test(client-auth): update metadata test to reflect frozen-metadata behavior

Three independent failures allowed an offline attacker with DB write access
to sign transactions using a different wallet's private key:
1. evm_wallet had no HMAC envelope — aead_encrypted_id could be swapped silently.
2. AEAD used a static tag as AAD — any valid ciphertext decrypted as any wallet key.
3. No post-decryption check that the derived address matched the requested wallet.

Fix: sign_entity covers (address, aead_encrypted_id) in a single transaction;
CreateNew/Decrypt take caller-provided AAD (wallet address bytes); after decryption
signer.address() is verified against the requested wallet address.

protobufs/operator/vault/unseal.proto

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ enum UnsealResult {
   UNSEAL_RESULT_SUCCESS = 1;
   UNSEAL_RESULT_INVALID_KEY = 2;
   UNSEAL_RESULT_UNBOOTSTRAPPED = 3;
+  UNSEAL_RESULT_LOCKED_OUT = 4;
 }
 
 message Request {

server/Cargo.lock

@@ -771,6 +771,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "proptest",
  "prost-types",
  "rand 0.10.1",
+ "rand_core 0.10.1",
  "rcgen",
  "restructed",
  "rstest",
@@ -6261,18 +6262,18 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "zeroize"
-version = "1.8.2"
+version = "1.9.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "b97154e67e32c85465826e8bcc1c59429aaaf107c1e4a9e53c8d8ccd5eff88d0"
+checksum = "e13c156562582aa81c60cb29407084cdb54c4164760106ab78e6c5b0858cf64e"
 dependencies = [
  "zeroize_derive",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "zeroize_derive"
-version = "1.4.3"
+version = "1.5.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "85a5b4158499876c763cb03bc4e49185d3cccbabb15b33c627f7884f43db852e"
+checksum = "3c50655cbb0fe3fc43170059e702f1ce5e19b84cec58dc87b037a09935c2f328"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2",
  "quote",

server/Cargo.toml

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ mutants = "0.0.4"
 prost = "0.14.3"
 prost-types = { version = "0.14.3", features = ["chrono"] }
 rand = "0.10.1"
+rand_core = "0.10.1"
 rcgen = { version = "0.14.7", features = [ "aws_lc_rs",  "pem", "x509-parser", "zeroize" ], default-features = false }
 rstest = "0.26.1"
 rustls = { version = "0.23.40", features = ["aws-lc-rs", "logging", "prefer-post-quantum", "std"], default-features = false }

server/crates/arbiter-server/Cargo.toml

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ diesel_migrations = { version = "2.3.2", features = ["sqlite"] }
 async-trait.workspace = true
 tokio-stream.workspace = true
 rand.workspace = true
+rand_core.workspace = true
 rcgen.workspace = true
 chrono.workspace = true
 kameo.workspace = true

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/actors/bootstrap.rs

@@ -1,29 +1,48 @@
 use crate::db::{self, DatabasePool, schema};
+use arbiter_crypto::safecell::{SafeCell, SafeCellHandle as _};
 use arbiter_proto::{BOOTSTRAP_PATH, home_path};
 
 use diesel::QueryDsl;
 use diesel_async::RunQueryDsl;
 use kameo::{Actor, messages};
-use rand::{RngExt, distr::Alphanumeric, make_rng, rngs::StdRng};
+use rand::{RngExt, distr::Alphanumeric, rngs::SysRng};
+use rand_core::UnwrapErr;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use subtle::ConstantTimeEq as _;
 use thiserror::Error;
+use tracing::warn;
 
 const TOKEN_LENGTH: usize = 64;
 
-pub async fn generate_token() -> Result<String, std::io::Error> {
+async fn write_token_file(path: &Path, content: &str) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
-    let rng: StdRng = make_rng();
+    tokio::fs::write(path, content.as_bytes()).await?;
 
-    let token = rng.sample_iter(Alphanumeric).take(TOKEN_LENGTH).fold(
+    #[cfg(unix)]
-        String::default(),
+    {
-        |mut accum, char| {
+        use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt as _;
-            accum += char.to_string().as_str();
+        tokio::fs::set_permissions(path, std::fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o600)).await?;
-            accum
+    }
-        },
-    );
 
-    tokio::fs::write(home_path()?.join(BOOTSTRAP_PATH), token.as_str()).await?;
+    Ok(())
+}
 
-    Ok(token)
+async fn generate_token(path: &Path) -> Result<SafeCell<[u8; TOKEN_LENGTH]>, std::io::Error> {
+    let mut cell = SafeCell::new([0u8; TOKEN_LENGTH]);
+    {
+        let mut buf = cell.write();
+        for (slot, b) in buf
+            .iter_mut()
+            .zip(UnwrapErr(SysRng).sample_iter(Alphanumeric))
+        {
+            *slot = b;
+        }
+    }
+
+    let token_str = cell.read_inline(|buf| String::from_utf8_lossy(buf.as_ref()).into_owned());
+
+    write_token_file(path, &token_str).await?;
+
+    Ok(cell)
 }
 
 #[derive(Error, Debug)]
@@ -40,7 +59,8 @@ pub enum Error {
 
 #[derive(Actor)]
 pub struct Bootstrapper {
-    token: Option<String>,
+    token: Option<SafeCell<[u8; TOKEN_LENGTH]>>,
+    token_path: Option<PathBuf>,
 }
 
 impl Bootstrapper {
@@ -54,34 +74,37 @@ impl Bootstrapper {
                 .await?
         };
 
-        let token = if row_count == 0 {
+        let (token, token_path) = if row_count == 0 {
-            let token = generate_token().await?;
+            let path = home_path()?.join(BOOTSTRAP_PATH);
-            Some(token)
+            let token = generate_token(&path).await?;
+            (Some(token), Some(path))
         } else {
-            None
+            (None, None)
         };
 
-        Ok(Self { token })
+        Ok(Self { token, token_path })
+    }
+}
+
+impl Bootstrapper {
+    fn is_correct_token(&mut self, token: &[u8]) -> bool {
+        self.token.as_mut().is_some_and(|expected| {
+            expected.read_inline(|exp| bool::from(exp.as_ref().ct_eq(token)))
+        })
     }
 }
 
 #[messages]
 impl Bootstrapper {
     #[message]
-    pub fn is_correct_token(&self, token: String) -> bool {
+    pub async fn consume_token(&mut self, token: Vec<u8>) -> bool {
-        self.token.as_ref().is_some_and(|expected| {
+        if self.is_correct_token(&token) {
-            let expected_bytes = expected.as_bytes();
-            let token_bytes = token.as_bytes();
-
-            let choice = expected_bytes.ct_eq(token_bytes);
-            bool::from(choice)
-        })
-    }
-
-    #[message]
-    pub fn consume_token(&mut self, token: String) -> bool {
-        if self.is_correct_token(token) {
             self.token = None;
+            if let Some(path) = self.token_path.take()
+                && let Err(e) = tokio::fs::remove_file(&path).await
+            {
+                warn!(error = ?e, path = ?path, "Failed to delete bootstrap token file after consumption");
+            }
             true
         } else {
             false
@@ -92,7 +115,9 @@ impl Bootstrapper {
 #[messages]
 impl Bootstrapper {
     #[message]
-    pub fn get_token(&self) -> Option<String> {
+    pub fn get_token(&mut self) -> Option<String> {
-        self.token.clone()
+        self.token
+            .as_mut()
+            .map(|cell| cell.read_inline(|buf| String::from_utf8_lossy(buf.as_ref()).into_owned()))
     }
 }

