Upstash Security Checklist
Last updated: January 12, 2026
Use this checklist to ensure your Upstash application is secure before launch. 3 critical items require immediate attention.
Why This Security Checklist Matters
Security checklists serve as systematic guides for identifying vulnerabilities that might otherwise be overlooked during rapid development cycles. For Upstash applications specifically, this checklist addresses the most common security gaps that emerge when using AI-assisted development workflows.
Research from multiple security organizations indicates that approximately 80% of AI-built applications contain at least one exploitable vulnerability at launch. The vulnerabilities are often predictable—they follow patterns that this checklist is designed to catch. By systematically reviewing each item, you significantly reduce the risk of launching an insecure application.
Unlike generic security checklists, this guide focuses specifically on vulnerabilities prevalent in Upstash applications. Each item has been prioritized based on real-world attack patterns and the potential impact of exploitation. Critical items should be addressed before any production deployment.
Critical Priority
Critical items can lead to complete application compromise, data breaches, or unauthorized access to all user accounts. These must be addressed before deploying to production. Attackers actively scan for these vulnerabilities.
High Priority
High priority items represent significant security risks that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionality. While not immediately catastrophic, these vulnerabilities should be fixed as soon as possible.
Medium/Low Priority
Medium and low priority items strengthen your overall security posture. While they may not be immediately exploitable, addressing them prevents attack chains and defense-in-depth gaps.
Manual vs Automated Security Checking
While manual security reviews are thorough, they're time-consuming and prone to human error. Automated scanning catches common vulnerabilities instantly, freeing you to focus on business logic and complex security decisions.
Items VAS Automates
- Exposed API keys and secrets in JavaScript bundles
- HTTP security header configuration
- Supabase RLS policy testing
- Firebase Security Rules validation
- Cookie security attributes
Manual Review Still Required
- Business logic vulnerabilities
- Custom authentication implementations
- Access control logic in API routes
- Data validation requirements
- Third-party integration security
Authentication
Protect Redis credentials
AutoStore Upstash REST URL and token in environment variables
Use read-only tokens where possible
For read-only workloads, use read-only tokens
Rotate tokens periodically
Regularly rotate authentication tokens
Separate tokens per environment
Use different tokens for dev, staging, production
Data Security
Don't store sensitive data without encryption
Redis data is accessible with credentials - encrypt sensitive values
Use TLS for connections
Upstash uses TLS by default - ensure your client supports it
Set appropriate TTLs
Configure expiration for temporary data
Monitor data access patterns
Review usage for unusual access patterns
Rate Limiting Security
Implement rate limiting correctly
Use Upstash's rate limiting SDK for proper implementation
Choose appropriate limits
Set limits that protect your app without blocking legitimate users
Handle rate limit errors gracefully
Return appropriate error responses when limits are hit
Monitor rate limit triggers
Track when limits are hit to tune appropriately
Kafka/QStash Security
Secure webhook endpoints
Verify Upstash signatures on incoming webhooks
Don't expose queue credentials
AutoKeep Kafka and QStash tokens server-side only
Validate message contents
Don't trust message payloads - validate before processing
Configure DLQ for failed messages
Set up dead-letter queues for reliable processing
Don't Check Manually
VAS automatically checks 2 of these 16 items. Get instant results with detailed remediation guidance.
Run Automated Security ScanFrequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between critical and high priority items?
Critical items represent immediate security risks that could lead to data breach if not addressed - like missing database access controls or exposed secrets. High priority items are important but typically require an additional vulnerability to exploit.
Can I skip low priority items?
Low priority items provide defense-in-depth but aren't immediate risks. Address all critical and high items before launch. Low items can be added post-launch, but shouldn't be ignored entirely - they protect against edge cases and future vulnerabilities.
How often should I re-run this checklist?
Re-run after major feature additions, authentication changes, or new database tables. Set up automated scanning with VAS to catch regressions. Many teams integrate security scans into their CI/CD pipeline for continuous verification.
What does 'Auto-Scanned' mean on checklist items?
Items marked 'Auto-Scanned' can be automatically verified by VAS. Instead of manually checking each item, run a VAS scan to instantly verify these items against your deployed application. Non-automated items require manual verification.