Fix API Rate Limit Exhaustion in RedwoodJS
RedwoodJS exposes a unified GraphQL endpoint that is a prime target for resource exhaustion. By default, the `createGraphQLHandler` lacks built-in throttling, allowing an attacker to spam expensive queries, deplete database connections, or skyrocket your serverless bills. To harden this, we must intercept the execution lifecycle using an Envelop plugin to enforce strict rate limits based on client identity or IP address.
The Vulnerable Pattern
import { createGraphQLHandler } from '@redwoodjs/graphql-server'; import { directives } from 'src/directives/**/*.{js,ts}'; import { sdls } from 'src/graphql/**/*.sdl.{js,ts}'; import { services } from 'src/services/**/*.{js,ts}'; import { db } from 'src/lib/db';
export const handler = createGraphQLHandler({ directives, sdls, services, onException: () => { db.$disconnect(); }, });
The Secure Implementation
The fix involves injecting the `@envelop/rate-limiter` plugin into the `extraPlugins` array of the `createGraphQLHandler`. The `identifyFn` is critical: it extracts the client's IP address from the AWS Lambda event headers to track unique consumers. The `reuseLimit` defines the maximum allowed operations within the `windowMs` (e.g., 100 requests per minute). This prevents attackers from flooding the GraphQL engine and protects downstream services from being overwhelmed. For production-grade resilience, integrate a Redis store with the limiter to maintain state across multiple serverless instances.
import { createGraphQLHandler } from '@redwoodjs/graphql-server'; import { useRateLimiter } from '@envelop/rate-limiter'; import { directives } from 'src/directives/**/*.{js,ts}'; import { sdls } from 'src/graphql/**/*.sdl.{js,ts}'; import { services } from 'src/services/**/*.{js,ts}'; import { db } from 'src/lib/db';
export const handler = createGraphQLHandler({ extraPlugins: [ useRateLimiter({ identifyFn: (context) => context.event.headers[‘x-forwarded-for’] || context.event.requestContext.identity.sourceIp, reuseLimit: 100, windowMs: 60000, onRateLimitError: () => { throw new Error(‘Too many requests. Back off.’) }, }), ], directives, sdls, services, onException: () => { db.$disconnect(); }, });
Your RedwoodJS API
might be exposed to API Rate Limit Exhaustion
74% of RedwoodJS apps fail this check. Hackers use automated scanners to find this specific flaw. Check your codebase before they do.
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