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/actors/evm/mod.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use crate::{
     actors::vault::{CreateNew, Decrypt, Vault},
-    crypto::integrity,
+    crypto::integrity::{self, Integrable},
     db::{
         DatabaseError, DatabasePool,
         models::{self},
@@ -25,14 +25,35 @@ use diesel::{
 use diesel_async::RunQueryDsl;
 use kameo::{Actor, actor::ActorRef, messages};
 use rand::{SeedableRng, rng, rngs::StdRng};
+use tracing::error;
 
 pub use crate::evm::safe_signer;
 
+/// Integrity guard that binds a wallet's encrypted key ID to its Ethereum address.
+/// Both fields are included in the HMAC — swapping `aead_encrypted_id` in the DB
+/// invalidates the envelope MAC, and the AEAD ciphertext is also bound to `address`
+/// as AAD, so decryption fails too.
+#[derive(arbiter_macros::Hashable)]
+struct EvmWalletIntegrity {
+    aead_encrypted_id: i32,
+    address: Address,
+}
+
+impl Integrable for EvmWalletIntegrity {
+    const KIND: &'static str = "evm_wallet";
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, thiserror::Error)]
 pub enum SignTransactionError {
     #[error("Wallet not found")]
     WalletNotFound,
 
+    #[error("Decrypted key does not match requested wallet address")]
+    KeyAddressMismatch,
+
+    #[error("Internal signing error")]
+    Internal,
+
     #[error("Database error: {0}")]
     Database(#[from] DatabaseError),
 
@@ -64,6 +85,12 @@ pub enum Error {
     Integrity(#[from] integrity::Error),
 }
 
+impl From<diesel::result::Error> for Error {
+    fn from(e: diesel::result::Error) -> Self {
+        Self::Database(DatabaseError::from(e))
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Actor)]
 pub struct EvmActor {
     pub vault: ActorRef<Vault>,
@@ -97,20 +124,39 @@ impl EvmActor {
 
         let aead_id: i32 = self
             .vault
-            .ask(CreateNew { plaintext })
+            .ask(CreateNew {
+                plaintext,
+                aad: address.as_slice().to_vec(),
+            })
             .await
             .map_err(|_| Error::VaultSend)?;
 
         let mut conn = self.db.get().await.map_err(DatabaseError::from)?;
-        let wallet_id = insert_into(schema::evm_wallet::table)
+        let wallet_id = conn
-            .values(&models::NewEvmWallet {
+            .exclusive_transaction(async |conn| {
-                address: address.as_slice().to_vec(),
+                let wallet_id: i32 = insert_into(schema::evm_wallet::table)
-                aead_encrypted_id: aead_id,
+                    .values(&models::NewEvmWallet {
+                        address: address.as_slice().to_vec(),
+                        aead_encrypted_id: aead_id,
+                    })
+                    .returning(schema::evm_wallet::id)
+                    .get_result(conn)
+                    .await
+                    .map_err(DatabaseError::from)
+                    .map_err(Error::Database)?;
+
+                integrity::sign_entity(
+                    conn,
+                    &self.vault,
+                    &EvmWalletIntegrity { address, aead_encrypted_id: aead_id },
+                    wallet_id,
+                )
+                .await
+                .map_err(Error::Integrity)?;
+
+                Ok::<i32, Error>(wallet_id)
             })
-            .returning(schema::evm_wallet::id)
+            .await?;
-            .get_result(&mut conn)
-            .await
-            .map_err(DatabaseError::from)?;
 
         Ok((wallet_id, address))
     }
@@ -241,16 +287,51 @@ impl EvmActor {
             .ok_or(SignTransactionError::WalletNotFound)?;
         drop(conn);
 
+        let mut conn = self.db.get().await.map_err(DatabaseError::from)?;
+        let attestation = integrity::verify_entity(
+            &mut conn,
+            &self.vault,
+            &EvmWalletIntegrity {
+                address: wallet_address,
+                aead_encrypted_id: wallet.aead_encrypted_id,
+            },
+            wallet.id,
+        )
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| {
+            error!(?e, wallet_id = wallet.id, "EVM wallet integrity check failed");
+            SignTransactionError::Internal
+        })?;
+        drop(conn);
+
+        if attestation != integrity::AttestationStatus::Attested {
+            error!(
+                wallet_id = wallet.id,
+                "EVM wallet integrity unavailable; refusing to sign"
+            );
+            return Err(SignTransactionError::Internal);
+        }
+
         let raw_key: SafeCell<Vec<u8>> = self
             .vault
             .ask(Decrypt {
                 aead_id: wallet.aead_encrypted_id,
+                aad: wallet.address.clone(),
             })
             .await
             .map_err(|_| SignTransactionError::VaultSend)?;
 
         let signer = safe_signer::SafeSigner::from_cell(raw_key)?;
 
+        if signer.address() != wallet_address {
+            error!(
+                expected = %wallet_address,
+                actual = %signer.address(),
+                "Decrypted private key address does not match requested wallet"
+            );
+            return Err(SignTransactionError::KeyAddressMismatch);
+        }
+
         self.engine
             .evaluate_transaction(wallet_access, transaction.clone(), RunKind::Execution)
             .await?;

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/actors/flow_coordinator/mod.rs

@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ pub mod client_connect_approval;
 
 pub struct FlowCoordinator {
     pub clients: HashMap<ActorId, ActorRef<ClientSession>>,
+    /// Maps DB `client_id` → `ActorId` for fast connected-client lookup.
+    client_ids: HashMap<i32, ActorId>,
     operator_registry: ActorRef<OperatorRegistry>,
 }
 
@@ -27,6 +29,7 @@ impl FlowCoordinator {
     pub fn new(operator_registry: ActorRef<OperatorRegistry>) -> Self {
         Self {
             clients: HashMap::default(),
+            client_ids: HashMap::default(),
             operator_registry,
         }
     }
@@ -48,6 +51,7 @@ impl Actor for FlowCoordinator {
         _: ActorStopReason,
     ) -> Result<ControlFlow<ActorStopReason>, Self::Error> {
         if self.clients.remove(&id).is_some() {
+            self.client_ids.retain(|_, actor_id| *actor_id != id);
             info!(
                 ?id,
                 actor = "FlowCoordinator",
@@ -75,14 +79,28 @@ impl FlowCoordinator {
     #[message(ctx)]
     pub async fn register_client(
         &mut self,
+        client_id: i32,
         actor: ActorRef<ClientSession>,
         ctx: &mut Context<Self, ()>,
     ) {
-        info!(id = %actor.id(), actor = "FlowCoordinator", event = "client.connected");
+        info!(id = %actor.id(), client_id, actor = "FlowCoordinator", event = "client.connected");
         ctx.actor_ref().link(&actor).await;
+        self.client_ids.insert(client_id, actor.id());
         self.clients.insert(actor.id(), actor);
     }
 
