Secure Server Fetch

A secure, server-side HTTP client with built-in API key validation, rate limiting, and security features.

Features

• 🔒 Server-side only execution
• 🔑 API key validation and requirement
• ⏱️ Rate limiting with Redis
• 🔐 HTTPS enforcement
• ⚡ Request timeout handling
• 🛡️ Comprehensive error handling

Installation

npm install secure-server-fetch
# or
yarn add secure-server-fetch

Environment Variables Setup

Create a .env file in your project root:

UPSTASH_REDIS_REST_URL=your_redis_url
UPSTASH_REDIS_REST_TOKEN=your_redis_token

Both variables are required for rate limiting functionality. The Redis URL must be a valid HTTPS URL.

Usage Examples

Basic Fetch with API Key

import { secureServerFetch } from 'secure-server-fetch';

async function fetchData() {
  try {
    const data = await secureServerFetch('https://api.example.com/data', {
      apiKey: 'your-api-key',
      timeout: 5000, // 5 seconds
    });
    return data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Fetch failed:', error);
  }
}

API Key Validation

import { requireApiKey } from 'secure-server-fetch';

// In your API route handler
export async function handler(request: Request) {
  const apiKeyCheck = requireApiKey(request, 'your-expected-api-key');
  if (apiKeyCheck) {
    return apiKeyCheck; // Returns 401 response if validation fails
  }
  
  // Continue with your API logic
}

API Key Requirements

The API key validation enforces the following requirements:

• Length: Must be at least 32 characters long
• Character Set: Can only contain:
  • Uppercase letters (A-Z)
  • Lowercase letters (a-z)
  • Numbers (0-9)
  • Underscores (_)
  • Hyphens (-)
• Character Mix: Must contain at least:
  • One uppercase letter
  • One lowercase letter
  • One number

Error Responses

All error responses are returned in JSON format with appropriate HTTP status codes:

1. Missing API Key (Status: 401)

{
  "error": "API key is missing",
  "message": "Please provide 'x-api-key' header with a valid API key",
  "requirements": {
    "format": "Must be at least 32 characters long",
    "characters": "Can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens",
    "complexity": "Must contain at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number"
  }
}

2. Empty API Key (Status: 401)

{
  "error": "Empty API key",
  "message": "API key cannot be empty",
  "requirements": {
    "format": "Must be at least 32 characters long",
    "characters": "Can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens",
    "complexity": "Must contain at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number"
  }
}

3. Invalid Format (Status: 401)

{
  "error": "Invalid API key format",
  "message": "[Specific validation error message]",
  "requirements": {
    "format": "Must be at least 32 characters long",
    "characters": "Can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens",
    "complexity": "Must contain at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number"
  }
}

4. Invalid API Key (Status: 401)

{
  "error": "Invalid API key",
  "message": "The provided API key is not valid"
}

Rate Limiting

import { rateLimit } from 'secure-server-fetch';

async function handleRequest(request: Request) {
  try {
    const rateLimitResult = await rateLimit(request, 'unique-identifier', {
      maxRequests: 100,
      timeframeMs: 60000, // 1 minute
    });

    // Rate limit headers will be automatically included in rateLimitResult.headers
    
    // Your API logic here
    
  } catch (error) {
    if (error.name === 'RateLimitError') {
      return new Response('Rate limit exceeded', { status: 429 });
    }
  }
}

API Reference

secureServerFetch(url, options)

Makes a secure server-side HTTP request.

Options

• apiKey?: string - API key for authentication
• requireHttps?: boolean - Enforce HTTPS (default: true)
• timeout?: number - Request timeout in ms (default: 30000)
• ...RequestInit - All standard fetch options

requireApiKey(request, expectedKey)

Validates API key from request headers.

• request: Request - Incoming request object
• expectedKey: string - The API key to validate against

rateLimit(request, identifier, options)

Implements rate limiting for requests.

Options

• maxRequests: number - Maximum requests allowed
• timeframeMs: number - Time window in milliseconds
• prefix?: string - Redis key prefix

Security Best Practices

1. API Keys

   • Use keys at least 32 characters long
   • Include mix of uppercase, lowercase, and numbers
   • Rotate keys periodically
   • Store keys securely in environment variables

2. Rate Limiting

   • Implement rate limiting on all public endpoints
   • Use unique identifiers (e.g., IP, user ID)
   • Set appropriate limits based on endpoint sensitivity

3. HTTPS

   • Always use HTTPS in production
   • Only disable HTTPS requirement in development

4. Error Handling

   • Never expose internal errors to clients
   • Use provided error classes for consistent handling
   • Log errors securely

Error Handling

The library provides specific error classes:

• ServerSideError: For client-side execution attempts
• NetworkError: For network and HTTP errors
• ValidationError: For input validation failures
• RateLimitError: For rate limit violations

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please read our contributing guidelines and submit pull requests.

License

MIT