Terra resumes operations after $5M security breach triggers Astroport token plunge Terra resumes operations after $5M security breach triggers Astroport token plunge
Security experts said Astroport was a "collateral damage" of the exploit.
2 min read
Updated: Jul. 31, 2024 at 10:30 am UTC
Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
The Terra blockchain has resumed normal operations after the network implemented a temporary halt to stop a recent exploit.
Earlier today, Terra reported a security breach that led to the theft of various assets, including USDC and Astroport tokens.
The attack
The exploit targeted a vulnerability in IBC-hooks, a third-party add-on for Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) that supports cross-chain contract interactions and token transfers. Although Terra patched the issue in April, the fix was unintentionally reversed in a June update.
Cyvers Alert, a Web3 security firm, explained that the attacker exploited a reentrancy vulnerability in the timeout callback of IBC hooks.
The firm revealed that the attacker used this vulnerability to steal assets worth approximately $5 million. This includes 60 million ASTRO valued at around $1 million, 3.5 million USDC, 500,000 USDT, and 2.7 BTC, roughly $178,000 at current rates.
In response, the network paused block production at block height 11,430,400 to implement an emergency patch.
The vulnerability has been fixed as of press time, and the network Validators are updating their nodes to prevent similar exploits. Terra added:
“Validators holding over 67% of the voting power on Terra have upgraded their nodes to prevent the exploit from recurring. More validators are expected to upgrade soon.”
Astroport token declines
Despite Terra’s recovery efforts, Astroport’s ASTRO token has plunged by 62% in the past 24 hours, trading at $0.01775, according to CryptoSlate’s data.
The Cosmos-based liquidity protocol explained that the IBC vulnerability allowed the attacker to mint several tokens on the Terra chain, negatively impacting the asset’s price. It stated:
“The Astroport contributors are working with the other chains and Cosmos builders to determine what measures can be taken. We will keep you updated as we learn more.”
Meanwhile, security experts have also emphasized that Astroport wasn’t exploited, and its token “became collateral damage because it’s the only Terra token that has meaningful liquidity for stealing.”
Mentioned in this article
Author 
Oluwapelumi Adejumo
Oluwapelumi values Bitcoin's potential. He imparts insights on a range of topics like DeFi, hacks, mining and culture, underlining transformative power.
Latest Terra Stories
Featured Story
Advertise Here
In this article
Terra is a blockchain protocol that uses fiat-pegged stablecoins to power price-stable global payments systems.
USD Coin
$0.99960
USD Coin (USDC) is a stablecoin fully backed by the US dollar and developed by the CENTRE consortium.
Tether
$0.99979
Launched in 2014, Tether is a blockchain-enabled platform designed to facilitate the use of fiat currencies in a digital manner.
Terraform Labs
Terraform Labs is a startup that created Terra, a blockchain protocol and payment platform used for algorithmic stablecoins.