alknet/tasks/vault/cache-zeroization-test.md

id, name, status, depends_on, scope, risk, impact, level

id	name	status	depends_on	scope	risk	impact	level
vault/cache-zeroization-test	Verify and test that HashMap::clear() drops CachedKey values triggering zeroization	pending		single	low	isolated	implementation

Description

Fix drift item #6: KeyCache::clear() removes entries and relies on CachedKey's Drop impl for zeroization. The spec says to verify that HashMap::clear() actually drops the values (it does, but this is worth a test). This task adds a test that proves zeroization happens on cache eviction and clear.

Background

CachedKey derives Zeroize and ZeroizeOnDrop (via the DerivedKey it holds, which is #[zeroize(drop)]). When the cache evicts an entry (LRU or TTL) or clear() is called, the CachedKey is dropped, which triggers ZeroizeOnDrop — the private key bytes are zeroized before deallocation.

HashMap::clear() drops all values, which triggers their Drop impls. This is standard Rust behavior, but the security-critical nature of key material warrants an explicit test.

What to add

A test in cache.rs (or tests/) that:

1. Inserts a CachedKey with a known private key into the cache
2. Verifies the key is present
3. Calls clear() (or evicts via LRU/TTL)
4. Verifies the CachedKey was dropped and zeroized

Testing zeroization directly is tricky because the memory is freed — you can't easily inspect it after drop. A practical approach:

• Option A: Use a custom type with a Drop impl that sets a flag (e.g., an Arc<AtomicBool>) when zeroized. Insert it into the cache, clear, verify the flag is set. This tests the drop path, not the zeroize path directly, but confirms clear() drops values.
• Option B: Test the LRU eviction path — fill the cache to max_entries, insert one more, verify the LRU entry was evicted (dropped).
• Option C: Test that lock() calls cache.clear() and the cache is empty afterward (integration test via VaultServiceHandle).

At minimum, implement Option B and C. Option A is a bonus if feasible without over-engineering the test type.

Scope

This task touches cache.rs (test additions) and possibly tests/. It does not depend on the irpc removal task (drift #4) because cache.rs is a separate file. It can run in parallel with drift #4.

Acceptance Criteria

• Test: LRU eviction drops the evicted CachedKey (cache exceeds max_entries, oldest evicted)
• Test: lock() clears the cache (verify cache is empty after lock)
• Test: TTL expiry evicts entries (set short TTL, wait, verify entry gone)
• Test: clear() removes all entries (verify empty after clear)
• cargo test succeeds
• cargo clippy succeeds with no warnings

References

• docs/architecture/crates/vault/README.md — Known Source Drift table item #6
• docs/architecture/crates/vault/service.md — Cache section, Security Constraints
• docs/architecture/crates/vault/encryption.md — Security Constraints

Notes

HashMap::clear() does drop values, triggering their Drop impls. This is standard Rust behavior, but key material is security-critical enough to warrant an explicit test. This task touches only cache.rs and can run in parallel with the irpc removal task (drift #4).

Summary

To be filled on completion