How do I get the domain originating the request (of the front-end) in NestJS

2 min read 06-10-2024
How do I get the domain originating the request (of the front-end) in NestJS


Unveiling the Source: How to Obtain the Front-End Domain in NestJS

The Challenge:

Have you ever found yourself needing to know the domain from which a front-end application is sending requests to your NestJS backend? It might be crucial for various reasons, like implementing user authentication, targeted advertising, or simply logging the origin of requests.

Rephrasing the Problem:

Imagine your NestJS server is like a bustling restaurant. You want to know the address of the restaurant sending you customers (front-end requests). This information can help you personalize service and tailor your offerings.

The Solution:

NestJS, with its robust middleware capabilities, offers a straightforward way to extract the domain from incoming requests. Here's a breakdown:

Scenario:

Let's assume you're building a NestJS application that needs to log the domain of each incoming request for security and debugging purposes.

Original Code:

import { Injectable, NestMiddleware } from '@nestjs/common';
import { Request, Response, NextFunction } from 'express';

@Injectable()
export class LoggingMiddleware implements NestMiddleware {
  use(req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) {
    // Get the domain from the request
    const domain = req.get('origin');
    // Log the domain
    console.log(`Request from domain: ${domain}`);
    next();
  }
}

Analysis and Explanation:

The req.get('origin') method within the LoggingMiddleware extracts the Origin header from the incoming request. This header usually contains the domain of the front-end application making the request.

Additional Insights:

  • Security Considerations: While the Origin header is generally reliable, it's crucial to sanitize and validate user input, especially when handling sensitive information like domain names.
  • Alternative Headers: If the Origin header is not available or is unreliable, you could explore other request headers like Referer or Host for similar information.
  • Middleware Integration: You can seamlessly integrate this middleware into your NestJS application by registering it in your main.ts file.

Optimized Code with Enhanced Logging:

import { Injectable, NestMiddleware } from '@nestjs/common';
import { Request, Response, NextFunction } from 'express';

@Injectable()
export class LoggingMiddleware implements NestMiddleware {
  use(req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) {
    const domain = req.get('origin') || 'Unknown'; // Handle missing header
    console.log(`Request received from: ${domain}`);
    next();
  }
}

Key Takeaways:

  • NestJS provides easy-to-use middleware for handling incoming requests and extracting relevant information like the domain.
  • Security is paramount. Always validate and sanitize user input to prevent potential vulnerabilities.
  • You can leverage different request headers to obtain the desired information based on your specific application requirements.

References and Resources:

Conclusion:

By effectively using NestJS middleware and understanding the role of the Origin header, you can confidently extract and utilize front-end domain information to enrich your application's functionality and security posture.