fix csrf token hardset, remove cookie from localstorage

README.md

@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ docker compose up -d
 When running ExcaliDash behind Traefik, Nginx, or another reverse proxy, configure both containers so that API + WebSocket calls resolve correctly:
 
 - `FRONTEND_URL` (backend) must match the public URL that users hit (e.g. `https://excalidash.example.com`). This controls CORS and Socket.IO origin checks. **Supports multiple comma-separated URLs** for accessing from different addresses.
+- `TRUST_PROXY` (backend) should be set to `1` when requests pass through one reverse proxy hop (for example: frontend nginx -> backend). This ensures rate limiting and logging use the real client IP from trusted proxy headers.
 - `BACKEND_URL` (frontend) tells the Nginx container how to reach the backend from inside Docker/Kubernetes. Override it if your reverse proxy exposes the backend under a different hostname.
 
 ```yaml
@@ -131,6 +132,8 @@ backend:
   environment:
     # Single URL
     - FRONTEND_URL=https://excalidash.example.com
+    # Trust exactly one reverse-proxy hop
+    - TRUST_PROXY=1
     # Or multiple URLs (comma-separated) for local + network access
     # - FRONTEND_URL=http://localhost:6767,http://192.168.1.100:6767,http://nas.local:6767
 frontend:

backend/.env.example

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ PORT=8000
 NODE_ENV=production
 DATABASE_URL=file:/app/prisma/dev.db
 FRONTEND_URL=http://localhost:6767
+TRUST_PROXY=1
 JWT_SECRET=change-this-secret-in-production-min-32-chars
 
 # Optional Feature Flags (all default to false for backward compatibility)

backend/src/auth.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,13 @@ import {
   type AuthModeService,
 } from "./auth/authMode";
 import { getCsrfValidationClientIds } from "./security/csrfClient";
+import {
+  clearAuthCookies,
+  readCookie,
+  REFRESH_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME,
+  setAccessTokenCookie,
+  setAuthCookies,
+} from "./auth/cookies";
 
 interface JwtPayload {
   userId: string;
@@ -380,6 +387,10 @@ export const createAuthRouter = (deps: CreateAuthRouterDeps): express.Router =>
     bootstrapUserId: BOOTSTRAP_USER_ID,
     defaultSystemConfigId: DEFAULT_SYSTEM_CONFIG_ID,
     clearAuthEnabledCache: authModeService.clearAuthEnabledCache,
+    setAuthCookies,
+    setAccessTokenCookie,
+    clearAuthCookies,
+    readRefreshTokenFromRequest: (req) => readCookie(req, REFRESH_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME),
   });
 
   registerAdminRoutes({
@@ -401,6 +412,8 @@ export const createAuthRouter = (deps: CreateAuthRouterDeps): express.Router =>
     getRefreshTokenExpiresAt,
     config,
     defaultSystemConfigId: DEFAULT_SYSTEM_CONFIG_ID,
+    setAuthCookies,
+    requireCsrf,
   });
 
   registerAccountRoutes({
@@ -414,6 +427,8 @@ export const createAuthRouter = (deps: CreateAuthRouterDeps): express.Router =>
     config,
     generateTokens,
     getRefreshTokenExpiresAt,
+    setAuthCookies,
+    requireCsrf,
   });
 
   return router;

backend/src/auth/accountRoutes.ts

@@ -34,6 +34,12 @@ type RegisterAccountRoutesDeps = {
     options?: { impersonatorId?: string }
   ) => { accessToken: string; refreshToken: string };
   getRefreshTokenExpiresAt: () => Date;
+  setAuthCookies: (
+    req: Request,
+    res: Response,
+    tokens: { accessToken: string; refreshToken: string }
+  ) => void;
+  requireCsrf: (req: Request, res: Response) => boolean;
 };
 
 export const registerAccountRoutes = (deps: RegisterAccountRoutesDeps) => {
@@ -48,6 +54,8 @@ export const registerAccountRoutes = (deps: RegisterAccountRoutesDeps) => {
     config,
     generateTokens,
     getRefreshTokenExpiresAt,
+    setAuthCookies,
+    requireCsrf,
   } = deps;
 
   router.post("/password-reset-request", loginAttemptRateLimiter, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
@@ -210,6 +218,7 @@ export const registerAccountRoutes = (deps: RegisterAccountRoutesDeps) => {
   router.put("/profile", requireAuth, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!req.user) {
         return res.status(401).json({
           error: "Unauthorized",
@@ -261,6 +270,7 @@ export const registerAccountRoutes = (deps: RegisterAccountRoutesDeps) => {
   router.put("/email", requireAuth, accountActionRateLimiter, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!req.user) {
         return res.status(401).json({ error: "Unauthorized", message: "User not authenticated" });
       }
@@ -347,6 +357,7 @@ export const registerAccountRoutes = (deps: RegisterAccountRoutesDeps) => {
       }
 
       const { accessToken, refreshToken } = generateTokens(updatedUser.id, updatedUser.email);
+      setAuthCookies(req, res, { accessToken, refreshToken });
       if (config.enableRefreshTokenRotation) {
         const expiresAt = getRefreshTokenExpiresAt();
         try {
@@ -387,6 +398,7 @@ export const registerAccountRoutes = (deps: RegisterAccountRoutesDeps) => {
   router.post("/change-password", requireAuth, accountActionRateLimiter, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!req.user) {
         return res.status(401).json({ error: "Unauthorized", message: "User not authenticated" });
       }
@@ -463,6 +475,7 @@ export const registerAccountRoutes = (deps: RegisterAccountRoutesDeps) => {
   router.post("/must-reset-password", requireAuth, accountActionRateLimiter, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!req.user) {
         return res.status(401).json({ error: "Unauthorized", message: "User not authenticated" });
       }
@@ -528,6 +541,7 @@ export const registerAccountRoutes = (deps: RegisterAccountRoutesDeps) => {
       }
 
