Demystifying OAuth Security: State vs. Nonce vs. PKCE
Published: (March 13, 2026 at 12:17 PM EDT)
1 min read
Source: Dev.to
Source: Dev.to
Confused by the random strings in your OAuth URLs? You aren’t alone. Many developers think state, nonce, and code challenge (PKCE) are redundant—but skipping just one could leave your users’ accounts wide open to attackers like “Eve.” In this video, Jess Temporal breaks down why these three parameters are like three different locks on three different doors. We’ll look at real‑world attack scenarios and show you exactly how each one keeps your app secure.
The State Parameter
How to prevent Cross‑Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks.
The Nonce Parameter
Why ID tokens need protection against replay attacks.
PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange)
Protecting mobile and single‑page apps from authorization code injection.
Implementation Strategy
Why you should use all three instead of picking just one.