CSRF Token Generator

What is CSRF?

CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) is an attack that forces authenticated users to execute unwanted actions on a web application. CSRF tokens are random, unique values that verify that requests originate from the legitimate user and not from a malicious site.

Our free CSRF Token Generator creates cryptographically secure random tokens that can be used to protect web applications from CSRF attacks. These tokens should be stored server-side (in sessions or cookies) and verified on each state-changing request.

Why Use CSRF Tokens?

CSRF tokens are essential for:

• Preventing unauthorized actions on user accounts
• Protecting against Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks
• Verifying request authenticity
• Securing state-changing operations
• Meeting security best practices

How CSRF Tokens Work

1. Generate Token: Server generates a unique token for each user session
2. Store Token: Token is stored in session or cookie
3. Include in Forms: Token is included in forms as a hidden field
4. Send with Requests: Token is sent with AJAX requests in headers
5. Verify on Server: Server verifies token matches session token

Best Practices

• Use Cryptographically Secure Tokens: Generate random, unpredictable tokens
• Store Securely: Store tokens in server-side sessions or secure cookies
• Include in All Forms: Add tokens to all state-changing forms
• Verify on Server: Always verify tokens server-side
• Regenerate After Use: Consider regenerating tokens after use
• Use Same-Site Cookies: Use SameSite cookie attribute for additional protection

Implementation Example

// Server-side (Node.js example)
const token = crypto.randomBytes(32).toString('hex');
session.csrfToken = token;

// Client-side (HTML form)
<form method="POST" action="/submit">
  <input type="hidden" name="csrf_token" value={token}>
  {/* form fields */}
</form>

// Server-side verification
if (req.body.csrf_token !== session.csrfToken) {
  return res.status(403).send('Invalid CSRF token');
}

FAQs

What is CSRF?

CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) is an attack that tricks authenticated users into executing unwanted actions on web applications.

How do CSRF tokens prevent attacks?

CSRF tokens verify that requests originate from the legitimate user by requiring a token that only the legitimate site knows.

Where should I store CSRF tokens?

Store CSRF tokens server-side in sessions or secure cookies. Never store them in client-side JavaScript variables.

Do I need CSRF tokens for GET requests?

CSRF tokens are primarily needed for state-changing operations (POST, PUT, DELETE). GET requests should be idempotent and safe.

Can I reuse CSRF tokens?

It's generally recommended to regenerate CSRF tokens periodically or after use for enhanced security, though single-use tokens are most secure.