---
url: 'https://www.corbado.com/faq/can-passkeys-created-by-third-party-providers-be-compromised'
title: 'Can passkeys created by 3rd-party providers be compromised?'
description: 'Explore whether passkeys created by third-party providers can be compromised and what security risks they may face.
'
lang: 'en'
---

# Can passkeys created by 3rd-party providers be compromised?

## Can Passkeys Created by 3rd-Party Providers Be Compromised?

While **passkeys are designed to be highly secure**, those created and stored by
**third-party passkey providers** could be **compromised** under certain conditions. The
risk level depends on **encryption practices, storage methods, and security
implementations**.

### Potential Security Risks for Third-Party Passkey Providers

1. **Cloud Storage Vulnerabilities**
    - Many third-party providers store passkeys in **cloud-based vaults**, which, if
      improperly secured, may become targets for **data breaches**.
    - Strong **end-to-end encryption** minimizes risk, but if the provider suffers a
      **data leak**, attackers might attempt decryption.

2. **Master Password or Weak Account Security**
    - Some third-party password managers use a **master password** to encrypt passkeys.
    - If a user reuses or chooses a weak password, an attacker could compromise the entire
      vault via **credential stuffing** or **brute-force attacks**.

3. **Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks**
    - Attackers could trick users into **exposing their vault access credentials** via
      [phishing](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/phishing) emails or fake login portals.
    - Unlike **first-party providers** (Apple
      [iCloud Keychain](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/icloud-keychain),
      [Google Password Manager](https://www.corbado.com/blog/how-to-use-google-password-manager)), third-party
      providers **may not be tightly integrated into device security**, making them **more
      susceptible to social engineering attacks**.

4. **Provider Infrastructure Breaches**
    - If a third-party provider’s **server infrastructure** is hacked, attackers could
      attempt to decrypt stored passkeys.
    - Many reputable providers use **zero-knowledge encryption**, meaning even they
      **cannot access stored passkeys**, but **not all providers follow this standard**.

5. **Malware or Device-Level Attacks**
    - If a user's **device is compromised** (e.g., keyloggers,
      [malware](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/malware), or rootkits), stored passkeys may be at risk.
    - First-party providers often leverage **secure hardware elements (TPMs, Secure
      Enclaves)** to protect passkeys, while some third-party providers rely on
      **software-only encryption**.

### How to Mitigate These Risks

- **Use Providers with Zero-Knowledge Encryption**: Ensure that even the provider **cannot
  decrypt stored passkeys**.
- **Enable Biometric Authentication**: Choose a provider that **requires biometric
  authentication** for passkey access.
- **Avoid Weak Master Passwords**: If the provider uses a master password, choose a
  strong, unique one and enable **multi-factor authentication (MFA)**.
- **Verify the Provider’s Security Practices**: Check if they comply with **FIDO2,
  WebAuthn, and industry security standards**.

### Conclusion

While **third-party passkey providers** offer **flexibility and cross-platform access**,
their **security depends on implementation**. Users should **choose providers carefully,
enable additional security layers, and follow best practices** to minimize risks.

## Read the full article