       const { accessToken, refreshToken } = generateTokens(updatedUser.id, updatedUser.email);
+      setAuthCookies(req, res, { accessToken, refreshToken });
       if (config.enableRefreshTokenRotation) {
         const expiresAt = getRefreshTokenExpiresAt();
         try {

backend/src/auth/adminRoutes.ts

@@ -64,6 +64,12 @@ type RegisterAdminRoutesDeps = {
     enableRefreshTokenRotation: boolean;
   };
   defaultSystemConfigId: string;
+  setAuthCookies: (
+    req: Request,
+    res: Response,
+    tokens: { accessToken: string; refreshToken: string }
+  ) => void;
+  requireCsrf: (req: Request, res: Response) => boolean;
 };
 
 export const registerAdminRoutes = (deps: RegisterAdminRoutesDeps) => {
@@ -86,11 +92,14 @@ export const registerAdminRoutes = (deps: RegisterAdminRoutesDeps) => {
     getRefreshTokenExpiresAt,
     config,
     defaultSystemConfigId,
+    setAuthCookies,
+    requireCsrf,
   } = deps;
 
   router.post("/registration/toggle", requireAuth, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!requireAdmin(req, res)) return;
 
       const parsed = registrationToggleSchema.safeParse(req.body);
@@ -117,6 +126,7 @@ export const registerAdminRoutes = (deps: RegisterAdminRoutesDeps) => {
   router.post("/admins", requireAuth, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!requireAdmin(req, res)) return;
 
       const parsed = adminRoleUpdateSchema.safeParse(req.body);
@@ -220,6 +230,7 @@ export const registerAdminRoutes = (deps: RegisterAdminRoutesDeps) => {
   router.put("/rate-limit/login", requireAuth, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!requireAdmin(req, res)) return;
 
       const parsed = loginRateLimitUpdateSchema.safeParse(req.body);
@@ -265,6 +276,7 @@ export const registerAdminRoutes = (deps: RegisterAdminRoutesDeps) => {
   router.post("/rate-limit/login/reset", requireAuth, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!requireAdmin(req, res)) return;
 
       const parsed = loginRateLimitResetSchema.safeParse(req.body);
@@ -302,6 +314,7 @@ export const registerAdminRoutes = (deps: RegisterAdminRoutesDeps) => {
   router.post("/users", requireAuth, accountActionRateLimiter, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!requireAdmin(req, res)) return;
 
       const parsed = adminCreateUserSchema.safeParse(req.body);
@@ -386,6 +399,7 @@ export const registerAdminRoutes = (deps: RegisterAdminRoutesDeps) => {
   router.patch("/users/:id", requireAuth, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!requireAdmin(req, res)) return;
 
       const userId = String(req.params.id || "").trim();
@@ -494,6 +508,7 @@ export const registerAdminRoutes = (deps: RegisterAdminRoutesDeps) => {
   router.post("/users/:id/reset-password", requireAuth, accountActionRateLimiter, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!requireAdmin(req, res)) return;
 
       if (req.user.impersonatorId) {
@@ -583,6 +598,7 @@ export const registerAdminRoutes = (deps: RegisterAdminRoutesDeps) => {
   router.post("/impersonate", requireAuth, accountActionRateLimiter, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
       if (!requireAdmin(req, res)) return;
 
       const parsed = impersonateSchema.safeParse(req.body);
@@ -606,6 +622,7 @@ export const registerAdminRoutes = (deps: RegisterAdminRoutesDeps) => {
       const { accessToken, refreshToken } = generateTokens(target.id, target.email, {
         impersonatorId: req.user.id,
       });
+      setAuthCookies(req, res, { accessToken, refreshToken });
 
       if (config.enableRefreshTokenRotation) {
         const expiresAt = getRefreshTokenExpiresAt();

backend/src/auth/cookies.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+import type { Request, Response } from "express";
+import ms, { type StringValue } from "ms";
+import { config } from "../config";
+
+export const ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME = "excalidash-access-token";
+export const REFRESH_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME = "excalidash-refresh-token";
+
+const DEFAULT_ACCESS_TTL_MS = 15 * 60 * 1000;
+const DEFAULT_REFRESH_TTL_MS = 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
+
+const parseDurationToMs = (value: string, fallbackMs: number): number => {
+  const parsed = ms(value as StringValue);
+  if (typeof parsed === "number" && Number.isFinite(parsed) && parsed > 0) {
+    return parsed;
+  }
+  return fallbackMs;
+};
+
+const ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_MAX_AGE_MS = parseDurationToMs(
+  config.jwtAccessExpiresIn,
+  DEFAULT_ACCESS_TTL_MS
+);
+const REFRESH_TOKEN_COOKIE_MAX_AGE_MS = parseDurationToMs(
+  config.jwtRefreshExpiresIn,
+  DEFAULT_REFRESH_TTL_MS
+);
+
+const requestUsesHttps = (req: Request): boolean => {
+  if (req.secure) return true;
+  const forwardedProto = req.headers["x-forwarded-proto"];
+  const raw = Array.isArray(forwardedProto) ? forwardedProto[0] : forwardedProto;
+  const firstHop = String(raw || "")
+    .split(",")[0]
+    .trim()
+    .toLowerCase();
+  return firstHop === "https";
+};
+
+const shouldUseSecureCookies = (req: Request): boolean => requestUsesHttps(req);
+
+const baseCookieOptions = (req: Request) => ({
+  httpOnly: true,
+  secure: shouldUseSecureCookies(req),
+  sameSite: "lax" as const,
+  path: "/",
+});
+
+export const setAuthCookies = (
+  req: Request,
+  res: Response,
+  tokens: { accessToken: string; refreshToken: string }
+): void => {
+  res.cookie(ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME, tokens.accessToken, {
+    ...baseCookieOptions(req),
+    maxAge: ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_MAX_AGE_MS,
+  });
+  res.cookie(REFRESH_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME, tokens.refreshToken, {
