One common security risk in SaaS applications, especially those interacting with APIs, is the exposure of private API keys. Most APIs require an API key for access, and a significant security flaw in Next.js applications can occur when these keys are inadvertently exposed to clients. This exposure presents a substantial security risk.
In this section, we'll
Let's dive into a common security pitfall and fix it! We're going to convert the page.tsx in our "Security: Exposing API Keys" app to a Server Component. Why? Because we don't want our API keys hanging out in the browser for anyone to see!
page.tsx to a Server Component.NEXT_PUBLIC_DUMMY_API_KEY should not be exposed to the Browser.page.tsx, you've nailed it!Let's Get Coding!
Now, let's break it down:
Click on "Client Component" and you'll see:
Click on "Server Component" and you'll get:
Here's the kicker: If we leave our API keys exposed in Client Components, we're basically leaving our house keys under the doormat. Anyone who knows where to look can find them!
Think of them as a secure vault 🔓 inside your bank. You can store your valuables (like API keys) there, and only authorized personnel (your server) can access them. Clients can request information, but they never get to see inside the vault.
Sure, you could set up a separate API to handle this, but Server Components make it smoother. It's like having a built-in security system instead of hiring a separate security guard.
By understanding both the problem and the solution, you'll be better equipped to build secure Next.js applications that interact safely with private APIs.
There's a ton more to unpack here as we are barely scratching the surface but don't worry – we'll dive deep into all of this in The Modern Full Stack Next.js Course . You can sign up for the course here .
Stay tuned!
Client Component
{"data":"data from Client Component API"}
Server Component
{"data":"data from Server Component API"}