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Security - Protecting Your Applications and Data

· 3 min read
Vitor
Vitor
Front End Engineer @

Feature Flags Security - Protecting Your Applications and Data​

Feature flags are powerful tools that can significantly enhance your development workflow, but they also introduce new security considerations. Whether you're implementing feature flags in React, Node.js, Angular, Vue, or React Native applications, understanding and implementing proper security measures is crucial for protecting your applications and user data.

Understanding Feature Flag Security Risks​

Feature flags create new attack surfaces and potential vulnerabilities that developers must address:

1. API Key Exposure​

Exposing your feature flag API keys can allow attackers to manipulate your application's behavior.

2. Privilege Escalation​

Improperly configured flags might grant unauthorized access to premium features or administrative functions.

3. Data Leakage​

Feature flags that control data access could inadvertently expose sensitive information.

4. Logic Bypass​

Attackers might exploit flag logic to bypass security controls or business rules.

// ❌ NEVER expose API keys in frontend code
const badExample = {
  apiKey: "fp_live_secret_key_12345", // This will be visible to users!
};

// ✅ Use environment variables and proper key types
const goodExample = {
  apiKey: process.env.FLAGPOLE_PUBLIC_KEY, // Public key for frontend
};