+    ...baseCookieOptions(req),
+    maxAge: REFRESH_TOKEN_COOKIE_MAX_AGE_MS,
+  });
+};
+
+export const setAccessTokenCookie = (
+  req: Request,
+  res: Response,
+  accessToken: string
+): void => {
+  res.cookie(ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME, accessToken, {
+    ...baseCookieOptions(req),
+    maxAge: ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_MAX_AGE_MS,
+  });
+};
+
+export const clearAuthCookies = (req: Request, res: Response): void => {
+  const options = baseCookieOptions(req);
+  res.clearCookie(ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME, options);
+  res.clearCookie(REFRESH_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME, options);
+};
+
+export const parseCookieHeader = (
+  cookieHeader: string | undefined
+): Record<string, string> => {
+  if (!cookieHeader) return {};
+
+  const cookies: Record<string, string> = {};
+  for (const part of cookieHeader.split(";")) {
+    const [rawKey, ...rawValueParts] = part.split("=");
+    if (!rawKey || rawValueParts.length === 0) continue;
+    const key = rawKey.trim();
+    if (!key) continue;
+    const rawValue = rawValueParts.join("=").trim();
+    try {
+      cookies[key] = decodeURIComponent(rawValue);
+    } catch {
+      cookies[key] = rawValue;
+    }
+  }
+  return cookies;
+};
+
+export const readCookie = (req: Request, cookieName: string): string | null => {
+  const cookies = parseCookieHeader(req.headers.cookie);
+  const value = cookies[cookieName];
+  if (!value || value.trim().length === 0) return null;
+  return value;
+};

backend/src/auth/coreRoutes.ts

@@ -57,6 +57,14 @@ type RegisterCoreRoutesDeps = {
   bootstrapUserId: string;
   defaultSystemConfigId: string;
   clearAuthEnabledCache: () => void;
+  setAuthCookies: (
+    req: Request,
+    res: Response,
+    tokens: { accessToken: string; refreshToken: string }
+  ) => void;
+  setAccessTokenCookie: (req: Request, res: Response, accessToken: string) => void;
+  clearAuthCookies: (req: Request, res: Response) => void;
+  readRefreshTokenFromRequest: (req: Request) => string | null;
 };
 
 class HttpError extends Error {
@@ -88,6 +96,10 @@ export const registerCoreRoutes = (deps: RegisterCoreRoutesDeps) => {
     bootstrapUserId,
     defaultSystemConfigId,
     clearAuthEnabledCache,
+    setAuthCookies,
+    setAccessTokenCookie,
+    clearAuthCookies,
+    readRefreshTokenFromRequest,
   } = deps;
   const getUserTrashCollectionId = (userId: string): string => `trash:${userId}`;
 
@@ -158,6 +170,7 @@ export const registerCoreRoutes = (deps: RegisterCoreRoutesDeps) => {
         }
 
         const { accessToken, refreshToken } = generateTokens(user.id, user.email);
+        setAuthCookies(req, res, { accessToken, refreshToken });
 
         if (config.enableRefreshTokenRotation) {
           const expiresAt = getRefreshTokenExpiresAt();
@@ -257,6 +270,7 @@ export const registerCoreRoutes = (deps: RegisterCoreRoutesDeps) => {
       }
 
       const { accessToken, refreshToken } = generateTokens(user.id, user.email);
+      setAuthCookies(req, res, { accessToken, refreshToken });
 
       if (config.enableRefreshTokenRotation) {
         const expiresAt = getRefreshTokenExpiresAt();
@@ -375,6 +389,7 @@ export const registerCoreRoutes = (deps: RegisterCoreRoutesDeps) => {
       }
 
       const { accessToken, refreshToken } = generateTokens(user.id, user.email);
+      setAuthCookies(req, res, { accessToken, refreshToken });
 
       if (config.enableRefreshTokenRotation) {
         const expiresAt = getRefreshTokenExpiresAt();
@@ -431,7 +446,9 @@ export const registerCoreRoutes = (deps: RegisterCoreRoutesDeps) => {
   router.post("/refresh", async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
-      const { refreshToken: oldRefreshToken } = req.body;
+      const oldRefreshTokenFromBody =
+        typeof req.body?.refreshToken === "string" ? req.body.refreshToken : null;
+      const oldRefreshToken = oldRefreshTokenFromBody || readRefreshTokenFromRequest(req);
 
       if (!oldRefreshToken || typeof oldRefreshToken !== "string") {
         return res.status(400).json({
@@ -513,6 +530,10 @@ export const registerCoreRoutes = (deps: RegisterCoreRoutesDeps) => {
               });
             });
 
+            setAuthCookies(req, res, {
+              accessToken,
+              refreshToken: newRefreshToken,
+            });
             return res.json({
               accessToken,
               refreshToken: newRefreshToken,
@@ -555,6 +576,7 @@ export const registerCoreRoutes = (deps: RegisterCoreRoutesDeps) => {
           signOptions
         );
 
+        setAccessTokenCookie(req, res, accessToken);
         res.json({ accessToken });
       } catch {
         return res.status(401).json({
@@ -571,6 +593,116 @@ export const registerCoreRoutes = (deps: RegisterCoreRoutesDeps) => {
     }
   });
 
+  router.post("/logout", optionalAuth, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
+    try {
+      if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
+
+      clearAuthCookies(req, res);
+
+      if (config.enableRefreshTokenRotation && req.user?.id) {
+        await prisma.refreshToken.updateMany({
+          where: { userId: req.user.id, revoked: false },
+          data: { revoked: true },
+        });
+      }
+
+      return res.json({ ok: true });
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error("Logout error:", error);
+      return res.status(500).json({
+        error: "Internal server error",
+        message: "Failed to logout",
+      });
+    }
+  });
+
+  router.post("/stop-impersonation", requireAuth, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
+    try {
