> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://reports.immunefi.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://reports.immunefi.com/alchemix/31448-sc-medium-bypassing-the-governances-proposal-threshold-to....md).

# 31448 - \[SC - Medium] Bypassing the Governances proposal threshold to...

Submitted on May 19th 2024 at 13:27:32 UTC by @infosec\_us\_team for [Boost | Alchemix](https://immunefi.com/bounty/alchemix-boost/)

Report ID: #31448

Report type: Smart Contract

Report severity: Medium

Target: <https://github.com/alchemix-finance/alchemix-v2-dao/blob/main/src/AlchemixGovernor.sol>

Impacts:

* Griefing (e.g. no profit motive for an attacker, but damage to the users or the protocol)

## Description

## Details

The `proposalThreshold()` is the number of votes required for a voter to become a proposer.

```javascript
    /**
     * @dev Part of the Governor Bravo's interface: _"The number of votes required in order for a voter to become a proposer"_.
     */
    function proposalThreshold() public view override(L2Governor) returns (uint256) {
        return (token.getPastTotalSupply(block.timestamp) * proposalNumerator) / PROPOSAL_DENOMINATOR;
    }
```

> Link to code snippet: <https://github.com/alchemix-finance/alchemix-v2-dao/blob/main/src/AlchemixGovernor.sol#L42-L47>

The threshold is calculated based on the total supply of veALCX.

Therefore, after the `VotingEscrow.sol` smart contract is deployed, and before anyone creates a lock by calling `VotingEscrow.createLock(...)`, the `proposalThreshold()` *is equal to 0* and *anybody* can spam any amount of malicious proposals in `AlchemixGovernor` with 0 voting power (not owning any veALCX at all).

Alchemix's team can manually cancel a malicious proposal, preventing this attack vector from becoming a critical vulnerability.

We are submitting it as griefing, as their team has to spend gas canceling all the malicious proposals.

After we mentioned this flag in a Discord thread, *Ov3rkoalafied* from Alchemix's team commented:

> Agreed, any proposal can be canceled instantly. It is griefing to the extent that they have to spend gas to create 'em and we'd have to spend gas to cancel 'em.

## Impact Details

A Griefing attack with no profit motive.

## Proof of Concept

In the "AlchemixGovernorTest.sol" smart contract go to the function "setUp()" and comment the two calls to "createVeAlcx(...)", to simulate that nobody has yet deposited (akka. total supply is 0).

Then include this test and run it with foundry - it will not revert.

```javascript
function testBypassProposalThreshold() public {
    address random_happy_user = address(0x123);
    hevm.startPrank(random_happy_user);

    (address[] memory t, uint256[] memory v, bytes[] memory c, string memory d) = craftTestProposal();
    governor.propose(t, v, c, d, MAINNET);

    hevm.stopPrank();
}
```


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://reports.immunefi.com/alchemix/31448-sc-medium-bypassing-the-governances-proposal-threshold-to....md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.