vectors that hackers might exploit to obtain users’ iris scans. In the end, the auditors concluded that they did not discover any vulnerabilities in the Orb’s code that directly undermine the project’s stated goals. They specifically emphasized that attackers cannot obtain a user’s iris code unless they have control of one of the trusted certificates.

In the report, Trail of Bits made two recommendations to enhance the Orb’s security. The first is to strengthen the signup flow configuration to prevent security issues from arising in future updates. The second recommendation suggests replacing the ZBar library, currently used for QR code scanning during signup, with a pure Rust version. The auditors expressed concerns about potential “memory safety” issues in ZBar that could lead to the accidental exposure of configuration data, including the user’s “data custody choice.” Worldcoin promptly implemented both of these recommendations, as noted in the report.

Privacy Concerns and Ongoing Debate

Despite Worldcoin’s successful audit, the debate surrounding its privacy practices continues. On March 6, Spain’s Agency for the Protection of Data issued an injunction against the project, citing the need for an investigation into potential violations of data protection laws. Worldcoin, on the other hand, firmly maintains that it has not breached any laws and accuses the Spanish government of “circumventing EU law” through the issuance of the injunction.

It is crucial for Worldcoin to address these privacy concerns effectively and transparently moving forward. As technology continues to advance and new methods of identity verification emerge, striking a balance between convenience and safeguarding personal data will be paramount. By conducting independent audits and actively implementing recommendations, Worldcoin demonstrates its commitment to improving privacy standards.

Q&A

Q: Is the audit report from Trail of Bits available to the public?

A: The full Trail of Bits audit report is expected to be published on March 14. Worldcoin has confirmed this in an email statement. Keep an eye out for the report to gain more insights into the audit process and its findings.

Q: What is the purpose of Worldcoin’s Orb software?

A: Worldcoin’s Orb software serves as a means for individuals to verify their humanity. It allows users to register through various methods, such as phone numbers, email addresses, or iris scans using an Orb device. Once registered, users receive a unique “World ID” that acts as proof of their human identity.

Q: What were the main concerns raised by privacy advocates regarding Worldcoin?

A: Privacy advocates have expressed concerns about the potential leakage of users’ iris scans. If compromised, these scans could be used to reveal all the activities associated with a person’s World ID. While Worldcoin’s intentions are commendable, ensuring the security and privacy of users’ personal information should be a top priority.

Q: What were the auditors’ recommendations to enhance the Orb’s security?

A: The auditors made two key recommendations. First, they advised Worldcoin to strengthen the configuration of the signup flow to prevent future security issues. Second, they suggested replacing the ZBar library, used for QR code scanning during signup, with a pure Rust version to eliminate potential “memory safety” issues that may lead to data exposure.

Q: What is the ongoing debate surrounding Worldcoin’s privacy practices?

A: On March 6, Spain’s Agency for the Protection of Data issued an injunction against Worldcoin, citing concerns about potential data protection law violations. Worldcoin refutes these claims, stating that it has not violated any laws. It accuses the Spanish government of bypassing EU law with the injunction. The resolution of this debate will be crucial in determining Worldcoin’s future relationship with regulators and the public.

Looking Ahead

While Worldcoin has successfully passed the third-party audit, ensuring continuous improvement and addressing privacy concerns will be vital for its long-term success. The project’s commitment to transparency, security enhancements, and compliance with data protection regulations will be closely watched by both the public and regulators. As identity verification technologies evolve, striking the right balance between convenience and privacy will be an ongoing challenge that Worldcoin, and similar projects, must navigate.

With the increasing digitization and growing focus on identity verification, projects like Worldcoin may play a significant role in shaping the future of secure digital identities. As users demand privacy and regulators seek compliance, Worldcoin’s ability to adapt and address these concerns will be crucial in establishing trust amongst its user base.

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