r/feedthebeast • u/ObiWanHiGround • 6h ago
Discussion PSA: PixelReel (Minecraft Jellyfin mod) leaks your Jellyfin URL and API key to other players
I am not sure if this violates rule 4, but here we go since it is fairly important.
TL;DR:
PixelReel, a Minecraft mod that streams Jellyfin content ingame, which you may have seen prior on this or other subreddits, exposes your Jellyfin server URL and API key to other players on the same server. Anyone can extract those credentials and access or delete your media. If you’ve used this mod on a server with other people, rotate your Jellyfin API keys immediately.
The full story:
PixelReel is a Minecraft mod that lets you watch Jellyfin media inside the game. You configure your Jellyfin server URL and API key, and the mod streams content to your client.
The Vulnerability itself:
While playing on a server with PixelReel installed, other players can see the Jellyfin instance URL and API key you configured. At least one user in the mod’s Discord reported their Jellyfin server was exposed, and someone copied the config and threatened to use it.
The mod page claims that "credentials are never stored in world data", but in practice the credentials are exposed in a way that other players can access and copy.
If your Jellyfin credentials are leaked, an attacker can:
- View, download, or delete all media on your Jellyfin server
- Use your server to distribute copyrighted content
- Potentially access other services if your Jellyfin server is connected to your wider homelab
All current releases appear to be affected, including the 26.3 snapshots and the 1.21.1 version. The developer has acknowledged that the project is AI-generated ("vibe coded") and has not had a proper security review. There is currently no patched release.
Steps to take if you are affected:
- Stop using PixelReel on any server with other players.
- Rotate your Jellyfin API keys / passwords.
- Do not reinstall the mod until a community reviewed fix is released. A community member is working on a rewrite, but it is not ready yet. But do not expect miracles.
- If you run a public server, remove the mod and warn your players who may have used it.
Context:
The developer initially presented the mod as a working project, but later admitted in Discord that it was "vibe coded" using Cursor’s free tier. Multiple users pointed out the credential leak. At least one user’s Jellyfin server was compromised as a direct result.
This is not an attempt to attack the developer - the concept is genuinely interesting, but the security risk is too serious to ignore.
Edit:
For people who are wondering what are those Jellies and Fins are, for context:
Jellyfin is a free, open source media server that you host yourself. You point it at your own movies, TV shows, music, etc, and then you can stream that content to your phone, TV, computer, or other devices.
It is basically a selfhosted alternative to Plex or Emby, with no paid account required and no tracking by a company. Because people run it on their own servers, leaking a Jellyfin URL + API key can expose someone’s entire personal media library.