+    #[message]
+    pub fn is_client_connected(&self, client_id: i32) -> bool {
+        self.client_ids.contains_key(&client_id)
+    }
+
+    /// Returns the DB `client_ids` of all currently connected SDK clients.
+    /// Used by operator sessions on startup to seed their approved-client set.
+    #[message]
+    pub fn get_connected_client_ids(&self) -> Vec<i32> {
+        self.client_ids.keys().copied().collect()
+    }
+
     #[message(ctx)]
     pub async fn request_client_approval(
         &mut self,

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/actors/vault/mod.rs

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use hmac::{KeyInit as _, Mac as _};
 use kameo::{Actor, Reply, actor::ActorRef, messages};
 use kameo_actors::message_bus::{MessageBus, Publish};
 use strum::{EnumDiscriminants, IntoDiscriminant};
-use tracing::{error, info};
+use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 
 pub mod events {
 
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ pub enum Error {
     Sealed,
     #[error("Invalid key provided")]
     InvalidKey,
+    #[error("Vault locked: too many failed unseal attempts")]
+    LockedOut,
 
     #[error("Requested aead entry not found")]
     NotFound,
@@ -61,6 +63,9 @@ pub enum Error {
 
     #[error("Broken database")]
     BrokenDatabase,
+
+    #[error("Integrity key version mismatch: envelope uses key {envelope}, current key is {current}")]
+    KeyVersionMismatch { envelope: i32, current: i32 },
 }
 
 struct Unsealed {
@@ -79,6 +84,8 @@ enum State {
     Unsealed(Unsealed),
 }
 
+const MAX_UNSEAL_ATTEMPTS: u32 = 5;
+
 /// Manages vault root key and tracks current state of the vault (bootstrapped/unbootstrapped, sealed/unsealed).
 ///
 /// Provides API for encrypting and decrypting data using the vault root key.
@@ -88,6 +95,7 @@ pub struct Vault {
     db: db::DatabasePool,
     state: State,
     events: ActorRef<MessageBus>,
+    unseal_failures: u32,
 }
 
 #[messages]
@@ -110,7 +118,7 @@ impl Vault {
             }
         };
 
-        Ok(Self { db, state, events })
+        Ok(Self { db, state, events, unseal_failures: 0 })
     }
 
     // Exclusive transaction to avoid race condtions if multiple vaults write
@@ -219,6 +227,10 @@ impl Vault {
 
     #[message]
     pub async fn try_unseal(&mut self, seal_key_raw: SafeCell<Vec<u8>>) -> Result<(), Error> {
+        if self.unseal_failures >= MAX_UNSEAL_ATTEMPTS {
+            return Err(Error::LockedOut);
+        }
+
         let State::Sealed {
             root_key_history_id,
         } = &self.state
@@ -251,13 +263,27 @@ impl Vault {
                 Error::BrokenDatabase
             })?;
 
-        seal_key
+        if seal_key
             .decrypt_in_place(&nonce, v1::ROOT_KEY_TAG, &mut root_key)
-            .map_err(|err| {
+            .is_err()
-                error!(?err, "Failed to unseal root key: invalid seal key");
+        {
-                Error::InvalidKey
+            self.unseal_failures += 1;
-            })?;
+            if self.unseal_failures >= MAX_UNSEAL_ATTEMPTS {
+                error!(
+                    attempts = self.unseal_failures,
+                    "Vault locked: maximum failed unseal attempts reached"
+                );
+            } else {
+                warn!(
+                    attempts = self.unseal_failures,
+                    remaining = MAX_UNSEAL_ATTEMPTS - self.unseal_failures,
+                    "Failed unseal attempt"
+                );
+            }
+            return Err(Error::InvalidKey);
+        }
 
+        self.unseal_failures = 0;
         self.state = State::Unsealed(Unsealed {
             root_key_history_id: current_key.id,
             root_key: KeyCell::try_from(root_key).map_err(|err| {
@@ -272,8 +298,10 @@ impl Vault {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    /// Decrypts an AEAD entry. The `aad` must match the value used at encryption time;
+    /// a mismatch causes authentication failure, preventing cross-wallet key swaps.
     #[message]
-    pub async fn decrypt(&mut self, aead_id: i32) -> Result<SafeCell<Vec<u8>>, Error> {
+    pub async fn decrypt(&mut self, aead_id: i32, aad: Vec<u8>) -> Result<SafeCell<Vec<u8>>, Error> {
         let Unsealed { root_key, .. } = Self::expect_unsealed(&mut self.state)?;
 
         let row: models::AeadEncrypted = {
@@ -295,13 +323,15 @@ impl Vault {
             Error::BrokenDatabase
         })?;
         let mut output = SafeCell::new(row.ciphertext);
-        root_key.decrypt_in_place(&nonce, v1::TAG, &mut output)?;
+        root_key.decrypt_in_place(&nonce, &aad, &mut output)?;
         Ok(output)
     }
 
+    /// Creates a new `aead_encrypted` entry and returns its ID.
+    /// The `aad` is bound into the ciphertext and must be reproduced exactly at decryption time.
     // Creates new `aead_encrypted` entry in the database and returns it's ID
     #[message]
-    pub async fn create_new(&mut self, mut plaintext: SafeCell<Vec<u8>>) -> Result<i32, Error> {
+    pub async fn create_new(&mut self, mut plaintext: SafeCell<Vec<u8>>, aad: Vec<u8>) -> Result<i32, Error> {
         let Unsealed {
             root_key,
             root_key_history_id,
@@ -313,7 +343,7 @@ impl Vault {
 
         let mut ciphertext_buffer = plaintext.write();
         let ciphertext_buffer: &mut Vec<u8> = ciphertext_buffer.as_mut();
-        root_key.encrypt_in_place(&nonce, v1::TAG, &mut *ciphertext_buffer)?;
+        root_key.encrypt_in_place(&nonce, &aad, &mut *ciphertext_buffer)?;
 
         let ciphertext = std::mem::take(ciphertext_buffer);
 
@@ -370,7 +400,10 @@ impl Vault {
         } = Self::expect_unsealed(&mut self.state)?;
 
         if *root_key_history_id != key_version {
-            return Ok(false);
+            return Err(Error::KeyVersionMismatch {
+                envelope: key_version,
+                current: *root_key_history_id,
+            });
         }
 
         let mut hmac = root_key.0.read_inline(|k| {
@@ -445,7 +478,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(root_row.data_encryption_nonce, n2.to_vec());
 
         let id = actor
-            .create_new(SafeCell::new(b"post-interleave".to_vec()))
+            .create_new(SafeCell::new(b"post-interleave".to_vec()), b"test-aad".to_vec())
             .await
             .unwrap();
         let row: models::AeadEncrypted = schema::aead_encrypted::table

