How to Authenticate WebSocket Connections Using HTTP Middleware?

Authenticating WebSocket Connections via HTTP Middleware

Problem Statement

WebSocket communication protocol lacks inbuilt authentication mechanisms. It becomes necessary to implement authentication in WebSocket connections using HTTP middleware. This article aims to establish how to authenticate WebSocket connections, identifying potential strategies and their implementation.

Strategy 1: Authenticating the Upgrade Handshake

This strategy involves securing the connection upgrade with a custom header, such as "X-Api-Key," via middleware. Only clients initiating the conversation with a matching key will be upgraded. However, the code provided in the question fails because the client initial GET request is via HTTP, while the subsequent upgrade request is via WebSocket, leading to a mismatch at the server end.

To rectify this issue, send an authenticated WebSocket handshake. Include the authentication headers in the last argument to the Dial function.

<code class="go">func main() {
    u := url.URL{Scheme: "ws", Host: "localhost:8080", Path: "/ws"}
    conn, _, err := websocket.DefaultDialer.Dial(u.String(), http.Header{"X-Api-Key": []string{"test_api_key"}})
    if err != nil {
        log.Fatalf("dial err: %v", err)
    }
    err = conn.WriteMessage(websocket.TextMessage, []byte("hellow websockets"))
    if err != nil {
        log.Fatalf("msg err: %v", err)
    }
}</code>

Strategy 2: Post-Connection Client Authentication

While the described strategy 2 is not extensively detailed, it involves authenticating the client after the WebSocket connection has been established. The client is required to send username and password, which the server verifies. Upon mismatch, the connection is terminated. This approach might warrant further clarification and implementation suggestions.

Implementing Authentication on Server via Middleware

On the server side, use the application's code for HTTP request authentication to also authenticate the WebSocket handshake. Integrate this authentication logic into the HTTP middleware.

This approach ensures that clients can authenticate using the WebSocket protocol and leverage the existing authentication mechanisms implemented for HTTP requests, providing a consistent and secure authentication experience across communication channels.

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