Arbitrary Call

Definition ∞ An arbitrary call represents an operation within a smart contract or protocol that permits execution with any user-provided parameters. This function grants significant flexibility but concurrently introduces potential security exposures if not implemented with stringent controls. Such calls can lead to unintended state changes or unauthorized asset transfers if vulnerabilities exist in their parameter validation or access control mechanisms.
Context ∞ News often details security breaches and asset losses stemming from poorly secured arbitrary calls in decentralized applications. The discourse surrounding these incidents frequently underscores the critical need for comprehensive smart contract audits and robust permissioning frameworks. Vigilance in protocol design and implementation is essential to prevent malicious exploitation of these flexible functions.