Definition ∞ An integer division flaw in smart contracts occurs when division operations involving whole numbers produce unexpected or incorrect results due to truncation or rounding down. Since the Ethereum Virtual Machine and many other blockchain environments only support integer arithmetic, any remainder from a division is discarded. This can lead to subtle but significant errors in calculations, especially when dealing with token distributions, interest accrual, or price conversions. Such flaws can be exploited to drain funds or disrupt protocol logic.
Context ∞ Reports on smart contract vulnerabilities often detail incidents stemming from integer division flaws, which attackers exploit to gain an advantage. Developers must rigorously test their code and use safe math libraries to prevent these types of errors. The ongoing challenge involves writing precise financial logic within the constraints of integer-only arithmetic in blockchain environments.
Blockchain Knowledge
Cryptocurrency Foundation
Cryptospace Newsfeed
