Stellar (XLM) Network Incident: Post-Mortem Analysis of State Archival Issue
Felix Pinkston Nov 07, 2025 21:20
Stellar (XLM) Development Foundation addresses a critical network incident involving Soroban Live State Prioritization, detailing the root cause and corrective measures.
The Stellar (XLM) Development Foundation (SDF) has released a comprehensive post-mortem report detailing a significant network incident that occurred on October 9, 2025, involving the newly implemented Soroban Live State Prioritization feature. This feature, part of the Whisk Protocol 23 (P23), was designed to enhance data handling and storage within the Stellar network.
Incident Overview
The issue, which went undetected for 35 days, began affecting the network as early as September 4, 2025. It was discovered that a bug within the Soroban feature was corrupting certain data entries. The SDF moved swiftly to collaborate with affected parties and network validators to manage and ultimately resolve the issue by October 23, 2025.
Extent of Data Corruption
In total, 478 data entries were initially corrupted due to the bug. However, according to the SDF, most of these entries were successfully repaired to their intended values. Despite these efforts, 84 data entries remained corrupted, necessitating further mitigation strategies by involved protocols and issuers.
Response and Resolution
Upon identifying the issue, the SDF prioritized containment, achieving significant progress by October 10, 2025. The foundation's technical team worked diligently to address the root cause, ensuring that similar bugs are prevented in the future. The incident has provided valuable insights into the network's vulnerabilities, prompting the SDF to implement enhanced monitoring and testing protocols.
Lessons Learned
This incident underscores the importance of rigorous testing and monitoring in blockchain technology. The SDF's proactive approach in addressing the issue and its transparent communication with stakeholders have been critical in maintaining trust and integrity within the Stellar ecosystem.
For more detailed information, interested parties can access the full post-mortem report available on the Stellar website.
Image source: Shutterstock.jpg)