+      if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;
+      if (!requireCsrf(req, res)) return;
+      if (!req.user) {
+        return res.status(401).json({
+          error: "Unauthorized",
+          message: "User not authenticated",
+        });
+      }
+
+      if (!req.user.impersonatorId) {
+        return res.status(409).json({
+          error: "Conflict",
+          message: "Not currently impersonating another user",
+        });
+      }
+
+      const impersonator = await prisma.user.findUnique({
+        where: { id: req.user.impersonatorId },
+        select: {
+          id: true,
+          username: true,
+          email: true,
+          name: true,
+          role: true,
+          mustResetPassword: true,
+          isActive: true,
+        },
+      });
+
+      if (!impersonator || !impersonator.isActive || impersonator.role !== "ADMIN") {
+        return res.status(403).json({
+          error: "Forbidden",
+          message: "Impersonator account is unavailable or no longer authorized",
+        });
+      }
+
+      const { accessToken, refreshToken } = generateTokens(
+        impersonator.id,
+        impersonator.email
+      );
+      setAuthCookies(req, res, { accessToken, refreshToken });
+
+      if (config.enableRefreshTokenRotation) {
+        const expiresAt = getRefreshTokenExpiresAt();
+        try {
+          await prisma.refreshToken.create({
+            data: {
+              userId: impersonator.id,
+              token: hashTokenForStorage(refreshToken),
+              expiresAt,
+            },
+          });
+        } catch (error) {
+          if (isMissingRefreshTokenTableError(error)) {
+            return res.status(503).json({
+              error: "Service unavailable",
+              message: "Refresh token storage is unavailable. Please run database migrations.",
+            });
+          }
+          throw error;
+        }
+      }
+
+      return res.json({
+        user: {
+          id: impersonator.id,
+          username: impersonator.username,
+          email: impersonator.email,
+          name: impersonator.name,
+          role: impersonator.role,
+          mustResetPassword: impersonator.mustResetPassword,
+        },
+        accessToken,
+        refreshToken,
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error("Stop impersonation error:", error);
+      return res.status(500).json({
+        error: "Internal server error",
+        message: "Failed to stop impersonation",
+      });
+    }
+  });
+
   router.get("/me", requireAuth, async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     try {
       if (!(await ensureAuthEnabled(res))) return;

backend/src/auth/schemas.ts

@@ -1,9 +1,25 @@
 import { z } from "zod";
 
+const productionStrongPasswordMessage =
+  "Password must be at least 12 characters and include upper, lower, number, and symbol";
+
+const strongPasswordPattern =
+  /^(?=.*[a-z])(?=.*[A-Z])(?=.*\d)(?=.*[^A-Za-z0-9]).{12,100}$/;
+
+const passwordSchema = z
+  .string()
+  .min(8)
+  .max(100)
+  .refine(
+    (value) =>
+      process.env.NODE_ENV !== "production" || strongPasswordPattern.test(value),
+    { message: productionStrongPasswordMessage }
+  );
+
 export const registerSchema = z.object({
   username: z.string().trim().min(3).max(50).optional(),
   email: z.string().email().toLowerCase().trim(),
-  password: z.string().min(8).max(100),
+  password: passwordSchema,
   name: z.string().trim().min(1).max(100),
 });
 
@@ -34,7 +50,7 @@ export const authEnabledToggleSchema = z.object({
 export const adminCreateUserSchema = z.object({
   username: z.string().trim().min(3).max(50).optional(),
   email: z.string().email().toLowerCase().trim(),
-  password: z.string().min(8).max(100),
+  password: passwordSchema,
   name: z.string().trim().min(1).max(100),
   role: z.enum(["ADMIN", "USER"]).optional(),
   mustResetPassword: z.boolean().optional(),
@@ -74,7 +90,7 @@ export const passwordResetRequestSchema = z.object({
 
 export const passwordResetConfirmSchema = z.object({
   token: z.string().min(1),
-  password: z.string().min(8).max(100),
+  password: passwordSchema,
 });
 
 export const updateProfileSchema = z.object({
@@ -88,9 +104,9 @@ export const updateEmailSchema = z.object({
 
 export const changePasswordSchema = z.object({
   currentPassword: z.string(),
-  newPassword: z.string().min(8).max(100),
+  newPassword: passwordSchema,
 });
 
 export const mustResetPasswordSchema = z.object({
-  newPassword: z.string().min(8).max(100),
+  newPassword: passwordSchema,
 });

backend/src/config.ts

@@ -118,11 +118,20 @@ export const config: Config = {
 
 // Validate JWT_SECRET strength in production
 if (config.nodeEnv === "production") {
+  const normalizedSecret = config.jwtSecret.trim();
+  const insecureJwtSecretPlaceholders = new Set([
+    "your-secret-key-change-in-production",
+    "change-this-secret-in-production-min-32-chars",
+  ]);
+
   if (config.jwtSecret.length < 32) {
     throw new Error("JWT_SECRET must be at least 32 characters long in production");
   }
-  if (config.jwtSecret === "your-secret-key-change-in-production") {
+  if (
-    throw new Error("JWT_SECRET must be changed from default value in production");
+    insecureJwtSecretPlaceholders.has(normalizedSecret) ||
+    normalizedSecret.toLowerCase().includes("change-this-secret")
+  ) {
+    throw new Error("JWT_SECRET must be changed from placeholder/default value in production");
   }
 }
 

backend/src/index.ts

@@ -109,15 +109,19 @@ const initializeUploadDir = async () => {
 
 const app = express();
 
-// Trust proxy headers (X-Forwarded-For, X-Real-IP) from nginx.
+// Trust proxy headers (X-Forwarded-For, X-Real-IP) only when explicitly configured.
