helmet-csp vs express-csp-header
Content Security Policy (CSP) Middleware
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Content Security Policy (CSP) Middleware

Content Security Policy (CSP) Middleware libraries in Node.js help developers implement CSP headers in their web applications to enhance security by preventing cross-site scripting (XSS) and other code injection attacks. These middleware packages allow developers to define a CSP policy, which is then applied to HTTP responses, instructing the browser on which resources are allowed to load. This helps mitigate the risk of malicious content being executed in the context of a web application. express-csp-header is a flexible and easy-to-use middleware for setting CSP headers in Express applications, while helmet-csp is a part of the Helmet security middleware suite, providing a more opinionated and feature-rich approach to CSP implementation.

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helmet-csp521,59910,58216.5 kB32 years agoMIT
express-csp-header19,1132365.8 kB214 days agoWTFPL
Feature Comparison: helmet-csp vs express-csp-header

Integration

  • helmet-csp:

    helmet-csp is designed to work as part of the Helmet middleware suite, which means it integrates well with other security headers provided by Helmet. This makes it a good choice for applications looking to implement multiple security headers in a cohesive manner.

  • express-csp-header:

    express-csp-header integrates easily with Express applications, allowing you to set CSP headers with minimal configuration. It supports both middleware and route-level implementation, giving you flexibility in how you apply CSP policies.

Customization

  • helmet-csp:

    helmet-csp provides a more structured approach to CSP customization, with predefined directives and a clear API for setting policies. While it is customizable, it encourages developers to follow best practices and use the provided structure.

  • express-csp-header:

    express-csp-header offers high customization for CSP policies, allowing you to define directives dynamically based on your application’s needs. You can easily adjust policies for specific routes or conditions, making it very flexible.

Simplicity vs. Structure

  • helmet-csp:

    helmet-csp is more structured and opinionated, which can be beneficial for teams looking for a clear and consistent way to implement CSP. However, this structure may introduce a learning curve for those unfamiliar with Helmet.

  • express-csp-header:

    express-csp-header is simple and straightforward, making it easy to implement CSP without much complexity. Its lightweight nature means it won’t add significant overhead to your application.

Documentation and Community

  • helmet-csp:

    helmet-csp benefits from being part of the well-established Helmet suite, which has extensive documentation and a large community. This makes it a reliable choice for developers looking for a tried-and-true solution for security headers.

  • express-csp-header:

    express-csp-header has clear documentation and an active community, making it easy for developers to understand and implement its features. Its simplicity and flexibility have made it popular among developers looking for a lightweight CSP solution.

Ease of Use: Code Examples

  • helmet-csp:

    Setting CSP with helmet-csp

    const express = require('express');
const helmet = require('helmet');

const app = express();

app.use(helmet.csp({
  directives: {
    defaultSrc: ["'self'"],
    scriptSrc: ["'self'", "https://trustedscripts.example.com"],
    styleSrc: ["'self'", "https://trustedstyles.example.com"],
  },
}));

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('CSP headers set with Helmet!');
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server running on http://localhost:3000');
});
  • express-csp-header:

    Setting CSP with express-csp-header

    const express = require('express');
const { csp } = require('express-csp-header');

const app = express();

app.use(csp({
  defaultSrc: "'self'",
  scriptSrc: ["'self'", "https://trustedscripts.example.com"],
  styleSrc: ["'self'", "https://trustedstyles.example.com"],
}));

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('CSP headers set!');
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server running on http://localhost:3000');
});
How to Choose: helmet-csp vs express-csp-header
  • helmet-csp:

    Choose helmet-csp if you want a comprehensive security solution that integrates seamlessly with other Helmet middleware. It is suitable for applications that benefit from a more structured and opinionated approach to security headers, including CSP.

  • express-csp-header:

    Choose express-csp-header if you need a lightweight and flexible solution for setting CSP headers with fine-grained control over policies. It is ideal for applications that require custom CSP configurations without much overhead.

Similar Npm Packages to express-csp-header

express-csp-header is a middleware for Express.js applications that helps developers implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers. CSP is a security feature that helps prevent various types of attacks, such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and data injection attacks, by controlling which resources can be loaded and executed in a web application. By using express-csp-header, developers can easily configure and manage CSP rules to enhance the security of their applications.

An alternative to express-csp-header is helmet-csp. Helmet is a collection of middleware functions that help secure Express apps by setting various HTTP headers. The helmet-csp module specifically focuses on implementing CSP headers. It allows developers to define a robust CSP policy while providing additional security features that Helmet offers. If you are looking for a comprehensive security solution for your Express application, helmet-csp is a great choice as it integrates well with other Helmet middleware.

To compare these two packages, you can check out the following link: Comparing express-csp-header vs helmet-csp.

README for helmet-csp

Content Security Policy middleware

The Content-Security-Policy header mitigates a large number of attacks, such as [cross-site scripting][XSS]. See MDN's introductory article on Content Security Policy.

This header is powerful but likely requires some configuration for your specific app.

To configure this header, pass an object with a nested directives object. Each key is a directive name in camel case (such as defaultSrc) or kebab case (such as default-src). Each value is an array (or other iterable) of strings or functions for that directive. If a function appears in the array, it will be called with the request and response objects.

const contentSecurityPolicy = require("helmet-csp");

// Sets all of the defaults, but overrides `script-src`
// and disables the default `style-src`.
app.use(
  contentSecurityPolicy({
    directives: {
      "script-src": ["'self'", "example.com"],
      "style-src": null,
    },
  }),
);

// Sets the `script-src` directive to
// "'self' 'nonce-e33cc...'"
// (or similar)
app.use((req, res, next) => {
  res.locals.cspNonce = crypto.randomBytes(32).toString("hex");
  next();
});
app.use(
  contentSecurityPolicy({
    directives: {
      scriptSrc: ["'self'", (req, res) => `'nonce-${res.locals.cspNonce}'`],
    },
  }),
);

These directives are merged into a default policy, which you can disable by setting useDefaults to false.

// Sets "Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self';
// script-src 'self' example.com;object-src 'none';
// upgrade-insecure-requests"
app.use(
  contentSecurityPolicy({
    useDefaults: false,
    directives: {
      defaultSrc: ["'self'"],
      scriptSrc: ["'self'", "example.com"],
      objectSrc: ["'none'"],
      upgradeInsecureRequests: [],
    },
  }),
);

You can get the default directives object with contentSecurityPolicy.getDefaultDirectives(). Here is the default policy (formatted for readability):

default-src 'self';
base-uri 'self';
font-src 'self' https: data:;
form-action 'self';
frame-ancestors 'self';
img-src 'self' data:;
object-src 'none';
script-src 'self';
script-src-attr 'none';
style-src 'self' https: 'unsafe-inline';
upgrade-insecure-requests

The default-src directive can be explicitly disabled by setting its value to contentSecurityPolicy.dangerouslyDisableDefaultSrc, but this is not recommended.

You can set the Content-Security-Policy-Report-Only instead:

// Sets the Content-Security-Policy-Report-Only header
app.use(
  contentSecurityPolicy({
    directives: {
      /* ... */
    },
    reportOnly: true,
  }),
);

This module performs very little validation on your CSP. You should rely on CSP checkers like CSP Evaluator instead.

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