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/crypto/integrity/v1.rs

@@ -192,7 +192,9 @@ pub async fn verify_entity<E: Integrable>(
         Ok(false) => Err(Error::MacMismatch {
             entity_kind: E::KIND,
         }),
-        Err(SendError::HandlerError(vault::Error::Sealed)) => Ok(AttestationStatus::Unavailable),
+        Err(SendError::HandlerError(
+            vault::Error::Sealed | vault::Error::KeyVersionMismatch { .. },
+        )) => Ok(AttestationStatus::Unavailable),
         Err(_) => Err(Error::VaultSend),
     }
 }
@@ -331,4 +333,47 @@ mod tests {
             .unwrap_err();
         assert!(matches!(err, Error::MacMismatch { .. }));
     }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn key_version_mismatch_returns_unavailable_not_mac_mismatch() {
+        use crate::db::schema::integrity_envelope;
+        use super::AttestationStatus;
+
+        const ENTITY_ID: &[u8] = b"entity-id-rotation-test";
+
+        let db = db::create_test_pool().await;
+        let vault = bootstrapped_vault(&db).await;
+        let mut conn = db.get().await.unwrap();
+
+        let entity = DummyEntity {
+            payload_version: 1,
+            payload: b"payload-v1".to_vec(),
+        };
+
+        sign_entity(&mut conn, &vault, &entity, ENTITY_ID)
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+
+        // Simulate key rotation: update the stored key_version to a stale value.
+        // After real rotation the vault's root_key_history_id would advance, but
+        // here we achieve the same mismatch by back-dating the envelope's key_version.
+        diesel::update(integrity_envelope::table)
+            .filter(integrity_envelope::entity_kind.eq("dummy_entity"))
+            .filter(integrity_envelope::entity_id.eq(ENTITY_ID))
+            .set(integrity_envelope::key_version.eq(0))
+            .execute(&mut conn)
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+
+        // Must NOT error — version mismatch is Unavailable, not tampered.
+        let status = verify_entity(&mut conn, &vault, &entity, ENTITY_ID)
+            .await
+            .expect("key version mismatch must not be treated as an error");
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            status,
+            AttestationStatus::Unavailable,
+            "stale key_version must yield Unavailable, not MacMismatch"
+        );
+    }
 }

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/grpc/operator/auth.rs

@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ impl Receiver<auth::Inbound> for AuthTransportAdapter<'_> {
 
                 Some(auth::Inbound::AuthChallengeRequest {
                     pubkey,
-                    bootstrap_token,
+                    bootstrap_token: bootstrap_token.map(String::into_bytes),
                 })
             }
             AuthRequestPayload::ChallengeSolution(ProtoAuthChallengeSolution { signature }) => {

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/grpc/operator/evm.rs

@@ -217,6 +217,11 @@ async fn handle_sign_transaction(
                 result: Some(vet_error.convert()),
             }
         }
+        Err(kameo::error::SendError::HandlerError(
+            SessionSignTransactionError::ClientNotConnected,
+        )) => {
+            return Err(Status::permission_denied("client not connected"));
+        }
         Err(kameo::error::SendError::HandlerError(SessionSignTransactionError::Internal)) => {
             EvmSignTransactionResponse {
                 result: Some(EvmSignTransactionResult::Error(

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/grpc/operator/vault_gate/outbound.rs

@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ impl TryConvert for vault_gate::Outbound {
                 let proto_result = match result {
                     Ok(()) => ProtoUnsealResult::Success,
                     Err(vault_gate::Error::InvalidKey) => ProtoUnsealResult::InvalidKey,
+                    Err(vault_gate::Error::LockedOut) => ProtoUnsealResult::LockedOut,
                     Err(err) => {
                         warn!(?err, "unseal failed");
                         return Err(Status::internal("Failed to unseal vault"));

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/client/auth.rs

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use crate::{
     crypto::integrity::{self, AttestationStatus},
     db::{
         self,
-        models::{ProgramClientMetadata, SqliteTimestamp},
+        models::ProgramClientMetadata,
         schema::program_client,
     },
 };
@@ -18,14 +18,13 @@ use arbiter_proto::{
     transport::{Bi, expect_message},
 };
 
-use chrono::Utc;
 use diesel::{
     ExpressionMethods as _, OptionalExtension as _, QueryDsl as _, SelectableHelper as _,
-    dsl::insert_into, update,
+    dsl::insert_into,
 };
 use diesel_async::RunQueryDsl as _;
 use kameo::{actor::ActorRef, error::SendError};
-use tracing::error;
+use tracing::{error, warn};
 
 #[derive(thiserror::Error, Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub enum Error {
@@ -211,71 +210,47 @@ async fn insert_client(
     .await
 }
 
-async fn sync_client_metadata(
+/// Compares stored metadata against what a reconnecting client presents.
+/// Metadata is frozen after initial operator approval and must not be silently
+/// overwritten. Doing so would let an approved client forge its displayed
+/// identity in later approval prompts. Drift is logged and ignored.
+async fn check_metadata_drift(
     db: &db::DatabasePool,
     client_id: i32,
-    metadata: &ClientMetadata,
+    presented: &ClientMetadata,
 ) -> Result<(), Error> {
-    use crate::db::schema::{client_metadata, client_metadata_history};
+    use crate::db::schema::client_metadata;
-
-    let now = SqliteTimestamp(Utc::now());
 
     let mut conn = db.get().await.map_err(|e| {
         error!(error = ?e, "Database pool error");
         Error::DatabasePoolUnavailable
     })?;
 
-    conn.exclusive_transaction(async |conn| {
+    let current: ProgramClientMetadata = program_client::table
-        let (current_metadata_id, current): (i32, ProgramClientMetadata) = program_client::table
+        .find(client_id)
-            .find(client_id)
+        .inner_join(client_metadata::table)
-            .inner_join(client_metadata::table)
+        .select(ProgramClientMetadata::as_select())
-            .select((
+        .first(&mut conn)
-                program_client::metadata_id,
+        .await
-                ProgramClientMetadata::as_select(),
+        .map_err(|e| {
-            ))
+            error!(error = ?e, "Database error");
-            .first(&mut *conn)
+            Error::DatabaseOperationFailed
-            .await?;
+        })?;
 
-        let unchanged = current.name == metadata.name
+    let changed = current.name != presented.name
-            && current.description == metadata.description
+        || current.description != presented.description
-            && current.version == metadata.version;
+        || current.version != presented.version;
-        if unchanged {
-            return Ok(());
-        }
 
-        insert_into(client_metadata_history::table)
+    if changed {
-            .values((
+        warn!(
-                client_metadata_history::metadata_id.eq(current_metadata_id),
+            client_id,
-                client_metadata_history::client_id.eq(client_id),
+            stored_name = %current.name,
-            ))
+            presented_name = %presented.name,
-            .execute(&mut *conn)
+            "reconnecting client presented different metadata; ignoring - metadata is frozen after operator approval"
-            .await?;
+        );
+    }
 