-// Default to a single trusted proxy hop unless TRUST_PROXY is explicitly configured.
+// Safe default is disabled to avoid spoofed client IPs when running without a trusted proxy.
-// Set TRUST_PROXY=true only when you fully trust all upstream proxy hops.
+// Set TRUST_PROXY=1 (or a specific hop count) when deploying behind reverse proxies.
-const trustProxyConfig = (process.env.TRUST_PROXY ?? "1").trim();
+const trustProxyConfig = (process.env.TRUST_PROXY ?? "false").trim();
-const trustProxyValue = trustProxyConfig === "true"
+const parsedProxyHops = Number.parseInt(trustProxyConfig, 10);
+const trustProxyValue =
+  trustProxyConfig === "true"
     ? true
     : trustProxyConfig === "false"
     ? false
-  : Number.parseInt(trustProxyConfig, 10) || 1;
+    : Number.isFinite(parsedProxyHops) && parsedProxyHops > 0
+    ? parsedProxyHops
+    : false;
 app.set("trust proxy", trustProxyValue);
 
 if (trustProxyValue === true) {

backend/src/middleware/auth.ts

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { config } from "../config";
 import { PrismaClient } from "../generated/client";
 import { prisma as defaultPrisma } from "../db/prisma";
 import { createAuthModeService, type AuthModeService } from "../auth/authMode";
+import { ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME, readCookie } from "../auth/cookies";
 
 // Extend Express Request type to include user
 declare global {
@@ -46,14 +47,14 @@ const isJwtPayload = (decoded: unknown): decoded is JwtPayload => {
 
 const extractToken = (req: Request): string | null => {
   const authHeader = req.headers.authorization;
-  if (!authHeader || typeof authHeader !== "string") return null;
+  if (authHeader && typeof authHeader === "string") {
-
     const parts = authHeader.split(" ");
-  if (parts.length !== 2 || parts[0] !== "Bearer") {
+    if (parts.length === 2 && parts[0] === "Bearer") {
-    return null;
+      return parts[1] || null;
+    }
   }
 
-  return parts[1];
+  return readCookie(req, ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME);
 };
 
 const verifyToken = (token: string): JwtPayload | null => {

backend/src/server/socket.ts

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import jwt from "jsonwebtoken";
 import { Server } from "socket.io";
 import { PrismaClient } from "../generated/client";
 import { AuthModeService } from "../auth/authMode";
+import { ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME, parseCookieHeader } from "../auth/cookies";
 
 interface User {
   id: string;
@@ -87,7 +88,13 @@ export const registerSocketHandlers = ({
 
   io.use(async (socket, next) => {
     try {
-      const token = socket.handshake.auth?.token as string | undefined;
+      const tokenFromAuth = socket.handshake.auth?.token as string | undefined;
+      const tokenFromCookie = (() => {
+        const cookies = parseCookieHeader(socket.handshake.headers.cookie);
+        const value = cookies[ACCESS_TOKEN_COOKIE_NAME];
+        return typeof value === "string" && value.trim().length > 0 ? value : undefined;
+      })();
+      const token = tokenFromAuth || tokenFromCookie;
       const userId = await getSocketAuthUserId(token);
 
       if (!userId) {

docker-compose.prod.yml

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ services:
       - DATABASE_URL=file:/app/prisma/dev.db
       - PORT=8000
       - NODE_ENV=production
+      - TRUST_PROXY=1
       # Optional for single-instance deployments:
       # if unset, backend auto-generates and persists one in the volume.
       # Recommended to set explicitly for portability and multi-instance setups.

docker-compose.yml

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ services:
       - DATABASE_URL=file:/app/prisma/dev.db
       - PORT=8000
       - NODE_ENV=production
+      - TRUST_PROXY=1
       # Optional for single-instance deployments:
       # if unset, backend auto-generates and persists one in the volume.
       # Recommended to set explicitly for portability and multi-instance setups.

frontend/src/api/index.ts

@@ -16,9 +16,7 @@ export const isAxiosError = axios.isAxiosError;
 // Export api instance for direct use
 export { api as default };
 
-// JWT Token Management
+// Auth state persisted in local storage should remain non-sensitive.
