Is Retool Safe?
Retool has enterprise-grade platform security with SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance. However, it connects directly to your databases - misconfigured permissions can expose sensitive data to internal users.
Internal Tool Risk Profile
Retool connects directly to production databases. While the platform is secure, overly permissive RBAC or database connections can allow internal users to access or modify data they shouldn't. Principle of least privilege is essential.
Common Security Issues
Overpermissive Database Access
Using database credentials with full access instead of read-only where appropriate exposes data to modification risks.
Weak RBAC Configuration
Giving all users admin access or not scoping permissions per app defeats the purpose of access control.
Custom JavaScript Risks
Custom JS transformers can process sensitive data insecurely or introduce vulnerabilities.
Query Injection
Building queries with user input without proper parameterization can lead to SQL injection.
Security Assessment
Strengths
- + SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA compliance
- + SSO and 2FA support
- + Comprehensive audit logging
- + Role-based access control (RBAC)
- + Self-hosted option available
- + Granular permissions per app
Concerns
- - Database access requires careful configuration
- - Overly permissive RBAC is common
- - Custom JavaScript can introduce vulnerabilities
- - Direct database connections increase risk
- - Query permissions need careful scoping
The Verdict
Retool as a platform has excellent enterprise security with SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance. The security risk is primarily in configuration - database permissions, RBAC setup, and query construction. Use read-only database connections where possible, configure granular RBAC, enable audit logging, and review all queries for injection risks.
Related Resources
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