Basic Authentication in Node.js using HTTP Header

Basic Authentication is a simple authentication method where the client sends a username and password encoded in base64 format in the HTTP request header.The basic authentication in the Node.js application can be done with the help express.js framework. Express.js framework is mainly used in Node.js application because of its help in handling and routing different types of requests and responses made by the client using different Middleware. 

Working

HTTP WWW-Authenticate header is a response-type header and it serves as a support for various authentication mechanisms which are important to control access to pages and other resources as well.

Explanation of the Authentication:

Steps to Set up authentication using HTTP Header

Module Installation: Install the express module using the following command.

npm install express

Project structure:

Example: This example sets up a Node.js Express server with basic authentication, requiring clients to provide valid credentials before accessing static files in the public directory.

// Filename- index.js

// Requiring module
const express = require("express");
const fs = require("fs");
const path = require('path');

const app = express();

function authentication(req, res, next) {
    const authheader = req.headers.authorization;
    console.log(req.headers);

    if (!authheader) {
        let err = new Error('You are not authenticated!');
        res.setHeader('WWW-Authenticate', 'Basic');
        err.status = 401;
        return next(err)
    }

    const auth = new Buffer.from(authheader.split(' ')[1],
        'base64').toString().split(':');
    const user = auth[0];
    const pass = auth[1];

    if (user == 'admin' && pass == 'password') {

        // If Authorized user
        next();
    } else {
        let err = new Error('You are not authenticated!');
        res.setHeader('WWW-Authenticate', 'Basic');
        err.status = 401;
        return next(err);
    }

}

// First step is the authentication of the client
app.use(authentication)
app.use(express.static(path.join(__dirname, 'public')));

// Server setup
app.listen((3000), () => {
    console.log("Server is Running ");
})

Run index.js using the following command:

node index.js

• Open any browser with http://localhost:3000 location in a private window(in order to avoid a saved password and username). A pop will occur near the address bar. Fill in the username and password that are mention in the code.

• If the entered username and password match the mention, then location index.html will render on the browser.

Explanation: This middleware checks client authentication when accessing the server. Initially, it returns a 401 status code due to the absence of req.headers.authorization. The client then provides credentials, which are base64-encoded. The server decodes and verifies them; if correct, the next() method proceeds to the next middleware. If incorrect, the authentication prompt reappears.

Request Header Details: 

Conclusion

Basic Authentication in Node.js using HTTP headers provides a straightforward method for securing access to resources. By implementing a middleware function in an Express server, you can enforce authentication and protect sensitive areas of your application. For production use, consider securing the connection with HTTPS to protect credentials during transmission.