Supabase

Supabase Security Risks

Know the risks before you deploy. Understanding Supabase 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. Supabase 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.

Supabase Security Risks

#1Tables Without RLS

critical

Any table without RLS enabled is fully exposed via the public API.

Likelihood:high
Impact:critical
Real-World Example

This is the #1 vulnerability in Supabase apps, affecting majority of vibe-coded projects.

Mitigation

ALTER TABLE name ENABLE ROW LEVEL SECURITY; on every table.

#2Service Role Key Exposure

critical

The service_role key bypasses all RLS and grants admin access.

Likelihood:medium
Impact:critical
Mitigation

Never use service_role in frontend. Keep it server-side only. Rotate if exposed.

#3Permissive RLS Policies

high

Policies that allow more access than intended (e.g., any authenticated user).

Likelihood:medium
Impact:high
Mitigation

Use (select auth.uid()) = user_id pattern. Test policies with different contexts.

#4Unprotected RPC Functions

high

Database functions callable without authentication.

Likelihood:medium
Impact:high
Mitigation

Add auth.uid() IS NOT NULL checks at the start of all functions.

#5Storage Bucket Exposure

medium

Storage buckets without policies allow public read/write.

Likelihood:medium
Impact:medium
Mitigation

Configure storage policies to require authentication and ownership.

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 Supabase 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 Supabase security risks actually affect your app.

Scan Your App Free

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the biggest security risks with Supabase?

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

How likely is my Supabase 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 Supabase safely for production?

Yes, with proper security configuration. Supabase 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 Supabase 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 Supabase 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. Supabase-specific risks relate to its particular tech stack and default configurations.

Last updated: January 16, 2026