Vibe Coding Security: The Complete Guide
AI code generation is transforming how we build software. But 45% of AI-generated code contains security vulnerabilities. This guide covers everything you need to know about securing your vibe-coded applications.
Table of Contents
What is Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding is a term coined by AI researcher Andrej Karpathy in February 2025 to describe building software using AI code generation tools. Instead of writing code line by line, developers describe what they want in natural language, and AI generates the code.
"There's a new kind of coding I call 'vibe coding', where you fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists."
Popular vibe coding tools include:
- Full-stack app builders: Bolt.new, Lovable, v0.dev, Replit Agent
- AI code editors: Cursor, Windsurf, Cody
- Code assistants: GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, ChatGPT
While vibe coding dramatically accelerates development, it introduces security risks because AI models are trained to generate functional code, not secure code. The AI optimizes for features that work, not for defense-in-depth security practices.
Vibe Coding Security Statistics
Research from ETH Zurich, Wiz, and industry analysts reveals concerning patterns in AI-generated code security:
of AI-generated code contains OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities
Source: BaxBench/ETH Zurich 2025
of vibe-coded apps have serious security flaws
Source: Wiz Research 2025
insecure code rate across top foundation models
Source: Industry Analysis 2025
compile success rate (up from 20% in 2023)
Source: AI Code Quality Report
The Core Problem
AI models have improved dramatically at generating code that compiles and runs (90% success rate), but the security of that code hasn't improved. The models optimize for functionality, not security.
Common Vulnerabilities in Vibe-Coded Apps
These are the most common security issues we find when scanning AI-generated applications:
Exposed Secrets & API Keys
Learn moreAI often hardcodes API keys directly in frontend JavaScript where anyone can extract them.
Missing Database Security
Learn moreDatabase tables created without Row Level Security (RLS) or proper security rules.
Authentication Flaws
Learn moreWeak or missing authentication that allows unauthorized access to protected resources.
Missing Security Headers
Learn moreHTTP security headers that protect against XSS, clickjacking, and other attacks.
Injection Vulnerabilities
Learn moreUser input passed directly to queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
IDOR & Access Control
Learn moreInsecure Direct Object References allowing users to access other users' data.
Platform-Specific Security Guides
Each AI coding platform has unique security considerations. Choose your platform for detailed guidance:
Security Best Practices
Do
Don't
Related Security Guides
Vibe Coding Security Guide
Best practices for AI development
Security Checklist
Pre-launch security checklist
Is Vibe Coding Safe?
Risk assessment and mitigation
Vibe Coding Best Practices
Secure development patterns
Common Vulnerabilities
Vulnerability deep-dives
Vibe Coding Dangers
Real-world security incidents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vibe coding?
Vibe coding is building software using AI code generation tools like Bolt.new, Lovable, Cursor, Replit, and v0.dev. Instead of writing code manually, you describe what you want in natural language, and AI generates the code. The term was coined by Andrej Karpathy in February 2025.
Is vibe coding safe?
Vibe coding tools themselves are generally safe to use, but the code they generate often contains security vulnerabilities. Studies show 45% of AI-generated code has OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities. The risk isn't the tool - it's deploying AI-generated code without security review.
What are the biggest security risks in vibe-coded apps?
The top risks are: 1) Exposed API keys in client-side code, 2) Missing database access controls (RLS/security rules), 3) No input validation or sanitization, 4) Missing security headers, 5) Broken authentication. These occur because AI optimizes for functionality, not security.
How do I secure my AI-generated app before deploying?
1) Move all secrets to environment variables, 2) Enable RLS on Supabase or security rules on Firebase, 3) Add security headers (CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options), 4) Validate all user inputs server-side, 5) Run an automated security scan with VAS to catch issues AI introduced.
Is Bolt.new safe to use for production apps?
Bolt.new is safe for prototyping, but its generated code often has security gaps: hardcoded API keys, missing RLS policies, and no security headers. Before deploying to production, you must review the security configuration and scan for vulnerabilities.
What vulnerabilities do AI coding tools commonly create?
AI models are trained on code that works, not code that's secure. Common mistakes include: using deprecated cryptographic functions, hardcoding secrets, missing authorization checks, trusting client-side input, and generating SQL/NoSQL injection vulnerabilities.
How can I scan my vibe-coded app for security issues?
Use VAS (Vibe App Scanner) to automatically scan your deployed application. It checks for exposed secrets, tests database security (Supabase RLS, Firebase rules), analyzes security headers, and identifies auth vulnerabilities. Scans take 5-25 minutes depending on depth.
Do I need to know security to use vibe coding safely?
Basic security knowledge helps, but tools like VAS can identify issues even if you're not a security expert. The key is: never deploy AI-generated code directly to production without some form of security review - either manual, automated scanning, or both.
Secure Your Vibe-Coded App
Don't become part of the 45% statistic. Scan your AI-generated application for security vulnerabilities before it's too late.