-        let metadata_id = insert_into(client_metadata::table)
+    Ok(())
-            .values((
-                client_metadata::name.eq(&metadata.name),
-                client_metadata::description.eq(&metadata.description),
-                client_metadata::version.eq(&metadata.version),
-            ))
-            .returning(client_metadata::id)
-            .get_result::<i32>(&mut *conn)
-            .await?;
-
-        update(program_client::table.find(client_id))
-            .set((
-                program_client::metadata_id.eq(metadata_id),
-                program_client::updated_at.eq(now),
-            ))
-            .execute(&mut *conn)
-            .await?;
-
-        Ok::<(), diesel::result::Error>(())
-    })
-    .await
-    .map_err(|e| {
-        error!(error = ?e, "Database error");
-        Error::DatabaseOperationFailed
-    })
 }
 
 async fn challenge_client<T>(
@@ -324,6 +299,7 @@ where
 
     let client_id = if let Some(id) = get_client_id(&props.db, &pubkey).await? {
         verify_integrity(&props.db, &props.actors.vault, &pubkey).await?;
+        check_metadata_drift(&props.db, id, &metadata).await?;
         id
     } else {
         approve_new_client(
@@ -337,8 +313,6 @@ where
         insert_client(&props.db, &props.actors.vault, &pubkey, &metadata).await?
     };
 
-    sync_client_metadata(&props.db, client_id, &metadata).await?;
-
     let challenge = AuthChallenge::generate(&mut rand::rng());
     challenge_client(transport, pubkey, challenge).await?;
 

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/client/session.rs

@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ impl Actor for ClientSession {
         args.props
             .actors
             .flow_coordinator
-            .ask(RegisterClient { actor: this })
+            .ask(RegisterClient { client_id: args.client_id, actor: this })
             .await
             .map_err(|_| Error::ConnectionRegistrationFailed)?;
         Ok(args)

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/operator/auth/mod.rs

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ mod state;
 pub enum Inbound {
     AuthChallengeRequest {
         pubkey: authn::PublicKey,
-        bootstrap_token: Option<String>,
+        bootstrap_token: Option<Vec<u8>>,
     },
     AuthChallengeSolution {
         signature: Vec<u8>,

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/operator/auth/state.rs

@@ -16,13 +16,12 @@ use tracing::error;
 
 pub(super) struct ChallengeRequest {
     pub(super) pubkey: authn::PublicKey,
-    pub(super) bootstrap_token: Option<String>,
+    pub(super) bootstrap_token: Option<Vec<u8>>,
 }
 
 pub struct ChallengeContext {
     pub(super) challenge: AuthChallenge,
     pub(super) pubkey: authn::PublicKey,
-    pub(super) bootstrap_token: Option<String>,
 }
 
 pub(super) struct ChallengeSolution {
@@ -79,11 +78,16 @@ async fn register_key(db: &DatabasePool, pubkey: &authn::PublicKey) -> Result<i3
 pub(super) struct AuthContext<'a, T: ?Sized> {
     pub(super) conn: &'a mut OperatorConnection,
     pub(super) transport: &'a mut T,
+    bootstrap_token: Option<Vec<u8>>,
 }
 
 impl<'a, T: ?Sized> AuthContext<'a, T> {
     pub(super) const fn new(conn: &'a mut OperatorConnection, transport: &'a mut T) -> Self {
-        Self { conn, transport }
+        Self {
+            conn,
+            transport,
+            bootstrap_token: None,
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -108,6 +112,8 @@ where
             }
         }
 
+        self.bootstrap_token = bootstrap_token;
+
         let challenge = AuthChallenge::generate(&mut rand::rng());
 
         self.transport
@@ -120,20 +126,12 @@ where
                 Error::Transport
             })?;
 
-        Ok(ChallengeContext {
+        Ok(ChallengeContext { challenge, pubkey })
-            challenge,
-            pubkey,
-            bootstrap_token,
-        })
     }
 
     async fn verify_solution(
         &mut self,
-        ChallengeContext {
+        ChallengeContext { challenge, pubkey }: &ChallengeContext,
-            challenge,
-            pubkey,
-            bootstrap_token,
-        }: &ChallengeContext,
         ChallengeSolution { solution }: ChallengeSolution,
     ) -> Result<Credentials, Self::Error> {
         let signature = authn::Signature::try_from(solution.as_slice()).map_err(|()| {
@@ -152,15 +150,13 @@ where
         }
 
         // Resolve client id: bootstrap (consume token + register) or lookup
-        let id = match bootstrap_token {
+        let id = match self.bootstrap_token.take() {
             Some(token) => {
                 let token_ok: bool = self
                     .conn
                     .actors
                     .bootstrapper
-                    .ask(ConsumeToken {
+                    .ask(ConsumeToken { token })
-                        token: token.clone(),
-                    })
                     .await
                     .map_err(|e| {
                         error!(?e, "Failed to consume bootstrap token");

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/operator/session/handlers.rs

@@ -4,9 +4,12 @@ use crate::{
         ClientSignTransaction, Generate, ListWallets, OperatorCreateGrant, OperatorListGrants,
         SignTransactionError as EvmSignError,
     },
-    actors::flow_coordinator::client_connect_approval::ClientApprovalAnswer,
+    actors::flow_coordinator::{IsClientConnected, client_connect_approval::ClientApprovalAnswer},
     actors::vault::VaultState,
-    db::models::{EvmWalletAccess, NewEvmWalletAccess, ProgramClient, ProgramClientMetadata},
+    db::{
+        models::{EvmWalletAccess, NewEvmWalletAccess, ProgramClient, ProgramClientMetadata},
+        schema::program_client,
+    },
     evm::policies::{Grant, SpecificGrant},
 };
 use arbiter_crypto::authn;
@@ -15,13 +18,16 @@ use alloy::{consensus::TxEip1559, primitives::Address, signers::Signature};
 use diesel::{ExpressionMethods as _, QueryDsl as _, SelectableHelper};
 use diesel_async::{AsyncConnection, RunQueryDsl};
 use kameo::{error::SendError, messages, prelude::Context};
-use tracing::error;
+use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Error)]
 pub enum SignTransactionError {
     #[error("Policy evaluation failed")]
     Vet(#[from] crate::evm::VetError),
 
+    #[error("Client not connected")]
+    ClientNotConnected,
+
     #[error("Internal signing error")]
     Internal,
 }
@@ -141,6 +147,30 @@ impl OperatorSession {
         wallet_address: Address,
         transaction: TxEip1559,
     ) -> Result<Signature, SignTransactionError> {
+        if !self.approved_client_ids.contains(&client_id) {
+            warn!(
+                client_id,
+                "operator attempted to sign for client not in its approved set"
+            );
+            return Err(SignTransactionError::ClientNotConnected);
+        }
+
+        let connected = self
+            .props
+            .actors
+            .flow_coordinator
+            .ask(IsClientConnected { client_id })
+            .await
+            .unwrap_or(false);
+
+        if !connected {
+            self.approved_client_ids.remove(&client_id);
+            warn!(client_id, "operator attempted to sign for disconnected client");
+            return Err(SignTransactionError::ClientNotConnected);
+        }
+
+        info!(client_id, event = "sign_transaction", "operator.sign_transaction");
+
         match self
             .props
             .actors
@@ -196,7 +226,7 @@ impl OperatorSession {
             use crate::db::schema::evm_wallet_access;
             for entry in entries {
                 diesel::delete(evm_wallet_access::table)
-                    .filter(evm_wallet_access::wallet_id.eq(entry))
+                    .filter(evm_wallet_access::id.eq(entry))
                     .execute(&mut *conn)
                     .await?;
             }
@@ -249,6 +279,30 @@ impl OperatorSession {
 
         ctx.actor_ref().unlink(&pending_approval.controller).await;
 
