Privileged Code

Definition ∞ Privileged code refers to software components or sections that possess elevated access rights or special permissions within a system, enabling them to perform critical operations or interact with sensitive resources. In blockchain systems, this might include parts of a smart contract with administrative functions or core protocol code that can modify network parameters. Such code requires extreme examination due to its potential impact on system security and integrity. It carries heightened responsibility and risk.
Context ∞ The existence and management of privileged code are central to security audits and governance discussions in decentralized projects. News often focuses on weaknesses discovered in privileged code or debates surrounding the distribution of control over such powerful components. Minimizing the scope and access of privileged code is a key security principle in blockchain development.