-const TOKEN_KEY = 'excalidash-access-token';
-const REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY = 'excalidash-refresh-token';
 const USER_KEY = 'excalidash-user';
 const AUTH_ENABLED_CACHE_KEY = "excalidash-auth-enabled";
 const AUTH_STATUS_TTL_MS = 5000;
@@ -33,11 +31,6 @@ type RetriableRequestConfig = {
 
 let authEnabledProbeCache: { value: boolean; fetchedAt: number } | null = null;
 
-const getAuthToken = (): string | null => {
-  if (typeof window === 'undefined') return null;
-  return localStorage.getItem(TOKEN_KEY);
-};
-
 // CSRF Token Management
 let csrfToken: string | null = null;
 let csrfHeaderName: string = "x-csrf-token";
@@ -96,25 +89,32 @@ export const authStatus = async (): Promise<AuthStatusResponse> => {
   return response.data;
 };
 
-export const authMe = async (accessToken: string): Promise<{ user: AuthUser }> => {
+export const authMe = async (): Promise<{ user: AuthUser }> => {
   const response = await axios.get<{ user: AuthUser }>(`${API_URL}/auth/me`, {
-    headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${accessToken}` },
     withCredentials: true,
   });
   return response.data;
 };
 
 export const authRefresh = async (
-  refreshToken: string
+  refreshToken?: string
 ): Promise<{ accessToken: string; refreshToken?: string }> => {
+  const body =
+    typeof refreshToken === "string" && refreshToken.trim().length > 0
+      ? { refreshToken }
+      : {};
   const response = await axios.post<{ accessToken: string; refreshToken?: string }>(
     `${API_URL}/auth/refresh`,
-    { refreshToken },
+    body,
     { withCredentials: true }
   );
   return response.data;
 };
 
+export const authLogout = async (): Promise<void> => {
+  await api.post("/auth/logout");
+};
+
 export const authLogin = async (
   email: string,
   password: string
@@ -152,8 +152,6 @@ export const authPasswordResetConfirm = async (
 };
 
 const clearStoredAuth = () => {
-  localStorage.removeItem(TOKEN_KEY);
-  localStorage.removeItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY);
   localStorage.removeItem(USER_KEY);
 };
 
@@ -205,23 +203,13 @@ let refreshPromise: Promise<string> | null = null;
 const refreshAccessToken = async (): Promise<string> => {
   if (!refreshPromise) {
     refreshPromise = (async () => {
-      const refreshToken = localStorage.getItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY);
+      const refreshResponse = await authRefresh();
-      if (!refreshToken) {
-        throw new Error("Missing refresh token");
-      }
-
-      const refreshResponse = await authRefresh(refreshToken);
 
       const nextAccessToken = String(refreshResponse.accessToken || "");
       if (!nextAccessToken) {
         throw new Error("Missing access token in refresh response");
       }
 
-      localStorage.setItem(TOKEN_KEY, nextAccessToken);
-      if (refreshResponse.refreshToken) {
-        localStorage.setItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY, refreshResponse.refreshToken);
-      }
-
       return nextAccessToken;
     })().finally(() => {
       refreshPromise = null;
@@ -245,14 +233,6 @@ api.interceptors.request.use(
 
     const isPublicAuthEndpoint = config.url && publicAuthEndpoints.some(endpoint => config.url?.startsWith(endpoint));
 
-    // Add JWT token to all requests except public auth endpoints
-    if (!isPublicAuthEndpoint) {
-      const token = getAuthToken();
-      if (token) {
-        config.headers.Authorization = `Bearer ${token}`;
-      }
-    }
-
     // Only add CSRF token for state-changing methods (except public auth endpoints)
     const method = config.method?.toUpperCase();
     if (method && ["POST", "PUT", "DELETE", "PATCH"].includes(method) && !isPublicAuthEndpoint) {
@@ -293,7 +273,6 @@ api.interceptors.response.use(
       const originalRequest = (error.config || {}) as RetriableRequestConfig;
       const url = String(originalRequest.url || "");
       const isAuthRoute = url.includes('/auth/');
-      const hasRefreshToken = Boolean(localStorage.getItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY));
       const authEnabled = !isAuthRoute ? await getAuthEnabledStatus() : true;
 
       if (!isAuthRoute && authEnabled === false) {
@@ -304,12 +283,10 @@ api.interceptors.response.use(
         return Promise.reject(error);
       }
 
-      if (!isAuthRoute && hasRefreshToken && !originalRequest._retry) {
+      if (!isAuthRoute && !originalRequest._retry) {
         try {
           originalRequest._retry = true;
-          const nextAccessToken = await refreshAccessToken();
+          await refreshAccessToken();
-          originalRequest.headers = originalRequest.headers || {};
-          originalRequest.headers.Authorization = `Bearer ${nextAccessToken}`;
           return api(originalRequest as any);
         } catch {
           clearStoredAuth();

frontend/src/context/AuthContext.test.tsx

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ describe("AuthProvider", () => {
       },
     });
 
-    vi.spyOn(axios, "get").mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error("network down"));
+    vi.spyOn(axios, "get").mockRejectedValue(new Error("network down"));
 
     render(
       <MemoryRouter>
@@ -52,8 +52,6 @@ describe("AuthProvider", () => {
 
   it("clears stored auth state when backend reports auth disabled", async () => {
     const storage = new Map<string, string>([
-      ["excalidash-access-token", "token"],
-      ["excalidash-refresh-token", "refresh"],
       ["excalidash-user", JSON.stringify({ id: "u1" })],
     ]);
     Object.defineProperty(window, "localStorage", {
@@ -83,16 +81,12 @@ describe("AuthProvider", () => {
       expect(screen.getByTestId("loading").textContent).toBe("false");
     });
     expect(screen.getByTestId("auth-enabled").textContent).toBe("false");
-    expect(storage.get("excalidash-access-token")).toBeUndefined();
-    expect(storage.get("excalidash-refresh-token")).toBeUndefined();
     expect(storage.get("excalidash-user")).toBeUndefined();
   });
 
   it("uses cached auth-disabled mode when /auth/status is temporarily unavailable", async () => {
     const storage = new Map<string, string>([
       ["excalidash-auth-enabled", "false"],
-      ["excalidash-access-token", "token"],
-      ["excalidash-refresh-token", "refresh"],
       ["excalidash-user", JSON.stringify({ id: "u1" })],
     ]);
     Object.defineProperty(window, "localStorage", {
@@ -108,7 +102,7 @@ describe("AuthProvider", () => {
       },
     });
 
-    vi.spyOn(axios, "get").mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error("network down"));
