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ASP.NET MVC Hosting - HostForLIFEASP.NET :: How to Restrict Uploaded File Type in ASP.NET Core?

clock March 15, 2024 08:57 by author Peter

In ASP.NET Core MVC, you can restrict the file types that can be uploaded by adding server-side validation. Here's a simple example of how to accomplish this:

Why do we need to restrict uploaded File Type in an ASP.NET Core?

  • Security: Allowing unrestricted file uploads can pose security risks. Certain file types, such as executable files (.exe), scripts (.js, .ps1), or files containing macros (.docm), could be used to execute malicious code on the server or client-side when downloaded. Restricting file types mitigates these risks by preventing potentially harmful files from being uploaded.
  • Data Integrity: Limiting the accepted file types ensures that the application only processes files that are compatible with its functionality. Accepting only specific file types reduces the chances of errors or unexpected behavior caused by unsupported file formats.
  • Compliance: In some industries or applications, there might be regulatory or compliance requirements regarding the types of files that can be uploaded. Enforcing restrictions helps ensure compliance with such standards.
  • Resource Management: Different file types require different processing and storage resources. By restricting the allowed file types, you can better manage server resources and avoid unnecessary strain on the system.
  • User Experience: Providing clear restrictions on acceptable file types helps users understand what they can upload, reducing confusion and errors during the file upload process. This improves the overall user experience of the application.

1-Client-Side Validation (Optional): You can use the HTML5 accept attribute on your file input to restrict file types. However, keep in mind that this can be easily bypassed by users, so server-side validation is essential.
<input type="file" name="file" accept=".pdf,.doc,.docx">

2. Server-Side Validation: In your controller action, where you handle the file upload, you can check the file's content type or extension and reject files that are not allowed.
Add a controller

  • In Solution Explorer, right-click Controllers > Add > Controller.
  • In the Add New Scaffolded Item dialog box, select MVC Controller - Empty > Add.
  • In the Add New Item - RestrictUploadedFileSize_Demo dialog, enter FileUploadController.cs and select Add.

Replace the contents of Controllers/ FileUploadController.cs with the following code.
using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;

namespace RestrictUploadedFileSize_Demo.Controllers
{
    public class FileUploadController : Controller
    {
        public IActionResult Index()
        {
            return View();
        }

        [HttpPost]
        public async Task<IActionResult> FileUpload(IFormFile SingleFile)
        {
            if (SingleFile == null || SingleFile.Length == 0)
            {
                ModelState.AddModelError("", "File not selected");
                return View("Index");
            }

            var permittedExtensions = new[] { ".jpg", ".png", ".gif" };
            var extension = Path.GetExtension(SingleFile.FileName).ToLowerInvariant();

            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(extension) || !permittedExtensions.Contains(extension))
            {
                ModelState.AddModelError("", "Invalid file type.");
            }

            // Optional: Validate MIME type as well
            var mimeType = SingleFile.ContentType;
            var permittedMimeTypes = new[] { "image/jpeg", "image/png", "image/gif" };
            if (!permittedMimeTypes.Contains(mimeType))
            {
                ModelState.AddModelError("", "Invalid MIME type.");
            }

            //Validating the File Size
            if (SingleFile.Length > 10000000) // Limit to 10 MB
            {
                ModelState.AddModelError("", "The file is too large.");
            }

            if (ModelState.IsValid)
            {
                var filePath = Path.Combine(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory(), "wwwroot/uploads", SingleFile.FileName);

                //Using Streaming
                using (var stream = new FileStream(filePath, FileMode.Create, FileAccess.Write))
                {
                    await SingleFile.CopyToAsync(stream);
                }

                // Process the file here (e.g., save to the database, storage, etc.)
                return View("UploadSuccess");
            }

            return View("Index");
        }
    }
}


This code snippet checks both the file extension and content type to ensure that it meets your criteria. You can adjust the allowed file types and content types according to your requirements. Additionally, you can improve this validation logic based on your specific needs, such as checking the file's signature or using a more comprehensive file type validation library.Add a view

  • Right-click on the Views folder, then Add > New Folder and name the folder Companies
  • Right-click on the Views/ FileUpload folder, and then Add > New Item.
  • In the Add New Item dialog, select Show All Templates.
  • In the Add New Item - RestrictUploadedFileSize_Demo dialog:
  • In the search box in the upper-right, enter the view
  • Select Razor View - Empty
  • Keep the Name box value, Index.cshtml.
  • Select Add
  • Replace the contents of the Views/Companies/Index.cshtml Razor view file with the following:

