What are the implications of utilizing a query string in a POST request?

In our system, POST requests are sent from the frontend to the backend. Instead of using the body to pass data to the server, these requests utilize query strings in the URL params.

It is important to note that these requests only contain string parameters and do not send files or JSON.

The current W3C documentation does not address this particular situation: https://www.w3.org/Protocols/rfc2616/rfc2616-sec9.html

Is it considered a poor practice to use query strings for POST requests? Are there potential negative consequences related to security, performance, or architecture when utilizing this method?

Are there established conventions that dictate when to use the request body versus query strings for different types of requests?

javascriptformsrestpostnetworking

Answer №1

Just a friendly reminder: Back in 2014, the classic RFC2616 got replaced by a series of new RFCs (7230-7237).

So, what's the deal with using query strings in a POST request? Is it frowned upon?

Well, not necessarily if you understand what you're doing.

From a technical standpoint, everything seems to check out: can we use POST with a target-uri containing a query-string? Absolutely. Can we fire off a POST request with an empty message body? Yes. Can we combo both those actions together? Sure thing.

The real question is: will such a POST request mess up cache validity for the right representations?

Cache-invalidation kicks in when the server responds without errors to an unsafe request (and POST falls under that category). The targeted representations that end up invalidated are the ones corresponding to the target-uri in the unsafe request.

GET /foo?a=b HTTP/2.0
POST /foo?a=b HTTP/2.0

If the POST operation succeeds here, any cached representations from the successful GET call will get flushed out.

GET /foo HTTP/2.0
POST /foo?a=b HTTP/2.0

In this scenario, the effective request-uri doesn't match up exactly, meaning standard components probably won't wipe clean the stored info for /foo.

Answer №2

Using query parameters in a URL for a POST request is perfectly acceptable, whether with or without a request body. If it aligns with the semantics of your request, then go ahead. The POST method carries its own semantic meaning separate from GET, and it does not necessarily need a request body to be effective. Furthermore, the URL itself provides another level of distinction. An example of this could be:

POST /foo/bar?token=83q2fn2093c8jm203

This demonstrates passing a token through the URL.

In terms of security, there isn't a major issue here as someone who can intercept the POST request to view the URL could also access the body data. It's unlikely for an attacker to only have access to the URL but not the body. However, URLs are typically logged in server access logs and browser histories, unlike request bodies. This may be something to consider based on the information transported in those parameters and who has access to those logs.

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