BNB Chain has reminded users about its Red Alarm security tool while asking BSC-Reth node operators to install an urgent software update to fix a blockchain calculation bug.
Summary
- BNB Chain is promoting its Red Alarm security tool, which was first introduced in 2022.
- The DappBay service helps users identify risky applications and check smart contracts before making transactions.
- BSC-Reth operators on both mainnet and testnet have been asked to install version v0.1.4-hotfix and restart their nodes.
- The update fixes an error that could cause incorrect blockchain state-root calculations.
- BNB Chain said the issue does not affect opBNB and that the risk to BSC-Reth was limited.
On November 7, BNB Chain directed users to its DappBay Red Alarm page, which identifies decentralized applications and smart contracts that may carry security risks. This reminder came after a separate security update on November 6, when node operators were told to install version v0.1.4-hotfix and restart their software.
The two updates serve different purposes. Red Alarm helps wallet users check applications before connecting or making transactions, while the Reth update fixes software used by certain network operators to process and verify blockchain data. BNB Chain did not say the two updates were connected to the same security incident.
Red Alarm Helps Users Identify Risky Applications
The DappBay Red Alarm service provides a list of potentially dangerous projects and smart contracts. It also allows users to scan smart contracts and wallet addresses before interacting with them.
Users can search projects by category, blockchain, type of risk, and listing date. Some warnings involve project websites that are no longer working, which could mean the project has shut down. Other warnings identify possible Ponzi schemes or smart contract features that could put users’ funds at risk.
BNB Chain said protecting users requires continuous work across the crypto industry. It explained that Red Alarm helps identify potentially dangerous applications and contracts so users can make better decisions before investing or making transactions.
The security tool was first introduced in July 2022. By August that year, BNB Chain reported that it had scanned more than 3,300 smart contracts and identified over 50 projects with potential risks.
However, the platform does not guarantee that every application outside its warning list is safe. Users are still advised to do their own research before trusting a project.
BSC-Reth Operators Asked to Install Security Update
While promoting Red Alarm, BNB Chain also issued an important update for operators using its BSC-Reth software.
In its November 6 release, the network asked operators to install version v0.1.4-hotfix as soon as possible and restart their nodes. The update applies to both mainnet and testnet.
The warning is mainly aimed at validators, block builders, full-node operators, and sentry operators rather than ordinary wallet users.
According to the release notes, the update fixes a bug that could cause the software to calculate an incorrect state root under certain conditions. A state root is a digital record of blockchain account balances, smart contract data, and other network information. Nodes use it to make sure they agree on the same blockchain data.
BNB Chain said the fix does not require a database migration or another hard fork. Operators only need to install the updated software and restart their nodes.
BNB Chain Says opBNB Is Not Affected
BNB Chain had already warned about the software issue on November 6, but said its impact on BSC-Reth was limited. The network also clarified that opBNB does not use op-reth, meaning it is not affected by this particular issue.
The problem is related to blockchain software, not the Red Alarm security warning system.
The latest BSC-Reth update also comes after BNB Chain announced another major network upgrade called Jenner, scheduled for December 8, 2026, at 02:30 UTC.
The Jenner hard fork will introduce several changes, including a Payment Lane feature that reserves 5% of each block’s gas capacity for eligible payments. This is designed to help approved transactions get block space even when the network is busy with other activity.