Securing Your Article API: Authentication & Authorization

Hey guys! Let's dive into how we can beef up the security of our existing article API. We're talking about implementing JWT verification and RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) middleware to protect our endpoints. This means making sure only authorized users can do certain things, like creating, updating, or deleting articles. This is a critical step in ensuring the integrity and security of our article management system. We'll be following a set of tasks to get this done, and I'll walk you through each step.

1. Overview: The Plan of Attack

So, what's the game plan? We're going to apply the implemented JWT verification and RBAC middleware to our existing article management API endpoints. This involves setting up which endpoints need authentication and who gets access to what. It's like setting up different doors with different keys for different users. Some doors are open to everyone (like reading articles), and others are only for the big bosses (admins).

We're leveraging the work we've already done on JWT validation and RBAC middleware. Think of JWT as a digital passport that proves who you are, and RBAC as the system that decides what you're allowed to do based on your role. By combining these, we can create a robust security layer for our API.

2. Prerequisites: Before We Get Started

Before we jump in, we need to make sure a couple of things are ready to go:

• JWT Verification Middleware: This should be implemented and functioning correctly. This is the foundation of our security system, ensuring that the tokens we receive are valid.
• RBAC Middleware: This must also be ready, as it will be used to determine the access rights of different users based on their roles.

These two pieces are essential; without them, we can't properly secure our API. It's like trying to build a house without a foundation or walls – it just won't work!

3. Task Breakdown: The Nitty-Gritty

Let's break down the tasks required to implement this security upgrade. This involves updating the routing configuration to apply the middleware to the correct endpoints and making sure that user IDs are automatically set during article creation.

3.1. Updating Routing Configuration

File: backend/api/article/internal/handler/router.go

This is where the magic happens! We're going to apply the middleware to each endpoint. This process involves defining which endpoints require authentication and which roles have access.

• Public Endpoints (No Authentication Required):

  • GET /article/v1/articles - List of articles
  • GET /article/v1/articles/{id} - Article details
  • GET /article/v1/categories - List of categories
  • GET /article/v1/tags - List of tags
  • GET /article/v1/search - Article search

  These endpoints will be accessible to anyone. No login is required to view articles, categories, tags, or search for content.

• Admin-Only Endpoints (Authentication and Admin Role Required):

  • POST /article/v1/articles - Create an article
  • PUT /article/v1/articles/{id} - Update an article
  • DELETE /article/v1/articles/{id} - Delete an article

  These endpoints are protected. Only users with the admin role will be allowed to create, update, or delete articles.

The main goal here is to make sure the correct middleware is applied to the right endpoints. We want to make sure that users who are not authenticated cannot perform actions that require authentication. We also want to ensure that only users who are admins can perform actions that require admin privileges.

3.2. Automatic author_id Setup

File: backend/api/article/internal/controller/articles/create.go

When a new article is created, we want to automatically set the author_id based on the user's JWT (specifically, the sub claim, which is their user ID). This means that when someone creates an article, their ID is automatically associated with it.

This step is crucial for tracking who created each article and is essential for moderation and content management.

4. Important Considerations: Things to Keep in Mind

There's a small hiccup we need to address. Currently, our articles table doesn't have an author_id column. We have two options:

1. Option A: Focus solely on the authentication implementation in this task and handle the author_id issue in a separate task. (Recommended)
2. Option B: Include a database migration to add the author_id column in this task. (Not Recommended)

We're going to go with Option A. This allows us to keep the current task focused on authentication and authorization, and we'll address the author_id column in another task. This approach helps to keep the scope of each task manageable and focused.

5. Acceptance Criteria: How We Know We've Succeeded

To make sure we've done a good job, we need to meet these criteria:

• Public Endpoints: Must be accessible without authentication.
• Admin-Only Endpoints: Only users with the admin group can access these.
• User Group Access: If a user from the user group attempts to access an admin endpoint, they should receive a 403 error (Forbidden).
• Invalid Token Access: If someone tries to access a protected endpoint with an invalid token, they should get a 401 error (Unauthorized).

Meeting these criteria ensures that the API is secure, and the right people have the right access.

6. Technical Specifications: Code Examples

Here's an example of how the middleware will be applied:

// Admin-only endpoint
r.With(auth.JWTMiddleware, auth.RequireAdmin).Post("/articles", articleController.Create)

// Public endpoint
r.Get("/articles", articleController.List)

In the first example, auth.JWTMiddleware ensures that the user is authenticated, and auth.RequireAdmin makes sure they have the admin role. In the second example, the endpoint is available to everyone because it doesn't use any middleware.

7. Conclusion: Wrapping It Up

Implementing JWT verification and RBAC middleware is a crucial step in securing our article API. By following these steps, we ensure that only authorized users can access and modify our content. This protects our data and maintains the integrity of our application. Remember, we are prioritizing security and making sure everything is locked down to prevent unauthorized access. This is more than just adding code, it's about providing users with a safe and reliable experience.

If you want to learn more, check out the OWASP website, which provides a ton of information on web application security.