How Can a Low Number of Core Developers Expose a Protocol to Security Vulnerabilities?

A low number of core developers increases the risk of security vulnerabilities because there are fewer eyes reviewing the code, fewer resources for timely bug fixes, and a higher chance of critical knowledge being concentrated in one or two individuals. This lack of diverse, continuous scrutiny can lead to unaddressed exploits or slow responses to zero-day vulnerabilities, significantly increasing the risk of a smart contract exploit and subsequent loss of funds.