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Security48k · #4624

zeroize-audit

Checks if sensitive data in C/C++/Rust code is properly erased. It helps prevent leaks of important information like passwords.

What it does

This tool checks your programming code (C, C++, Rust) to ensure sensitive information like passwords or keys are completely erased after use. It looks for flaws where this data might leak or not be removed properly, even when the compiler tries to optimize the code.

When to use it

  • ✓When reviewing code that handles sensitive data (passwords, keys, etc.).
  • ✓To verify that sensitive data cleanup is done securely in critical programs.
  • ✓To audit cryptographic implementations and authentication systems.

Example of what to ask your AI

“Check my C++ code for sensitive data leaks and ensure passwords are wiped correctly.”

Want more? Open the sections below.

How to use

The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.

Skill link

https://github.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/blob/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/zeroize-audit/SKILL.md

Ready-to-paste message

Use this skill to help me: https://github.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/blob/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/zeroize-audit/SKILL.md Read the SKILL.md file at that link and follow its instructions for my task.
How it works

The tool analyzes the code at different levels, including machine code (assembly), to see exactly how sensitive data is handled and if it's erased. It compares the code with and without optimizations to find issues that only appear in faster versions.

Installation

Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.

In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:

npx skills add sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills --skill zeroize-audit

Or download just the file:

curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/zeroize-audit/SKILL.md -o SKILL.md
Technical content (original SKILL.md)

Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.

Supporting material availability

This catalog copy contains the inline guidance below, but does not include the following supporting paths. They are external prerequisites, not bundled files:

Ask for the original supporting material or an existing installation before using a step that depends on these paths; this catalog does not identify a verified download source for them. Resolve each path relative to that installation, inspect its contents, and verify any applicable license and execution prerequisites. Do not run a command or claim a referenced procedure was followed until its required file exists. Do not fabricate the missing scripts or treat an unrelated file with the same name as equivalent. Independent steps fully documented here can proceed within the user’s authorized scope; report any dependent step as unavailable.

⚠️ AUTHORIZED USE ONLY This skill is for educational purposes or authorized security assessments only. You must have explicit, written permission from the system owner before using this tool. Misuse of this tool is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Mandatory confirmation gate Before running any command that probes, exploits, changes, persists on, extracts data from, or attempts credential access against a target:

  1. Ask the user to state the exact target URL, IP, account, or resource.
  2. Ask the user to confirm written authorization and the permitted scope.
  3. Show the exact command(s) and explain their expected effect.
  4. Wait for explicit confirmation in the current conversation.

Without that confirmation, remain read-only and provide defensive guidance only. Prefer a sandbox, disposable VM, or controlled lab.

zeroize-audit — Claude Skill

When to Use

  • Auditing cryptographic implementations (keys, seeds, nonces, secrets)
  • Reviewing authentication systems (passwords, tokens, session data)
  • Analyzing code that handles PII or sensitive credentials
  • Verifying secure cleanup in security-critical codebases
  • Investigating memory safety of sensitive data handling

When NOT to Use

  • General code review without security focus
  • Performance optimization (unless related to secure wiping)
  • Refactoring tasks not related to sensitive data
  • Code without identifiable secrets or sensitive values

Purpose

Detect missing zeroization of sensitive data in source code and identify zeroization that is removed or weakened by compiler optimizations (e.g., dead-store elimination), with mandatory LLVM IR/asm evidence. Capabilities include:

  • Assembly-level analysis for register spills and stack retention
  • Data-flow tracking for secret copies
  • Heap allocator security warnings
  • Semantic IR analysis for loop unrolling and SSA form
  • Control-flow graph analysis for path coverage verification
  • Runtime validation test generation

Scope

  • Read-only against the target codebase (does not modify audited code; writes analysis artifacts to a temporary working directory).
  • Produces a structured report (JSON).
  • Requires valid build context (compile_commands.json) and compilable translation units.
  • "Optimized away" findings only allowed with compiler evidence (IR/asm diff).

Inputs

See {baseDir}/schemas/input.json for the full schema. Key fields:

Field Required Default Description
path yes — Repo root
compile_db no null Path to compile_commands.json for C/C++ analysis. Required if cargo_manifest is not set.
cargo_manifest no null Path to Cargo.toml for Rust crate analysis. Required if compile_db is not set.
config no — YAML defining heuristics and approved wipes
opt_levels no ["O0","O1","O2"] Optimization levels for IR comparison. O1 is the diagnostic level: if a wipe disappears at O1 it is simple DSE; O2 catches more aggressive eliminations.
languages no ["c","cpp","rust"] Languages to analyze
max_tus no — Limit on translation units processed from compile DB
mcp_mode no prefer off, prefer, or require — controls Serena MCP usage
mcp_required_for_advanced no true Downgrade SECRET_COPY, MISSING_ON_ERROR_PATH, and NOT_DOMINATING_EXITS to needs_review when MCP is unavailable
mcp_timeout_ms no — Timeout budget for MCP semantic queries

…

FAQ

What is 'zeroization'?

Zeroization is the act of erasing sensitive data by overwriting it with zeros or other harmless values, ensuring it cannot be recovered.

Why might the compiler remove 'zeroization'?

Compilers optimize code to make it faster. If the compiler determines the erased data is no longer needed, it might remove the wiping instruction (zeroization) to save processing time, which can be a security risk.

Do I need permission to use this tool?

Yes, this tool is for educational purposes or authorized security assessments only. You must have explicit, written permission from the system owner before using it.

Details

Original description by the author

Detects missing zeroization of sensitive data in source code and identifies zeroization removed by compiler optimizations, with assembly-level analysis, and control-flow verification. Use for auditing C/C++/Rust code handling secrets, keys, passwords, or other sensitive data.

repo: sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills

Popularity

GitHub stars
48k
Ranking position
#4624
License
MIT
Updated
10/15/2026

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