+    vi.spyOn(axios, "get").mockRejectedValue(new Error("network down"));
 
     render(
       <MemoryRouter>
@@ -122,8 +116,6 @@ describe("AuthProvider", () => {
       expect(screen.getByTestId("loading").textContent).toBe("false");
     });
     expect(screen.getByTestId("auth-enabled").textContent).toBe("false");
-    expect(storage.get("excalidash-access-token")).toBeUndefined();
-    expect(storage.get("excalidash-refresh-token")).toBeUndefined();
     expect(storage.get("excalidash-user")).toBeUndefined();
   });
 });

frontend/src/context/AuthContext.tsx

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import {
   authStatus,
   authMe,
   authRefresh,
+  authLogout,
   authLogin,
   authRegister,
   isAxiosError,
@@ -32,8 +33,6 @@ interface AuthContextType {
 
 const AuthContext = createContext<AuthContextType | undefined>(undefined);
 
-const TOKEN_KEY = 'excalidash-access-token';
-const REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY = 'excalidash-refresh-token';
 const USER_KEY = 'excalidash-user';
 const AUTH_ENABLED_CACHE_KEY = "excalidash-auth-enabled";
 
@@ -60,8 +59,6 @@ export const AuthProvider: React.FC<{ children: ReactNode }> = ({ children }) =>
           setBootstrapRequired(Boolean(statusResponse?.bootstrapRequired));
 
           if (!enabled) {
-            localStorage.removeItem(TOKEN_KEY);
-            localStorage.removeItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY);
             localStorage.removeItem(USER_KEY);
             setUser(null);
             return;
@@ -71,8 +68,6 @@ export const AuthProvider: React.FC<{ children: ReactNode }> = ({ children }) =>
           if (cachedAuthEnabled === "false") {
             setAuthEnabled(false);
             setBootstrapRequired(false);
-            localStorage.removeItem(TOKEN_KEY);
-            localStorage.removeItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY);
             localStorage.removeItem(USER_KEY);
             setUser(null);
             return;
@@ -82,44 +77,28 @@ export const AuthProvider: React.FC<{ children: ReactNode }> = ({ children }) =>
         }
 
         const storedUser = localStorage.getItem(USER_KEY);
-        const storedToken = localStorage.getItem(TOKEN_KEY);
+        if (storedUser) {
-
-        if (storedUser && storedToken) {
           const userData = JSON.parse(storedUser);
           setUser(userData);
+        }
 
         try {
-            const response = await authMe(storedToken);
+          const response = await authMe();
           setUser(response.user);
+          localStorage.setItem(USER_KEY, JSON.stringify(response.user));
         } catch {
-            const refreshToken = localStorage.getItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY);
-            if (refreshToken) {
           try {
-                const refreshResponse = await authRefresh(refreshToken);
+            await authRefresh();
-                localStorage.setItem(TOKEN_KEY, refreshResponse.accessToken);
+            const userResponse = await authMe();
-                if (refreshResponse.refreshToken) {
-                  localStorage.setItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY, refreshResponse.refreshToken);
-                }
-                const userResponse = await authMe(refreshResponse.accessToken);
             setUser(userResponse.user);
+            localStorage.setItem(USER_KEY, JSON.stringify(userResponse.user));
           } catch {
-                localStorage.removeItem(TOKEN_KEY);
-                localStorage.removeItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY);
             localStorage.removeItem(USER_KEY);
             setUser(null);
           }
-            } else {
-              localStorage.removeItem(TOKEN_KEY);
-              localStorage.removeItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY);
-              localStorage.removeItem(USER_KEY);
-              setUser(null);
-            }
-          }
         }
       } catch (error) {
         console.error('Failed to load user:', error);
-        localStorage.removeItem(TOKEN_KEY);
-        localStorage.removeItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY);
         localStorage.removeItem(USER_KEY);
         setUser(null);
       } finally {
@@ -137,10 +116,8 @@ export const AuthProvider: React.FC<{ children: ReactNode }> = ({ children }) =>
       }
       const response = await authLogin(email, password);
 
-      const { user: userData, accessToken, refreshToken } = response;
+      const { user: userData } = response;
 
-      localStorage.setItem(TOKEN_KEY, accessToken);
-      localStorage.setItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY, refreshToken);
       localStorage.setItem(USER_KEY, JSON.stringify(userData));
 
       setUser(userData);
@@ -166,10 +143,8 @@ export const AuthProvider: React.FC<{ children: ReactNode }> = ({ children }) =>
       }
       const response = await authRegister(email, password, name);
 
-      const { user: userData, accessToken, refreshToken } = response;
+      const { user: userData } = response;
 
-      localStorage.setItem(TOKEN_KEY, accessToken);
-      localStorage.setItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY, refreshToken);
       localStorage.setItem(USER_KEY, JSON.stringify(userData));
 
       setUser(userData);
@@ -189,8 +164,7 @@ export const AuthProvider: React.FC<{ children: ReactNode }> = ({ children }) =>
   };
 
   const logout = () => {
-    localStorage.removeItem(TOKEN_KEY);
+    void authLogout().catch(() => undefined);
-    localStorage.removeItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY);
     localStorage.removeItem(USER_KEY);
     setUser(null);
     setTimeout(() => {

frontend/src/pages/Admin.tsx

@@ -7,11 +7,9 @@ import * as api from '../api';
 import type { Collection } from '../types';
 import { Shield, UserPlus, RefreshCw, UserCog, LogIn, XCircle, Settings as SettingsIcon, KeyRound } from 'lucide-react';
 import {
-  ACCESS_TOKEN_KEY,
   IMPERSONATION_KEY,
   type ImpersonationState,
   readImpersonationState,
-  REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY,
   stopImpersonation as restoreImpersonation,
   USER_KEY,
 } from '../utils/impersonation';
@@ -290,11 +288,9 @@ export const Admin: React.FC = () => {
       return;
     }
 
-    const originalAccessToken = localStorage.getItem(ACCESS_TOKEN_KEY);
-    const originalRefreshToken = localStorage.getItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY);
