Скачать или смотреть Implementing NGINX Rate Limiting Using Decoded JWT Values

Learn how to effectively use `NGINX` rate limiting with JWT tokens to enhance your web application's performance and security.
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Implementing NGINX Rate Limiting Using Decoded JWT Values

When it comes to managing traffic to your web applications, rate limiting is a crucial feature. It helps prevent abuse and ensures fair usage among users. In scenarios where JWT (JSON Web Tokens) are employed for authentication, many users encounter a question: "How can we apply rate limiting based on the decoded values of a JWT token in NGINX?"

While the NGINX documentation may not directly address this need, there are several effective methods you can use to implement rate limiting based on JWT values. In this guide, we will explore three distinct approaches to achieve this, along with example configurations for each.

Why Use JWT for Rate Limiting?

JWT tokens are compact, URL-safe tokens that can contain claims about the user. These claims can be used to dynamically adjust rate limiting based on specific user attributes rather than merely relying on IP address-based limitations.

Method 1: Using JWT in limit_req_zone

In this method, we directly utilize the JWT token in the limit_req_zone directive. This is a straightforward approach that allows us to rate limit based on the token itself.

Example Configuration

Open your nginx.conf file and define the limit_req_zone with the JWT:

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Define your server block in conf.d/default.conf:

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Method 2: Send Decoded JWT Value in Request Header

Alternatively, you can send the decoded JWT value as a custom request header from the frontend. This allows NGINX to use that header directly for rate limiting.

Example Configuration

Again, set up your limit_req_zone, but this time use a custom header:

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Update your server block in conf.d/default.conf:

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Method 3: Decode JWT in NGINX Using the njs Module

For those who prefer a more advanced approach, you can decode the JWT token within NGINX using the njs JavaScript module. This gives you greater flexibility to extract specific values from the token.

Example Configuration

Create a JavaScript file (jwt_example.js) for decoding:

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Load the njs module and set up your nginx.conf:

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Enhance your server block in conf.d/default.conf:

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Conclusion

Implementing rate limiting in NGINX based on JWT values can significantly enhance your application's security and performance. Whether you choose to use the JWT directly in the limit_req_zone, send a decoded value via a custom header, or use the njs module to decode it on the fly, there are flexible approaches to fit your needs.

Explore these methods and choose the one that best suits your environment and user requirements. Effective rate limiting not only protects your server from abuse but also ensures a smooth experience for all legitimate users.