Web3 API Security

Security best practices for Web3 applications. Protect your dApps and smart contracts from common vulnerabilities and attack vectors.

Common Web3 Vulnerabilities

  • Reentrancy - Recursive calls allowing multiple withdrawals
  • Integer Overflow - Math errors in token calculations
  • Front-Running - MEV bots extracting value
  • Access Control - Unauthorized function calls
  • Oracle Manipulation - Fake price feeds

API Security Best Practices

1. Never Expose Private Keys

Use environment variables, never commit secrets to git.

2. Rate Limiting

Implement API rate limits to prevent abuse.

3. Input Validation

Validate all user inputs and on-chain data.

4. Use Multi-Sig

Require multiple approvals for sensitive operations.

Smart Contract Security

  • Checks-Effects-Interactions - Update state before external calls
  • Pull Over Push - Let users withdraw rather than sending
  • Timelocks - Delay critical parameter changes
  • Pausable - Emergency stop functionality

Security Tools

  • Slither - Static analyzer for Solidity
  • Hardhat - Contract testing framework
  • Tenderly - Transaction simulation
  • OpenZeppelin - Battle-tested contracts
  • Certik - Security audits

Never Store Private Keys in Frontend Code

Always use wallet browsers extensions or mobile wallets for signing. Never embed seed phrases or private keys in your application code.

Security Audit Checklist

  • Code review by multiple developers
  • Automated static analysis
  • Formal verification (if possible)
  • Testnet deployment and testing
  • Bug bounty program
  • Timelock on mainnet changes

Start Building Securely

Use Tenderly for Debugging DeFi API Guide