     const originalUser = localStorage.getItem(USER_KEY);
-    if (!originalAccessToken || !originalRefreshToken || !originalUser) {
+    if (!originalUser) {
-      setError('Missing current session tokens.');
+      setError('Missing current session user state.');
       return;
     }
 
@@ -307,8 +303,6 @@ export const Admin: React.FC = () => {
 
       const state: ImpersonationState = {
         original: {
-          accessToken: originalAccessToken,
-          refreshToken: originalRefreshToken,
           user: JSON.parse(originalUser),
         },
         impersonator: {
@@ -325,8 +319,6 @@ export const Admin: React.FC = () => {
       };
 
       localStorage.setItem(IMPERSONATION_KEY, JSON.stringify(state));
-      localStorage.setItem(ACCESS_TOKEN_KEY, response.data.accessToken);
-      localStorage.setItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY, response.data.refreshToken);
       localStorage.setItem(USER_KEY, JSON.stringify(response.data.user));
 
       window.location.href = '/';
@@ -339,9 +331,26 @@ export const Admin: React.FC = () => {
     }
   };
 
-  const stopImpersonation = () => {
+  const stopImpersonation = async () => {
-    if (!restoreImpersonation()) return;
+    if (!readImpersonationState()) return;
+
+    try {
+      const response = await api.api.post<{
+        user?: { id: string; email: string; name: string };
+      }>('/auth/stop-impersonation');
+
+      restoreImpersonation();
+      if (response.data?.user) {
+        localStorage.setItem(USER_KEY, JSON.stringify(response.data.user));
+      }
       window.location.href = '/admin';
+    } catch (err: unknown) {
+      let message = 'Failed to stop impersonation';
+      if (api.isAxiosError(err)) {
+        message = err.response?.data?.message || err.response?.data?.error || message;
+      }
+      setError(message);
+    }
   };
 
   if (authEnabled === null) {

frontend/src/pages/Dashboard.tsx

@@ -962,7 +962,7 @@ export const Dashboard: React.FC = () => {
         ) : (
           <div
             className={clsx("grid gap-3 sm:gap-4 pb-16 sm:pb-24 transition-all duration-300", isDraggingFile && "opacity-20 blur-sm")}
-            style={{ gridTemplateColumns: 'repeat(auto-fill, minmax(220px, 1fr))' }}
+            style={{ gridTemplateColumns: 'repeat(auto-fill, minmax(320px, 1fr))' }}
           >
             {sortedDrawings.length === 0 ? (
               <div className="col-span-full flex flex-col items-center justify-center py-16 sm:py-32 text-slate-400 dark:text-neutral-500 border-2 border-dashed border-slate-200 dark:border-neutral-700 rounded-3xl bg-slate-50/50 dark:bg-neutral-800/50">

frontend/src/pages/Editor.tsx

@@ -257,11 +257,10 @@ export const Editor: React.FC = () => {
       ? window.location.origin
       : (import.meta.env.VITE_API_URL || 'http://localhost:8000');
 
-    const authToken = localStorage.getItem('excalidash-access-token');
     const socket = io(socketUrl, {
       path: '/socket.io',
       transports: ['websocket', 'polling'],
-      auth: authToken ? { token: authToken } : {},
+      withCredentials: true,
     });
     socketRef.current = socket;
 

frontend/src/pages/Login.tsx

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { useNavigate, Link, useSearchParams } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { useAuth } from '../context/AuthContext';
 import { Logo } from '../components/Logo';
 import * as api from '../api';
-import { ACCESS_TOKEN_KEY, REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY, USER_KEY } from '../utils/impersonation';
+import { USER_KEY } from '../utils/impersonation';
 
 export const Login: React.FC = () => {
   const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
@@ -81,8 +81,6 @@ export const Login: React.FC = () => {
         refreshToken: string;
       }>('/auth/must-reset-password', { newPassword });
 
-      localStorage.setItem(ACCESS_TOKEN_KEY, response.data.accessToken);
-      localStorage.setItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY, response.data.refreshToken);
       localStorage.setItem(USER_KEY, JSON.stringify(response.data.user));
 
       window.location.href = '/';

frontend/src/pages/Profile.tsx

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { useAuth } from '../context/AuthContext';
 import * as api from '../api';
 import type { Collection } from '../types';
 import { User, Lock, Save, X, Shield } from 'lucide-react';
-import { ACCESS_TOKEN_KEY, REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY, USER_KEY } from '../utils/impersonation';
+import { USER_KEY } from '../utils/impersonation';
 
 export const Profile: React.FC = () => {
     const { user: authUser, logout, authEnabled } = useAuth();
@@ -234,8 +234,6 @@ export const Profile: React.FC = () => {
                 currentPassword: emailCurrentPassword,
             });
 
-            localStorage.setItem(ACCESS_TOKEN_KEY, response.data.accessToken);
-            localStorage.setItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY, response.data.refreshToken);
             localStorage.setItem(USER_KEY, JSON.stringify(response.data.user));
 
             setSuccess('Email updated successfully');

frontend/src/utils/impersonation.ts

@@ -1,12 +1,8 @@
-export const ACCESS_TOKEN_KEY = 'excalidash-access-token';
-export const REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY = 'excalidash-refresh-token';
 export const USER_KEY = 'excalidash-user';
 export const IMPERSONATION_KEY = 'excalidash-impersonation';
 
 export type ImpersonationState = {
   original: {
-    accessToken: string;
-    refreshToken: string;
     user: unknown;
   };
   impersonator: {
@@ -28,7 +24,7 @@ export const readImpersonationState = (): ImpersonationState | null => {
     const raw = localStorage.getItem(IMPERSONATION_KEY);
     if (!raw) return null;
     const parsed = JSON.parse(raw) as ImpersonationState;
-    if (!parsed?.original?.accessToken || !parsed?.original?.refreshToken) return null;
+    if (!parsed?.original?.user) return null;
     return parsed;
   } catch {
     return null;
@@ -38,10 +34,7 @@ export const readImpersonationState = (): ImpersonationState | null => {
 export const stopImpersonation = (): boolean => {
   const state = readImpersonationState();
   if (!state) return false;
-  localStorage.setItem(ACCESS_TOKEN_KEY, state.original.accessToken);
-  localStorage.setItem(REFRESH_TOKEN_KEY, state.original.refreshToken);
   localStorage.setItem(USER_KEY, JSON.stringify(state.original.user));
   localStorage.removeItem(IMPERSONATION_KEY);
   return true;
 };
-