Vault Logic Bypass

Definition ∞ A vault logic bypass refers to a critical security vulnerability within a smart contract or protocol designed to secure digital assets, often termed a “vault.” This flaw permits an attacker to circumvent the intended access controls or operational rules of the vault, enabling unauthorized withdrawals or manipulation of the stored assets. Such a bypass directly compromises the integrity of the asset protection mechanism. It represents a severe exploit vector.
Context ∞ News frequently reports on vault logic bypasses when DeFi protocols suffer significant exploits, leading to substantial asset losses. These vulnerabilities often stem from subtle coding errors, re-entrancy issues, or incorrect handling of external calls within smart contracts. Developers prioritize rigorous security audits and formal verification to prevent such bypasses, as they pose a direct threat to the safety of user funds locked in decentralized financial applications.