Firebase is a tool from Google that helps developers build apps faster. It gives features like login, database, and file storage. But many beginners make one big mistake: they upload their secret credentials online, especially the file called firebase_credentials.json.
Why This File Is Important
The file firebase_credentials.json contains secret information like:
- Project ID
- Private key
- Service account email
This file is like the password to your Firebase project. If someone else gets it, they can control your Firebase.
What Could Go Wrong?
If an attacker gets this file, they can:
- Read or change your database (user data, messages, etc.)
- Upload or delete files in your Firebase Storage
- Run server functions if permissions are open
- In short: they can break your app
In some cases, they might even use your Firebase project for phishing or hosting malware.
How Do These Files Get Leaked?
Here are common mistakes developers make:
- Upload to GitHub by accident
- Leave the file on the web server (and Google indexes it)
- Public cloud buckets with no access control
- Share links with Wayback Machine indexed
How to Protect Your Firebase
- Never upload
firebase_credentials.jsonto GitHub - Add it to
.gitignoreso it’s never tracked - If it’s already leaked, revoke and regenerate it
- Use strict Firebase security rules
- Always check who has access to your Firebase project
Final Words
This isn’t just a small mistake. Leaking your Firebase credentials means giving strangers the key to your app. Be careful with secret files, treat them like your password: don’t share, don’t upload, and don’t forget.
