Most surely, you have heard of vibe coding by now. But in case you have not, let me summarize it in a simple format for you. Vibe coding is a way of developing code using the help of Artificial Intelligence to increase the speed of development. While this innovation presents numerous benefits, it also poses significant risks, especially for less experienced developers who may not fully understand best coding practices. This article delves into the top risks associated with vibe coding and offers practical advice for mitigating these issues.
The Risks of Vibe Coding
Often, the problem with vibe coding is that the people who use these development techniques are not fully versed in development, hence, it does not always follow best practices, or can open the door to vulnerabilities. When we add the factor that AI can hallucinate, generating either pieces of code that are not needed or (one of the best known problems) referencing and using libraries that do not exist or do not perform the functions that the AI expected them to. This becomes a risk for your organization.
These are the main concerns that anyone should be aware when using vibe coding for any project:
- Lack of Best Practices:
Many developers utilizing vibe coding might not adhere to established coding standards and best practices. This situation could lead to insecure code that is difficult to maintain, causing long-term repercussions. Also, the rapid generation of code might neglect critical components or clear logic. AI engines can help you generate code faster, but often you still have to control the logic that goes into the program. - AI Hallucination:
AI technologies, particularly in coding, can sometimes produce inaccurate or irrelevant results—this phenomenon is known as “hallucination.” For example, the AI may suggest lines of code that reference libraries that do not exist or perform functions incorrectly. Such issues can introduce bugs into the application, impacting functionality and performance.
As a side note, there has been a new way of exploring code developed in recent years by registering libraries that are known as AI hallucinations. Meaning, AI can hallucinate the name of a library that does not exist. When attackers realize this, they can now develop a library that can be called; it might not perform the exact function that the AI envisioned, but it doesn’t need to, now that attackers have hundreds of machines executing their code, with minimal effort. - Data Exposure:
Insufficiently checked code can expose sensitive data, such as API keys and personal user information. When vibe coders overlook security protocols, they risk breaching confidentiality and violating regulations like GDPR. We all know how data leaks can damage a company ( financially or from a reputational standpoint). - Simplistic Exploits:
Without appropriate security measures, vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting may emerge. These can lead to unauthorized access or data manipulation, making applications susceptible to exploitation.
Addressing the Risks: Practical Advice
Vibe coding is not necessarily a bad thing; it can be rather useful for individuals with limited development experience or organizations that want to conduct rapid testing of ideas. The key is to manage the risks associated with vibe coding. Developers can take several proactive steps to enhance code quality and security:
- Educate Yourself and Your Team:
Continuous learning is essential. Developers should familiarize themselves with coding paradigms, best practices, and secure coding techniques. Encourage team members to participate in workshops or training sessions to keep their skills up-to-date. - Implement Robust Code Reviews:
Regular code reviews serve as an effective way to catch potential vulnerabilities early. Encouraging peers to scrutinize each other’s work can help identify issues that may have escaped individual notice. This collaborative approach not only improves the quality of the code but also helps create a culture of learning. - Incorporate Automated Security Tools:
Leverage automated security checkers and tools that analyze codebases for vulnerabilities. These tools can highlight potential security flaws, giving developers a chance to rectify them before release. If you work in a mature environment, you should be able to integrate these inspections into the deployment pipeline. - Establish Clear Documentation:
Maintaining comprehensive documentation, including the code’s purpose, functionality, and dependencies, is vital. This helps clarify the intent for future developers, making it easier to maintain and adapt the code over time. Proper documentation can also be beneficial during code reviews, helping reviewers understand the rationale behind specific decisions. - Stay Updated with Library Security:
Always ensure that external libraries are reputable and secure. Regularly verify the existence and use of the libraries, update dependencies and monitor for known vulnerabilities in the libraries you use. Version control systems can help manage these updates effectively, reducing the chances of incorporating insecure libraries into your codebase. - Adopt Safe Coding Practices:
This recommendation can overlap with the first piece of advice regarding education. But it is worth mentioning it as an independent point, highlighting security. Developers should always sanitize user inputs and validate data to prevent common vulnerabilities. Utilizing Prepared Statements for database queries and implementing proper authentication can significantly reduce the risk of exploits. Encourage a mindset of considering security with every line of code written.
Automated Risk Mitigation
Many organizations have recognized the challenges of vibe coding. For instance, one of the most extended vibe coding platforms, Lovable, has introduced specific security checks designed to assist coders using its platform. This is not an isolated case; Google has released Code Mender an AI agent for code security.
However, challenges remain. Lovable and other platforms have experienced criticisms, particularly regarding vulnerabilities related to Row Level Security (RLS) policies. These concerns highlight the importance of continual improvement in security measures, ensuring that every tool being used is reliable and secure.
Conclusion
The conversation surrounding vibe coding is growing within the developer community. Many express concerns that reliance on AI-driven coding could lead to the creation of applications with inherent security flaws. It is worth remembering that Vibe code and other AI-aided coding is far from perfect. Nevertheless, it has its place in the industry and can be extremely useful for some. We should focus on fostering an environment where developers prioritize security and understand the risks associated with using AI in coding rather than banning the idea altogether.
In conclusion, while vibe coding offers significant opportunities for accelerating the development process, developers need to remain vigilant about the associated risks. By adopting proactive measures and leveraging the security tools available, developers can effectively navigate the complexities of modern coding environments, ensuring both speed and security in their applications.
Additional Sources:
https://cybernews.com/security/this-vibe-coding-app-seriously-flawed/
https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/07/google-launches-its-ai-vibe-coding-app-opal-in-15-more-countries/
https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/introducing-codemender-an-ai-agent-for-code-security
