Convex Security Issues
The most common security gaps in Convex applications — and how to fix them before they become an incident.
Results in minutes. From $9.
4 Security Issues Documented
Common vulnerabilities found in Convex applications
Critical Security Issues
Secrets in Action Functions
criticalActions calling external APIs may have secrets accessible if function access controls aren't configured.
Complete database exposure — attackers can read, modify, or delete all user data. For Convex apps that handle PII or payment data, this becomes a reportable breach (GDPR 72-hour notification).
Probe API/database endpoints without authentication. Any response containing user data confirms the gap.
Enable Row Level Security (Supabase) or Security Rules (Firebase) on every table. For custom backends, enforce authorization at the query layer — never client-side.
High Severity Issues
Unauthenticated Query Access
highConvex queries are public by default. Without explicit auth checks, anyone can read your data.
Account takeover of legitimate users. Attackers gain full access to victim accounts and any data/actions those accounts permit.
Attempt 20+ login requests with the same username in under 60 seconds. If all complete without rate limiting or lockout, the issue is present.
Enforce email verification, minimum password requirements, and rate limiting on auth endpoints. Test auth flows as unauthenticated and cross-user to verify access controls.
Missing Argument Validation
highQueries and mutations accepting user input without validation are susceptible to injection.
Session hijacking, data theft, and arbitrary actions executed on behalf of logged-in users. XSS also enables keylogging and credential phishing within your own domain.
Submit test payloads (`<script>alert(1)</script>`, `' OR 1=1 --`) through every user input field. Any reflection or query error confirms the issue.
Use parameterized queries, sanitize all user input, and render dynamic content with framework escaping (React JSX, not dangerouslySetInnerHTML).
Medium Severity Issues
Unprotected Mutations
mediumMutations without identity verification allow unauthenticated data manipulation.
Account takeover of legitimate users. Attackers gain full access to victim accounts and any data/actions those accounts permit.
Attempt 20+ login requests with the same username in under 60 seconds. If all complete without rate limiting or lockout, the issue is present.
Scan your deployed application with a security tool that understands this stack. Address the specific findings — generic best practices don't catch platform-specific misconfigurations.
How to Prevent These Issues
- Run automated security scans before every deployment
- Configure database access controls (RLS/Security Rules) first
- Store all secrets in environment variables, never in code
- Enable email verification and strong password policies
- Add security headers to your hosting configuration
- Review AI-generated code for security before accepting
Find Issues Before Attackers Do
VAS scans your Convex app for all these issues automatically. Scans from $9, instant results.
Get Starter ScanFrequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Convex security issues?
The most common issues are: exposed API keys/secrets, missing database access controls (RLS or Security Rules), weak authentication configuration, and missing security headers. These account for over 80% of vulnerabilities in Convex applications.
How do I find security issues in my Convex app?
Run a VAS security scan for automated detection of common vulnerabilities. Manually check: database access controls, search code for hardcoded secrets, verify authentication settings, and test security headers. VAS catches all of these automatically.
Are Convex security issues fixable?
Yes, nearly all Convex security issues are configuration problems with straightforward fixes. Missing RLS, exposed secrets, weak auth—all have clear remediation steps. Most fixes take under an hour to implement.
How quickly can Convex security issues be exploited?
Exposed databases and API keys can be discovered within minutes using automated scanners. Attackers actively scan for common patterns. This is why security configuration must happen before deployment, not after.
Does Convex have built-in security?
Convex provides security features, but they require configuration. Security isn't automatic—you must enable database access controls, manage secrets properly, configure auth settings, and add security headers. The tools exist; you must use them.
Related Convex Security Resources
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Convex Best Practices
Remediation playbook derived from Convex's actual failure modes.
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Pre-launch checklist covering every finding class for Convex.
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Step-by-step hardening guide for Convex deployments.
Last updated: April 20, 2026