Definition ∞ Chain state manipulation involves unauthorized alteration of a blockchain’s historical transaction record or its current data. This action undermines the core principles of immutability and integrity inherent to distributed ledger technology. Successful manipulation can lead to double-spending, asset theft, or invalidation of legitimate transactions. It poses a severe threat to network security.
Context ∞ Concerns about chain state manipulation are central to discussions on blockchain security, particularly regarding consensus mechanisms and attack vectors. A 51% attack, where a single entity controls a majority of network computing power, represents a primary method for such manipulation. Ongoing research and development focus on making networks more resilient against these types of attacks.