FiveM Server Security: Protecting Against Menu Exploits and Script Injection
FiveM RP servers attract a specific type of attacker: "menu users" running GTA modification menus that send unauthorized events to your server. Without security hardening, these exploits can spawn vehicles, give money, teleport players, or worse. Here is the hardening checklist.
Server-Side Event Validation
The most important security principle: never trust client-sent events. Any event your client scripts fire can be intercepted and fired by a malicious client with arbitrary data.
-- VULNERABLE: accepts money amount from client
RegisterNetEvent('bank:deposit')
AddEventHandler('bank:deposit', function(amount)
-- No validation! Attacker sends amount = 9999999
AddMoney(source, amount)
end)
-- SECURE: validate on server, use server-side state
RegisterNetEvent('bank:deposit')
AddEventHandler('bank:deposit', function(amount)
local src = source
-- Validate amount is a positive number within reasonable bounds
if type(amount) ~= 'number' or amount <= 0 or amount > GetPlayerCash(src) then
return -- drop invalid event silently
end
AddMoney(src, amount)
end)
ACE Permissions for Sensitive Events
FiveM's ACE permission system allows restricting which principals can fire specific events:
# In server.cfg
add_ace group.admin command.give_item allow
add_ace group.player command.give_item deny
Sensitive admin functions should always be gated behind ACE permission checks in script:
if not IsPlayerAceAllowed(source, 'give_item') then return end
Blocking Common Menu Exploits
Add to server.cfg:
# Disable sending native calls from client
setr sv_enforceGameBuild 2944
set sv_filterRequestControl 2 # Strict entity control filtering
# Block abuse natives
add_principal identifier.steam:your_steam_hex group.admin
Install the MenaceGuard or AntiCheat community resource. These actively monitor for common cheat signatures (rapid money events, vehicle spawn rate violations, teleportation patterns) and auto-kick offenders.
Database Injection Prevention
Never concatenate player input into SQL strings:
-- VULNERABLE to SQL injection:
MySQL.Async.execute('UPDATE players SET name = "' .. input .. '"')
-- SECURE with parameterized query:
MySQL.Async.execute('UPDATE players SET name = ? WHERE id = ?', {input, playerId})
All modern FiveM database resources (oxmysql) use prepared statements by default. Ensure you are following their parameterized query patterns.
Staff Background Checks
Technical exploits are one attack vector. Social engineering is another. New admin recruits should:
- Provide Discord account with visible history
- Start with limited permissions (spectate only)
- Escalate permissions after probationary period
More RP servers are destroyed by rogue admins than external attackers.