Implementing Custom Bearer Token Validation and Role Authorization in .NET 6 Web API

A comprehensive guide on how to implement custom bearer token validation and user role authorization in your .NET 6 Web API using ASP.NET Core.
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Custom Bearer Token Validation and User Role Authorization in .NET 6 Web API

When developing web APIs, securing endpoints and ensuring that users have the correct permissions to perform actions is crucial. In this guide, we'll address a common scenario faced by developers using .NET 6: how to implement custom bearer token validation and user role authorization in an ASP.NET Core Web API.

The Problem

In a typical setup, your API might not generate the JWT (JSON Web Token) itself. Instead, it retrieves a bearer token by sending user credentials to an external authentication API. The challenge arises when your API receives this token in the request header and needs to validate it while also checking the user's role against your database.

Current Status

Let's break down the current state of the implementation:

You've set up a custom attribute to handle authorization.

You've created a controller method decorated with your custom attribute.

However, you encounter difficulties injecting services into the attribute to facilitate custom logic for token and role validation.

Finding a Solution

To move forward, we can implement a structured approach by creating custom authentication and authorization handlers. Below, we’ll detail the steps involved.

Step 1: Implement Custom Authentication Handler

First, create a custom authentication handler. This handler will be responsible for validating the bearer token and checking if it is legitimate.

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Step 2: Implement Custom Authorization Handler

Next, create a custom authorization handler that validates user roles based on the extracted user ID from the token.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Applying Authorization to Controllers

With everything set up, you can now use the Authorize attribute on your controllers and their actions to enforce role-based security.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By following this guide, you've successfully implemented custom bearer token validation and user role authorization in your ASP.NET Core Web API built on .NET 6. This structured approach allows for a more secure and manageable authentication flow, ensuring only authorized users access protected resources.

Implementing these principles is essential for robust security practices in any API-focused application. Keep coding and stay secure!