+        if approved {
+            let pubkey_bytes = pending_approval.pubkey.to_bytes();
+            match self.props.db.get().await {
+                Ok(mut conn) => {
+                    match program_client::table
+                        .filter(program_client::public_key.eq(pubkey_bytes.as_slice()))
+                        .select(program_client::id)
+                        .first::<i32>(&mut conn)
+                        .await
+                    {
+                        Ok(client_id) => {
+                            self.approved_client_ids.insert(client_id);
+                        }
+                        Err(err) => {
+                            error!(?err, "Failed to look up client_id for approved pubkey");
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                Err(err) => {
+                    error!(?err, "DB pool error after client approval");
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -271,3 +325,142 @@ impl OperatorSession {
         Ok(clients)
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use crate::db::{self, models::NewEvmWalletAccess, schema::evm_wallet_access};
+    use diesel::{ExpressionMethods as _, QueryDsl as _, SelectableHelper};
+    use diesel_async::{AsyncConnection, RunQueryDsl};
+
+    /// Regression test: revocation must delete by access-entry `id`, not by `wallet_id`.
+    ///
+    /// Before the fix, revoking `entry_id=1` would delete all rows where `wallet_id=1`,
+    /// wiping out every client's access to wallet #1.
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn revoke_deletes_by_entry_id_not_wallet_id() {
+        use crate::db::models::EvmWalletAccess;
+
+        let pool = db::create_test_pool().await;
+        let mut conn = pool.get().await.expect("pool connection");
+
+        // Insert two access entries for the same wallet but different clients.
+        // entry A: id will be 1, wallet_id=1, client_id=10
+        // entry B: id will be 2, wallet_id=1, client_id=20
+        let entry_a = diesel::insert_into(evm_wallet_access::table)
+            .values(NewEvmWalletAccess {
+                wallet_id: 1,
+                client_id: 10,
+            })
+            .returning(EvmWalletAccess::as_select())
+            .get_result(&mut *conn)
+            .await
+            .expect("insert entry A");
+
+        let entry_b = diesel::insert_into(evm_wallet_access::table)
+            .values(NewEvmWalletAccess {
+                wallet_id: 1,
+                client_id: 20,
+            })
+            .returning(EvmWalletAccess::as_select())
+            .get_result(&mut *conn)
+            .await
+            .expect("insert entry B");
+
+        // Revoke only entry A by its primary key id.
+        conn.transaction(async |conn| {
+            diesel::delete(evm_wallet_access::table)
+                .filter(evm_wallet_access::id.eq(entry_a.id))
+                .execute(&mut *conn)
+                .await
+        })
+        .await
+        .expect("revoke entry A");
+
+        // Entry A must be gone.
+        let gone = evm_wallet_access::table
+            .filter(evm_wallet_access::id.eq(entry_a.id))
+            .count()
+            .get_result::<i64>(&mut *conn)
+            .await
+            .expect("count entry A");
+        assert_eq!(gone, 0, "revoked entry must be deleted");
+
+        // Entry B (same wallet, different client) must still exist.
+        let still_there = evm_wallet_access::table
+            .filter(evm_wallet_access::id.eq(entry_b.id))
+            .count()
+            .get_result::<i64>(&mut *conn)
+            .await
+            .expect("count entry B");
+        assert_eq!(still_there, 1, "unrelated entry must not be deleted");
+    }
+
+    /// Regression test: when `entry_id` and `wallet_id` differ, only the correct row is removed.
+    ///
+    /// This specifically catches the case where `entry.id=5` and `wallet_id=1` are different values;
+    /// the old bug would delete by `wallet_id`, potentially matching a completely different entry.
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn revoke_with_mismatched_wallet_and_entry_ids() {
+        use crate::db::models::EvmWalletAccess;
+
+        let pool = db::create_test_pool().await;
+        let mut conn = pool.get().await.expect("pool connection");
+
+        // Insert entries to force auto-increment IDs to diverge from wallet_ids.
+        // We'll insert 5 placeholder entries first so that the real entry gets id=6.
+        for i in 1_i32..=5 {
+            diesel::insert_into(evm_wallet_access::table)
+                .values(NewEvmWalletAccess {
+                    wallet_id: 99,
+                    client_id: i,
+                })
+                .execute(&mut *conn)
+                .await
+                .expect("insert placeholder");
+        }
+
+        // Real target: wallet_id=1, will get id=6.
+        let target = diesel::insert_into(evm_wallet_access::table)
+            .values(NewEvmWalletAccess {
+                wallet_id: 1,
+                client_id: 1,
+            })
+            .returning(EvmWalletAccess::as_select())
+            .get_result(&mut *conn)
+            .await
+            .expect("insert target");
+
+        // Sanity: target.id != target.wallet_id
+        assert_ne!(
+            target.id, target.wallet_id,
+            "test prerequisite: id and wallet_id must differ"
+        );
+
+        // Revoke by entry id.
+        conn.transaction(async |conn| {
+            diesel::delete(evm_wallet_access::table)
+                .filter(evm_wallet_access::id.eq(target.id))
+                .execute(&mut *conn)
+                .await
+        })
+        .await
+        .expect("revoke target");
+
+        let remaining = evm_wallet_access::table
+            .filter(evm_wallet_access::id.eq(target.id))
+            .count()
+            .get_result::<i64>(&mut *conn)
+            .await
+            .expect("count target");
+        assert_eq!(remaining, 0, "target must be deleted by its entry id");
+
+        // Placeholders for wallet_id=99 must be untouched.
+        let placeholders = evm_wallet_access::table
+            .filter(evm_wallet_access::wallet_id.eq(99))
+            .count()
+            .get_result::<i64>(&mut *conn)
+            .await
+            .expect("count placeholders");
+        assert_eq!(placeholders, 5, "unrelated entries must survive");
+    }
+}

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/operator/session/mod.rs

@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
 use super::{OutOfBand, OperatorConnection};
 use crate::{
     actors::{
-        flow_coordinator::client_connect_approval::{ClientApprovalAnswer, ClientApprovalController},
+        flow_coordinator::{GetConnectedClientIds, client_connect_approval::{ClientApprovalAnswer, ClientApprovalController}}, operator_registry::ConnectOperator,
-        operator_registry::ConnectOperator,
+    }, peers::client::ClientProfile,
-    },
-    peers::client::ClientProfile,
 };
 use arbiter_crypto::authn;
 use arbiter_proto::transport::Sender;
 
 use kameo::{Actor, actor::ActorRef, messages};
-use std::{borrow::Cow, collections::HashMap};
+use std::{borrow::Cow, collections::{HashMap, HashSet}};
 use thiserror::Error;
 use tracing::error;
 
