The most common security vulnerabilities in Netlify applications—and how to fix them before attackers find them.
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Common vulnerabilities found in Netlify applications
API keys and credentials embedded directly in source code.
Credential theft, unauthorized API access, financial loss.
Search code for common key patterns (sk-, AKIA, apiKey).
Move all secrets to environment variables.
Database accessible without proper authentication/authorization.
Complete data exposure and manipulation.
Try accessing database without authentication.
Configure RLS (Postgres), Security Rules (Firebase), or equivalent.
Missing email verification, weak password policies.
Account takeover, fake accounts, credential stuffing.
Test authentication flows for weaknesses.
Enable email verification, set password requirements.
Input validation only performed client-side.
Injection attacks, data manipulation.
Bypass client-side validation and send malformed requests.
Always validate on the server.
CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options not configured.
XSS, clickjacking, downgrade attacks.
Check HTTP response headers.
Configure headers in hosting platform or web server.
Session cookies missing security flags.
Session hijacking, cross-site attacks.
Inspect cookies in browser DevTools.
Set HttpOnly, Secure, SameSite flags.
VAS scans your Netlify app for all these issues automatically. Free scan, instant results.
Scan Your App NowThe 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 Netlify applications.
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.
Yes, nearly all Netlify 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.
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.
Netlify 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.
Last updated: January 16, 2026