Every time a wave of security vulnerabilities is disclosed, the same questions resurface:

Is React dying? Is Next.js insecure? Should we switch to Angular?

At first glance, these look like purely technical questions. In reality, they are questions about ecosystem maturity, developer responsibility, and long-term career strategy.

This article does not argue that security vulnerabilities are irrelevant. It argues something more uncomfortable:

Security vulnerabilities won't kill React. Ignoring them will kill your career.

A Security Vulnerability ≠ An Insecure Framework

Let's fix the perception first.

Frameworks with publicly reported vulnerabilities are not weak — they are visible.

React and Next.js:

• Are used at massive scale
• Power large enterprises
• Are constantly audited
• Have vulnerabilities reported quickly and transparently

That's why:

You hear about more React/Next.js vulnerabilities — not because they are worse, but because more people are looking.

Less talked-about frameworks:

• Are audited less
• Report fewer issues

That does not mean they are safer.

Silence is not security.

Where Do React & Next.js Security Issues Really Come From?

Here's the uncomfortable truth:

Most vulnerabilities are not framework flaws — they are developer mistakes.

Common causes:

• Outdated dependencies
• Unsafe HTML rendering
• Misconfigured cookies
• Trusting user input during
• Weak API route validation
• Poor authentication and session handling

To understand this better, let's clarify these terms.

🔐 XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)

XSS is a vulnerability where an attacker injects malicious JavaScript into your page, and that script runs in your users' browsers.

With XSS, attackers can:

• Steal session cookies
• Perform actions as the user
• Modify the page content
• Capture sensitive data

React escapes JSX by default. But the moment you use things like dangerouslySetInnerHTML, you bypass that protection.

If user input touches HTML, XSS risk exists.

🔁 CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery)

CSRF allows attackers to perform actions on behalf of a logged-in user without stealing their credentials.

This is especially dangerous in Next.js apps that use cookie-based authentication.

A user logs into your app. While browsing another site, a hidden request triggers something like:

POST /change-email

The browser automatically sends cookies, and the action succeeds.

Protection requires:

• CSRF tokens
• Proper SameSite cookie configuration
• Secure auth libraries (e.g., NextAuth)

🖥️ SSR (Server-Side Rendering) Is Not Private

SSR (Server-Side Rendering) means pages are generated on the server and sent as HTML to the browser. In Next.js, this is commonly done with:

getServerSideProps

Developers often assume:

"It's server-side, so it's secret."

Wrong.

Anything returned in props:

• Appears in the HTML
• Is visible in page source
• Can be read by anyone

SSR does not provide secrecy.

🍪 SameSite Cookies

SameSite is a cookie setting that controls whether cookies are sent with cross-site requests.

It is one of the simplest and most effective protections against CSRF.

Wrong configuration = CSRF vulnerability.

🧱 CSP (Content Security Policy)

CSP is a browser security rule that defines which sources are allowed to run scripts on your page.

It can block entire classes of XSS attacks even if you make mistakes in your code.

Most React/Next.js projects never configure CSP, even though it is one of the strongest protections available.

🧩 Dependency Vulnerabilities

You didn't write all your code. Your npm packages did.

A dependency vulnerability means one of those libraries has a known security flaw.

Attackers often target these instead of your custom code.

That's why tools like:

• npm audit
• Dependabot
• Snyk

are critical.

Most real-world compromises come from known issues that were never patched.

Is Angular Actually More Secure?

Yes — in a specific sense.

Angular feels safer because it is:

• Opinionated
• Restrictive
• Protective by default

Why Angular appears safer:

• Automatic XSS protection
• Escaped templates
• Restricted DOM access
• Built-in CSRF handling
• Enforced TypeScript usage

Angular prevents many common mistakes before they happen.

But this does not guarantee:

• Correct authentication design
• Secure backend validation
• Proper CSP configuration
• Safe secret management

Angular applications get hacked too — just usually by more advanced mistakes.

Security Comparison: React vs Next.js vs Angular

React

• Security is the developer's responsibility
• Extremely flexible
• Very powerful in senior hands
• Most dangerous for inexperienced teams

Next.js

• React + backend responsibilities
• High security potential
• High misconfiguration risk
• Correct setup → extremely secure
• Incorrect setup → catastrophic

Angular

• Secure by default
• Strong guardrails
• Lower chance of accidental vulnerabilities
• Slower development and less flexibility

The Ideal Learning Path for Beginners

1️⃣ Start with React 2️⃣ Move to Next.js (SSR, API routes, cookies, auth) 3️⃣ Learn security in parallel:

• XSS & CSRF
• Input validation
• Dependency risks
• Authentication strategies
• Cookie hardening
• Security headers & CSP

A developer who follows this path:

• Is strong in React
• Safe in Next.js
• Adaptable to Angular if needed

Final Thoughts

React and Next.js will not lose popularity.

But careless usage will lose credibility.

Angular is not "more secure" — it is more protective. React is not "unsafe" — it is more trusting.

For beginners:

React & Next.js are still the most rational choice. But security ignorance is no longer acceptable.

Frameworks can be learned in months. Security mindset takes years — and defines real seniority.

Call to Action

If this article made you rethink how you approach React, Next.js, or security:

👏 Clap to support practical security awareness for developers 🔁 Share this with your team or a developer who is choosing their first framework 🧠 Follow me for more real-world engineering and security insights

And most importantly:

Go back to one of your old projects today and ask yourself:

"Where did I trust the framework instead of thinking about security?"

Because frameworks don't create vulnerabilities.

Developers do.

References & Further Reading

• OWASP Top 10 Web Application Security Risks
• React Security Best Practices (React Docs)
• Next.js Security Recommendations (Vercel Docs)
• Angular Security Guide (Angular Official Docs)
• MDN Web Docs — Content Security Policy (CSP)
• Google Web Fundamentals — Secure Web Development
• Node.js Security Best Practices
• "The Tangled Web" — Michal Zalewski