What is URL parameter validation and why is it important?

What is URL parameter validation and why is it important?

URL parameter validation is the process of checking the parameters in a URL to ensure they meet specific criteria. It's important because it helps prevent security vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS), by ensuring that only valid data is processed.

Can you give me an example of how to validate URL parameters?

Sure! For example, if you have a URL like example.com/page?id=123, you can validate the 'id' parameter by checking if it's a numeric value and falls within an expected range.

What tools can I use for URL parameter validation?

You can use libraries like Joi or express-validator in Node.js, or built-in functions in languages like Python or PHP to validate URL parameters.

What are the common mistakes to avoid in URL parameter validation?

Common mistakes include not validating all parameters, relying solely on client-side validation, and not handling unexpected input gracefully.