Definition ∞ Contract exploits are vulnerabilities in smart contract code that malicious actors leverage to gain unauthorized control, steal assets, or disrupt protocol functionality. These security flaws can arise from coding errors, logical oversights, or unexpected interactions with other contracts. Successful exploits often result in significant financial losses for users and projects. Understanding these attack vectors is vital for assessing the risk associated with decentralized applications.
Context ∞ News about contract exploits regularly highlights the inherent risks within the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, leading to calls for more robust auditing and secure coding practices. The industry continuously develops new tools and methodologies for identifying and mitigating these vulnerabilities, such as bug bounties and formal verification. The frequency and impact of these incidents underscore the importance of continuous security improvements in smart contract development.