@@ -54,6 +52,10 @@ pub struct OperatorSession {
     sender: Box<dyn Sender<OutOfBand>>,
 
     pending_client_approvals: HashMap<Vec<u8>, PendingClientApproval>,
+    /// DB `client_ids` this operator session is allowed to sign for.
+    /// Seeded from currently-connected clients on start, then updated as
+    /// approvals are granted or denied during the session lifetime.
+    approved_client_ids: HashSet<i32>,
 }
 
 pub mod handlers;
@@ -64,6 +66,7 @@ impl OperatorSession {
             props,
             sender,
             pending_client_approvals: HashMap::default(),
+            approved_client_ids: HashSet::default(),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -107,7 +110,7 @@ impl Actor for OperatorSession {
 
     type Error = Error;
 
-    async fn on_start(args: Self::Args, this: ActorRef<Self>) -> Result<Self, Self::Error> {
+    async fn on_start(mut args: Self::Args, this: ActorRef<Self>) -> Result<Self, Self::Error> {
         args.props
             .actors
             .operator_registry
@@ -122,6 +125,16 @@ impl Actor for OperatorSession {
                 );
                 Error::internal("Failed to register operator connection with operator registry")
             })?;
+
+        // Seed approved set with clients already connected when this session starts.
+        // New clients will be added via handle_new_client_approve as they are approved.
+        match args.props.actors.flow_coordinator.ask(GetConnectedClientIds {}).await {
+            Ok(ids) => args.approved_client_ids.extend(ids),
+            Err(err) => {
+                error!(?err, "Failed to fetch connected client IDs on operator session start");
+            }
+        }
+
         Ok(args)
     }
 

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/operator/vault_gate/mod.rs

@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ pub enum Error {
     AlreadyBootstrapped,
     #[error("Invalid key provided")]
     InvalidKey,
+    #[error("Vault locked: too many failed unseal attempts")]
+    LockedOut,
 
     #[error("State transition failed")]
     State,
@@ -170,6 +172,7 @@ impl VaultGate {
                 Ok(())
             }
             Err(SendError::HandlerError(vault::Error::InvalidKey)) => Err(Error::InvalidKey),
+            Err(SendError::HandlerError(vault::Error::LockedOut)) => Err(Error::LockedOut),
             Err(SendError::HandlerError(err)) => {
                 error!(?err, "Vault failed to unseal key");
                 Err(Error::InvalidKey)

server/crates/arbiter-server/tests/client/auth.rs

@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ pub async fn metadata_unchanged_does_not_append_history() {
 
 #[tokio::test]
 #[test_log::test]
-pub async fn metadata_change_appends_history_and_repoints_binding() {
+pub async fn metadata_frozen_after_approval_ignores_reconnect_changes() {
     let db = db::create_test_pool().await;
     let actors = spawn_test_actors(&db).await;
     let new_key = MlDsa87::key_gen(&mut rand::rng());
@@ -287,6 +287,7 @@ pub async fn metadata_change_appends_history_and_repoints_binding() {
         connect_client(props, &mut server_transport).await;
     });
 
+    // Reconnect presenting different metadata — must be silently ignored.
     test_transport
         .send(auth::Inbound::AuthChallengeRequest {
             pubkey: verifying_key(&new_key).into(),
@@ -313,6 +314,7 @@ pub async fn metadata_change_appends_history_and_repoints_binding() {
             client_metadata, client_metadata_history, program_client,
         };
         let mut conn = db.get().await.unwrap();
+        // Metadata is frozen: no new row, no history entry.
         let metadata_count: i64 = client_metadata::table
             .count()
             .get_result(&mut conn)
@@ -338,15 +340,16 @@ pub async fn metadata_change_appends_history_and_repoints_binding() {
             .first::<(String, Option<String>, Option<String>)>(&mut conn)
             .await
             .unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(metadata_count, 2);
+        assert_eq!(metadata_count, 1, "frozen: no new metadata row on reconnect");
-        assert_eq!(history_count, 1);
+        assert_eq!(history_count, 0, "frozen: no history entry on reconnect");
         assert_eq!(
             current,
             (
                 "client".to_owned(),
-                Some("new".to_owned()),
+                Some("old".to_owned()),
-                Some("2.0.0".to_owned())
+                Some("1.0.0".to_owned())
-            )
+            ),
+            "frozen: original metadata must be preserved"
         );
     }
 }

server/crates/arbiter-server/tests/operator/auth.rs

@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ pub async fn bootstrap_token_auth() {
     test_transport
         .send(auth::Inbound::AuthChallengeRequest {
             pubkey: verifying_key(&new_key).into(),
-            bootstrap_token: Some(token),
+            bootstrap_token: Some(token.into_bytes()),
         })
         .await
         .unwrap();
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ pub async fn bootstrap_invalid_token_auth() {
     test_transport
         .send(auth::Inbound::AuthChallengeRequest {
             pubkey: verifying_key(&new_key).into(),
-            bootstrap_token: Some("invalid_token".to_owned()),
+            bootstrap_token: Some(b"invalid_token".to_vec()),
         })
         .await
         .unwrap();

server/crates/arbiter-server/tests/vault/concurrency.rs

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ use kameo::actor::{ActorRef, Spawn as _};
 use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
 use tokio::task::JoinSet;
 
+const TEST_AAD: &[u8] = b"test-aad";
+
 async fn write_concurrently(
     actor: ActorRef<Vault>,
     prefix: &'static str,
@@ -27,6 +29,7 @@ async fn write_concurrently(
             let id = actor
                 .ask(CreateNew {
                     plaintext: SafeCell::new(plaintext.clone()),
+                    aad: TEST_AAD.to_vec(),
                 })
                 .await
                 .unwrap();
@@ -120,7 +123,7 @@ async fn insert_failure_does_not_create_partial_row() {
     drop(conn);
 
     let err = actor
-        .create_new(SafeCell::new(b"should fail".to_vec()))
+        .create_new(SafeCell::new(b"should fail".to_vec()), TEST_AAD.to_vec())
         .await
         .unwrap_err();
     assert!(matches!(err, Error::DatabaseTransaction(_)));
@@ -171,7 +174,7 @@ async fn decrypt_roundtrip_after_high_concurrency() {
         .unwrap();
 
     for (id, plaintext) in expected {
-        let mut decrypted = decryptor.decrypt(id).await.unwrap();
+        let mut decrypted = decryptor.decrypt(id, TEST_AAD.to_vec()).await.unwrap();
         assert_eq!(*decrypted.read(), plaintext);
     }
 }

server/crates/arbiter-server/tests/vault/lifecycle.rs

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ use arbiter_server::{
 use diesel::{QueryDsl, SelectableHelper};
 use diesel_async::RunQueryDsl;
 
