Cursor

Cursor Security Risks

Know the risks before you deploy. Understanding Cursor security vulnerabilities is the first step to building secure applications.

Instant results. See which risks apply to you.

2
Critical Risks
2
High Risks
1
Medium Risks
0
Low Risks

Every platform has security risks—the key is understanding them. Cursor applications face specific vulnerabilities that, if left unaddressed, can lead to data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage. This guide covers the real risks and practical mitigations.

Cursor Security Risks

#1Prompt Injection in MCP Servers

critical

Malicious content in MCP tool responses can execute arbitrary commands.

Likelihood:medium
Impact:critical
Real-World Example

CVE-2025-54135 (CurXecute): Slack messages could trigger remote code execution.

Mitigation

Review MCP server sources. Avoid untrusted MCP integrations. Watch for suspicious tool calls.

#2Workspace Trust Exploitation

critical

Malicious .cursor/rules files execute when opening untrusted projects.

Likelihood:medium
Impact:critical
Real-World Example

The 'Rules File Backdoor' vulnerability affects both Cursor and Copilot.

Mitigation

Enable Workspace Trust in settings. Review .cursor/ files before opening projects.

#3Code Suggestion Security Flaws

high

AI suggests vulnerable patterns: SQL injection, hardcoded secrets, weak auth.

Likelihood:high
Impact:high
Real-World Example

Research shows ~40% of AI code suggestions contain security issues.

Mitigation

Review all AI suggestions critically. Run security scans on generated code.

#4Privacy and Code Exfiltration

medium

Code sent to AI servers may expose proprietary logic or secrets.

Likelihood:medium
Impact:medium
Mitigation

Enable Privacy Mode. Use .cursorignore for sensitive files.

#5Supply Chain via Package Hallucination

high

AI suggests non-existent packages that attackers could register.

Likelihood:low
Impact:high
Real-World Example

LLMs hallucinate npm package names that attackers then create with malware.

Mitigation

Verify all package suggestions exist. Check package reputation before installing.

Who Is Most At Risk?

highProduction apps with user data

Real user data at risk of exposure

highApps processing payments

Financial and PCI compliance implications

highApps using third-party APIs

Exposed keys lead to abuse and charges

mediumInternal business tools

May contain sensitive business data

lowDemo and portfolio projects

Limited data but teaches insecure patterns

How to Reduce These Risks

Most Cursor security risks are preventable with proper configuration. The majority of vulnerabilities we find are not complex exploits—they're missing settings and exposed credentials that automated scanning catches instantly.

  • Run automated security scans before every deployment
  • Configure database access controls from day one
  • Store all secrets in environment variables
  • Enable email verification and strong password requirements
  • Add security headers to your hosting configuration
  • Review AI-generated code for security before accepting

Know Your Actual Risk Level

Stop guessing. Run a free scan to see which Cursor security risks actually affect your app.

Scan Your App Free

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the biggest security risks with Cursor?

The most critical Cursor risks are: exposed credentials/API keys, missing database access controls, and weak authentication. These account for the majority of real-world breaches in Cursor applications.

How likely is my Cursor app to be attacked?

If your app is public on the internet, it's being scanned constantly. Automated tools probe for common vulnerabilities within minutes of deployment. The question isn't if you'll be scanned, but whether attackers will find anything exploitable.

Can I use Cursor safely for production?

Yes, with proper security configuration. Cursor provides the tools for secure applications—you need to use them correctly. Configure access controls, manage secrets properly, add security headers, and scan before launch.

How do I reduce security risks in my Cursor app?

Start with a security scan to identify current vulnerabilities. Then: 1) Fix critical issues first (exposed secrets, missing access controls), 2) Enable email verification and strong passwords, 3) Add security headers, 4) Set up continuous scanning.

Are Cursor security risks different from other platforms?

The core risks are similar across vibe coding platforms—they all have exposed secrets, missing access controls, and auth weaknesses. Cursor-specific risks relate to its particular tech stack and default configurations.

What are the Cursor CVEs I should know about?

Key CVEs: CVE-2025-59944 (case-sensitivity file bypass), CVE-2025-54135 (CurXecute MCP RCE), CVE-2025-54136 (MCPoison persistent compromise). These primarily affect MCP integrations and workspace trust.

Last updated: January 16, 2026