Do you need help & advice with AI & Automation?
If your team is using AI to help write code, you need to be aware of some serious risks. Recent issues with popular tools like React and Next.js highlight how easy it is to accidentally use outdated libraries or incorrect configurations. AI might tell you something is secure, but that’s not always the case. It’s always a good idea to have someone experienced double-check the work and to run proper security scans. Keeping your software libraries up-to-date is also really important.
Key Takeaways
- AI can generate code that seems fine but contains security vulnerabilities.
- Using outdated libraries is a common problem, even with AI assistance.
- Always have a human expert review AI-generated code.
- Regularly scan your systems for vulnerabilities.
- Keep all software libraries and dependencies current.
The React and Next.js Wake-Up Call
Recently, some significant vulnerabilities popped up in NexJS and React. These aren’t small issues; they can have real consequences for businesses. I decided to check my own "secure my emails" tool, which was built using AI. It scans your email setup and gives you a security score. What it found was pretty eye-opening.
Instead of using the standard libraries from Cloudflare (where the site is hosted), some libraries had been hardcoded. While this didn’t necessarily make the configuration worse, it did mean the site was using older versions of these libraries. As it turns out, my site wasn’t vulnerable to the specific React issue because it was using an older version that didn’t have that particular flaw. It’s a bit of a strange situation, but it highlights a bigger point about using current software.
Understanding Vulnerability Scores
When we talk about how risky a vulnerability is, we often use scores like CVE and CVSS. These scores give us a number, usually from 1 to 10, to measure the potential danger. The recent issues have scored very high on this scale. The real problem is that traditional web designers with years of experience can usually spot these kinds of threats. However, junior developers or those relying heavily on AI might not recognize the risks. They could be putting your business in jeopardy without even realising it.
AI’s False Sense of Security
One of the most concerning aspects is that AI can confidently tell you that your code is secure when it’s actually not. I’ve heard from two different web design companies this month who thought they were taking cybersecurity seriously. Yet, they both had critical vulnerabilities on their web servers. It seems that even having certifications like ISO 27,001 or Cyber Essentials doesn’t automatically prevent these problems.
What Business Leaders Should Do
So, what’s the advice for business leaders? Don’t just take the AI’s word for it, or even the developer’s word, that everything is fine. You need to have someone with real expertise sanity-check the work. Make sure the company you’re working with is actually doing what they claim to be doing regarding security. It’s not always easy to make these decisions, but it’s vital. Don’t assume that just because something works, it’s secure. A hidden vulnerability could lead to a massive GDPR fine, and nobody wants that.
Keeping your systems and code up-to-date and having them reviewed by experienced professionals is the best way to protect your business from these growing risks.