+const TEST_AAD: &[u8] = b"test-aad";
+
 #[tokio::test]
 #[test_log::test]
 async fn bootstrap() {
@@ -57,7 +59,7 @@ async fn create_new_before_bootstrap_fails() {
         .unwrap();
 
     let err = actor
-        .create_new(SafeCell::new(b"data".to_vec()))
+        .create_new(SafeCell::new(b"data".to_vec()), TEST_AAD.to_vec())
         .await
         .unwrap_err();
     assert!(matches!(err, Error::NotBootstrapped));
@@ -71,7 +73,7 @@ async fn decrypt_before_bootstrap_fails() {
         .await
         .unwrap();
 
-    let err = actor.decrypt(1).await.unwrap_err();
+    let err = actor.decrypt(1, TEST_AAD.to_vec()).await.unwrap_err();
     assert!(matches!(err, Error::NotBootstrapped));
 }
 
@@ -85,7 +87,7 @@ async fn new_restores_sealed_state() {
     let mut actor2 = Vault::new(db, GlobalActors::spawn_message_bus())
         .await
         .unwrap();
-    let err = actor2.decrypt(1).await.unwrap_err();
+    let err = actor2.decrypt(1, TEST_AAD.to_vec()).await.unwrap_err();
     assert!(matches!(err, Error::Sealed));
 }
 
@@ -97,7 +99,7 @@ async fn unseal_correct_password() {
 
     let plaintext = b"survive a restart";
     let aead_id = actor
-        .create_new(SafeCell::new(plaintext.to_vec()))
+        .create_new(SafeCell::new(plaintext.to_vec()), TEST_AAD.to_vec())
         .await
         .unwrap();
     drop(actor);
@@ -108,7 +110,7 @@ async fn unseal_correct_password() {
     let seal_key = SafeCell::new(b"test-seal-key".to_vec());
     actor.try_unseal(seal_key).await.unwrap();
 
-    let mut decrypted = actor.decrypt(aead_id).await.unwrap();
+    let mut decrypted = actor.decrypt(aead_id, TEST_AAD.to_vec()).await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(*decrypted.read(), plaintext);
 }
 
@@ -120,7 +122,7 @@ async fn unseal_wrong_then_correct_password() {
 
     let plaintext = b"important data";
     let aead_id = actor
-        .create_new(SafeCell::new(plaintext.to_vec()))
+        .create_new(SafeCell::new(plaintext.to_vec()), TEST_AAD.to_vec())
         .await
         .unwrap();
     drop(actor);
@@ -136,6 +138,6 @@ async fn unseal_wrong_then_correct_password() {
     let good_key = SafeCell::new(b"test-seal-key".to_vec());
     actor.try_unseal(good_key).await.unwrap();
 
-    let mut decrypted = actor.decrypt(aead_id).await.unwrap();
+    let mut decrypted = actor.decrypt(aead_id, TEST_AAD.to_vec()).await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(*decrypted.read(), plaintext);
 }

server/crates/arbiter-server/tests/vault/storage.rs

@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ use diesel::{ExpressionMethods as _, QueryDsl, SelectableHelper, dsl::update};
 use diesel_async::RunQueryDsl;
 use std::collections::HashSet;
 
+const TEST_AAD: &[u8] = b"test-aad";
+
 #[tokio::test]
 #[test_log::test]
 async fn create_decrypt_roundtrip() {
@@ -18,11 +20,11 @@ async fn create_decrypt_roundtrip() {
 
     let plaintext = b"hello arbiter";
     let aead_id = actor
-        .create_new(SafeCell::new(plaintext.to_vec()))
+        .create_new(SafeCell::new(plaintext.to_vec()), TEST_AAD.to_vec())
         .await
         .unwrap();
 
-    let mut decrypted = actor.decrypt(aead_id).await.unwrap();
+    let mut decrypted = actor.decrypt(aead_id, TEST_AAD.to_vec()).await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(*decrypted.read(), plaintext);
 }
 
@@ -32,7 +34,7 @@ async fn decrypt_nonexistent_returns_not_found() {
     let db = db::create_test_pool().await;
     let mut actor = common::bootstrapped_vault(&db).await;
 
-    let err = actor.decrypt(9999).await.unwrap_err();
+    let err = actor.decrypt(9999, TEST_AAD.to_vec()).await.unwrap_err();
     assert!(matches!(err, Error::NotFound));
 }
 
@@ -44,11 +46,11 @@ async fn ciphertext_differs_across_entries() {
 
     let plaintext = b"same content";
     let id1 = actor
-        .create_new(SafeCell::new(plaintext.to_vec()))
+        .create_new(SafeCell::new(plaintext.to_vec()), TEST_AAD.to_vec())
         .await
         .unwrap();
     let id2 = actor
-        .create_new(SafeCell::new(plaintext.to_vec()))
+        .create_new(SafeCell::new(plaintext.to_vec()), TEST_AAD.to_vec())
         .await
         .unwrap();
 
@@ -68,8 +70,8 @@ async fn ciphertext_differs_across_entries() {
 
     assert_ne!(row1.ciphertext, row2.ciphertext);
 
-    let mut d1 = actor.decrypt(id1).await.unwrap();
+    let mut d1 = actor.decrypt(id1, TEST_AAD.to_vec()).await.unwrap();
-    let mut d2 = actor.decrypt(id2).await.unwrap();
+    let mut d2 = actor.decrypt(id2, TEST_AAD.to_vec()).await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(*d1.read(), plaintext);
     assert_eq!(*d2.read(), plaintext);
 }
@@ -83,7 +85,7 @@ async fn nonce_never_reused() {
     let n = 5;
     for i in 0..n {
         actor
-            .create_new(SafeCell::new(format!("secret {i}").into_bytes()))
+            .create_new(SafeCell::new(format!("secret {i}").into_bytes()), TEST_AAD.to_vec())
             .await
             .unwrap();
     }
@@ -137,7 +139,7 @@ async fn broken_db_nonce_format_fails_closed() {
     drop(conn);
 
     let err = actor
-        .create_new(SafeCell::new(b"must fail".to_vec()))
+        .create_new(SafeCell::new(b"must fail".to_vec()), TEST_AAD.to_vec())
         .await
         .unwrap_err();
     assert!(matches!(err, Error::BrokenDatabase));
@@ -145,7 +147,7 @@ async fn broken_db_nonce_format_fails_closed() {
     let db = db::create_test_pool().await;
     let mut actor = common::bootstrapped_vault(&db).await;
     let id = actor
-        .create_new(SafeCell::new(b"decrypt target".to_vec()))
+        .create_new(SafeCell::new(b"decrypt target".to_vec()), TEST_AAD.to_vec())
         .await
         .unwrap();
     let mut conn = db.get().await.unwrap();
@@ -156,6 +158,6 @@ async fn broken_db_nonce_format_fails_closed() {
         .unwrap();
     drop(conn);
 
-    let err = actor.decrypt(id).await.unwrap_err();
+    let err = actor.decrypt(id, TEST_AAD.to_vec()).await.unwrap_err();
     assert!(matches!(err, Error::BrokenDatabase));
 }