Is Windsurf Safe?
Last updated: January 12, 2026
An honest security analysis of Windsurf for developers considering it for their projects.
Quick Answer
Use with caution - 94 Chromium CVEs require vigilant updatesWindsurf (by Codeium) has significant security concerns: 94 Chromium CVEs were discovered in 2024-2025 security audits. While Codeium offers zero data retention mode and self-hosted options, the Chromium vulnerability count makes Cursor (VS Code-based, no major CVEs) a safer alternative for sensitive work.
Understanding Windsurf Security
When evaluating whether Windsurf is safe for your project, it's important to understand the distinction between platform security and application security. Windsurf as a platform implements industry-standard security practices for its infrastructure, including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits.
However, the security of applications built with Windsurf depends significantly on how developers use the platform. AI-generated code and rapid development workflows can introduce vulnerabilities that exist independently of the platform's underlying security. Research from Stanford University found that AI coding assistants produce vulnerable code approximately 40% of the time when working on security-sensitive tasks.
The most common security issues in Windsurf applications stem from misconfigurations, exposed credentials, and missing security controls—problems that developers must address regardless of which platform they use. Understanding these patterns helps you make informed decisions about using Windsurf for your specific use case.
Platform Security
Platform security refers to the security measures Windsurf implements at the infrastructure level: how they protect their servers, encrypt data in transit and at rest, manage access to their systems, and respond to security incidents. These are controls the platform provider manages on your behalf.
Application Security
Application security is your responsibility as a developer. This includes properly configuring authentication, implementing authorization controls, protecting sensitive data, securing API endpoints, and avoiding common vulnerabilities like exposed credentials or SQL injection. These risks exist regardless of which platform you use.
Common Security Mistakes in Windsurf Apps
Based on security scans of thousands of Windsurf applications, these are the most frequently encountered vulnerabilities. Understanding these patterns helps you proactively secure your applications.
Exposed API Keys & Secrets
AI coding tools frequently embed API keys, database credentials, and other secrets directly in JavaScript bundles. These credentials become visible to anyone who inspects your application's source code in their browser.
Prevention: Use environment variables and server-side API routes to keep credentials secure.
Missing Database Security
Applications using Supabase or Firebase often launch without proper Row Level Security (RLS) policies or Security Rules. This allows unauthorized users to read, modify, or delete data they shouldn't have access to.
Prevention: Always enable and test RLS policies before deploying to production.
Insufficient Input Validation
AI-generated code often assumes valid input without implementing proper validation. This opens applications to injection attacks, XSS vulnerabilities, and data corruption.
Prevention: Validate all user input on both client and server side.
Missing Security Headers
HTTP security headers like Content-Security-Policy, X-Frame-Options, and Strict-Transport-Security are frequently missing from AI-generated applications, leaving them vulnerable to various attacks.
Prevention: Configure security headers in your hosting platform or application middleware.
Known Security Incidents
94 Chromium CVEs Discovered in Security Audit
2024-2025Security researchers identified 94 Chromium-based vulnerabilities in Windsurf IDE, including memory corruption, sandbox escapes, and remote code execution risks. Users must keep Windsurf updated to the latest version to receive patches.
Security Assessment
Security Strengths
- Zero Data Retention mode: Codeium claims no code storage in this mode
- Self-hosted deployment option for enterprise (keeps AI on-premises)
- Codeium is SOC 2 Type II certified
- Cascade AI feature can work with local models
- Active development - Codeium releases patches frequently
Security Concerns
- 94 Chromium CVEs discovered in 2024-2025 security audits - far more than competitors
- Chromium-based architecture means browser-level vulnerabilities affect the IDE
- Electron apps like Windsurf have larger attack surface than web-based tools
- Cascade AI sends code to cloud by default (Zero Data Retention must be enabled)
- Updates are critical but users often delay installing them
Security Checklist for Windsurf
- 1Enable auto-updates: Windsurf → Settings → Application → Check for updates automatically
- 2Enable Zero Data Retention: Codeium Settings → Data Privacy → Zero Data Retention
- 3For enterprise: consider Codeium's self-hosted deployment option
- 4Verify version after each update: Help → About should show latest release
- 5Review Cascade AI suggestions carefully before accepting
- 6For highly sensitive code: consider Cursor (VS Code-based, no major CVEs) instead
The Verdict
Windsurf's 94 Chromium CVEs are a serious concern that sets it apart from competitors. While Codeium offers good privacy options (Zero Data Retention, self-hosted), the sheer number of vulnerabilities in the underlying Chromium framework makes vigilant updating essential. For security-critical work, Cursor (VS Code-based, clean security record) is a safer choice.
Security Research & Industry Data
Understanding Windsurf security in the context of broader industry trends and research.
of Lovable applications (170 out of 1,645) had exposed user data in the CVE-2025-48757 incident
Source: CVE-2025-48757 security advisory
average cost of a data breach in 2023
Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023
developers using vibe coding platforms like Lovable, Bolt, and Replit
Source: Combined platform statistics 2024-2025
What Security Experts Say
“There's a new kind of coding I call 'vibe coding', where you fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists.”
“It's not really coding - I just see stuff, say stuff, run stuff, and copy paste stuff, and it mostly works.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 94 Chromium CVEs in Windsurf?
Security researchers discovered 94 vulnerabilities in Windsurf's Chromium-based architecture during 2024-2025 audits. These include memory corruption bugs, sandbox escapes, and potential remote code execution. Codeium has released patches, but users must keep Windsurf updated.
Is Windsurf safer than Cursor?
No. Cursor (VS Code fork) has no major CVEs, while Windsurf has 94 Chromium CVEs. Cursor's architecture is more battle-tested. Both offer privacy modes, but Cursor's security track record is significantly better.
What is Codeium's Zero Data Retention mode?
Zero Data Retention is a Codeium setting that claims no code snippets are stored on their servers. Code is processed for AI suggestions but not retained. Enable it in Codeium Settings → Data Privacy. For maximum security, consider Codeium's self-hosted option.
Should I stop using Windsurf?
You can use Windsurf if you: 1) Enable auto-updates and verify they install, 2) Enable Zero Data Retention mode, 3) Review AI suggestions carefully. For highly sensitive/classified work, consider Cursor instead due to its cleaner security record.
How do I update Windsurf to patch CVEs?
Go to Help → Check for Updates, or enable auto-updates in Settings → Application. Verify your version in Help → About. Windsurf releases patches regularly, but they only protect you if installed. Check release notes for security fixes.
Verify Your Windsurf App Security
Don't guess - scan your app and know for certain. VAS checks for all the common security issues in Windsurf applications.