Aerodrome Under Siege: How to Stay Safe After the Latest ‘Front-End’ Attack
Aerodrome Finance Sounds Alarm Over Front-End Compromise
Aerodrome Finance, a premier decentralized exchange (DEX) on Coinbase’s Base network boasting over $400 million in total value locked (TVL), has issued an urgent security alert. The protocol was targeted in a sophisticated front-end attack late Friday, prompting its team to warn users to immediately cease using its main web domains.
This incident highlights a persistent vulnerability in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, where even protocols with secure underlying smart contracts can be targeted through their centralized web interfaces. Here’s what happened, and more importantly, what you need to do to protect your assets.
What is a DNS Hijacking Attack?
The attack on Aerodrome appears to be a classic case of DNS hijacking. In simple terms, think of the Domain Name System (DNS) as the internet’s phonebook. It translates human-readable domain names (like aerodrome.finance) into IP addresses that computers use to connect to servers.
In this attack, malicious actors gained control of this ‘phonebook entry’. They rerouted traffic intended for the official Aerodrome website to a convincing, lookalike phishing site under their control. Unsuspecting users visiting this fake site would be prompted to sign wallet transactions, which were actually malicious approvals designed to drain their funds.
Crucially, the core protocol and its smart contracts were not breached. Aerodrome’s on-chain logic, liquidity pools, and treasury funds remain secure. The attack targeted the user-facing layer, not the fundamental infrastructure.
Your 3-Step Safety Checklist: How to Protect Your Funds
If you have interacted with Aerodrome recently, it’s vital to take immediate action. The Aerodrome team has provided clear instructions to ensure user safety.
1. Stop Using Compromised Domains
Immediately avoid accessing the following domains until further notice:
aerodrome.financeaerodrome.box
2. Use the Decentralized Alternative
To continue using the protocol safely, navigate to its decentralized front-end hosted on the Ethereum Name Service (ENS). The official safe link is:
ENS-powered domains are more resistant to traditional DNS hijacking, offering a more secure gateway to DeFi applications.
3. Revoke Token Approvals
As a precautionary measure, it is highly recommended to revoke any recent token approvals you may have signed. If you accidentally interacted with the malicious site, this step can prevent attackers from accessing your funds. Use a trusted tool for this process:
- Visit a token approval checker like Revoke.cash.
- Connect your wallet and carefully review and revoke any suspicious or overly permissive approvals related to your recent activity.
A Recurring Threat and the Market’s Reaction
This is not the first time Aerodrome has faced such a threat. The protocol experienced two similar front-end attacks in late 2023, which unfortunately led to user losses totaling around $300,000. This pattern underscores the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between DeFi protocols and attackers targeting web infrastructure.
The timing of this latest incident is notable, coming just days after Aerodrome announced a major merger with Velodrome. This strategic move aims to unify liquidity across the Base and Optimism networks under a new, consolidated “Aero” ecosystem.
Despite the security scare, the market’s reaction has been surprisingly muted. The price of the AERO token has remained stable, trading around $0.67 and even posting a slight 2% gain in the 24 hours following the attack. This resilience suggests that investors understand the distinction between a front-end exploit and a core protocol breach, maintaining confidence in the project’s long-term vision.
Investigation Ongoing
The Aerodrome team is actively investigating the incident and has publicly reached out to their domain provider, My.box, to address the potential system exploit. Users are encouraged to follow Aerodrome’s official X (formerly Twitter) account for real-time updates.
This event serves as a stark reminder for all DeFi users: always be vigilant. Double-check domain names, be skeptical of unexpected transaction requests, and utilize tools like Revoke.cash to maintain wallet hygiene. In the world of Web3, security is a shared responsibility.