Index.cshtml
@{
    ViewData["Title"] = "Index";
}

<h2>File Upload</h2>
<hr />
<div class="row">
    <div class="col-md-12">
        <form method="post" asp-controller="FileUpload" asp-action="FileUpload"enctype="multipart/form-data">
            <div asp-validation-summary="All" class="text-danger"></div>
            <input type="file" name="SingleFile" class="form-control" />
            <button type="submit" name="Upload" class="btn btn-primary">Upload</button>
        </form>
    </div>
</div>


Run the Application

Select Ctrl+F5 to run the app without the debugger. Visual Studio runs the ASP.NET app and opens the default browser.

Restricting uploaded file types in ASP.NET Core increases security, data integrity, regulatory compliance, resource efficiency, and user experience. It's a critical component of developing robust and secure web apps.



ASP.NET MVC Hosting - HostForLIFEASP.NET :: Session Management in ASP.NET Core MVC

clock March 4, 2024 08:32 by author Peter

Importance of Sessions in Web Applications
Sessions bridge this gap by providing a means to preserve user-specific data across multiple requests within a defined period.

  • Maintain User Identity: Sessions are instrumental in user authentication and authorization processes. They allow web applications to identify and track users across various interactions, ensuring secure access to restricted resources.
  • Customized User Experience: Sessions facilitate the personalization of user experiences by storing user preferences, settings, and browsing history. This enables applications to tailor content and functionality based on individual user profiles.
  • Shopping Carts and E-commerce: In e-commerce applications, sessions are indispensable for managing shopping carts and order processing. By persisting cart contents and user selections across page transitions, sessions streamline the purchasing journey and enhance user convenience.
  • Form Persistence: Sessions enable the retention of form data entered by users, safeguarding against data loss during navigation or submission errors. This ensures a seamless and uninterrupted form-filling experience.
  • Tracking User Activity: Sessions empower web analytics and tracking mechanisms by storing user session data, such as page views, interactions, and session duration. This information aids in understanding user behavior and optimizing website performance.

Implement Session Management in ASP.NET Core MVC
Create a New ASP.NET Core MVC Project: Start by creating a new ASP.NET Core MVC project in Visual Studio or using the .NET CLI.

Install Required Packages
Install the required packages for session management using NuGet Package Manager or the .NET CLI. In this example, we'll need the Microsoft.AspNetCore.Session package.

Configure Services

In the ConfigureServices method of the Startup class, add the session services using services.AddSession().

Configure Middleware

In the Configure method of the Startup class, use the session middleware using the app.UseSession().

Create Controllers

Create controllers to handle your application's logic. For this example, we'll use HomeController and RecordsController.

Here I have created a home cotroller with an Index action method to set data into session.
public class HomeController : Controller
{
    private readonly ILogger<HomeController> _logger;

    public HomeController(ILogger<HomeController> logger)
    {
        _logger = logger;
    }

    public IActionResult Index()
    {
        // Add list of records to session
        var records = new List<Record>
        {
            new Record { Id = 1, Name = "Record 1" },
            new Record { Id = 2, Name = "Record 2" },
            // Add more records here as needed
        };

        var serializedRecords = JsonSerializer.Serialize(records);
        HttpContext.Session.SetString("Records", serializedRecords);
        return RedirectToAction("GetRecords", "Records");
    }
}


Store Data in Session
In one of your controller actions (for example, the Index action of HomeController), store the data you want to maintain in the session. Serialize complex types like lists into strings or byte arrays before storing them.

I have stored data using var serializedRecords = JsonSerializer.Serialize(records);

Retrieve Data from Session
In another controller action (for example, the GetRecords action of RecordsController), retrieve the data from the session. Deserialize the stored data back into its original type if necessary.

public class RecordsController : Controller
{
    public IActionResult GetRecords()
    {
        // Retrieve list of records from session
        var records = HttpContext.Session.Get<List<Record>>("Records");
        return View(records);
    }
}


Summary
Session management is a fundamental aspect of web development, enabling developers to create interactive, personalized, and secure web applications.



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