This is an old revision of Users/EoNy/dev from 05/05/2026 19:10 edited by EoNy.

dev

# HTTP Class Technical Documentation


## Overview


The `Http` class (`src/class/http.php`) is a core component of the WackoWiki system responsible for handling HTTP request/response processing, session management, caching, and security features. This class acts as a bridge between the web server and the wiki engine.


File Location: `src/class/http.php`
Language: PHP
Dependencies: Database class, Session classes, Utility classes (`Ut`), Diagnostics class (`Diag`)


## Class Properties


### Public Properties


| Property | Type | Description |
|


|


|


| | `$tls_session` | bool | Indicates if the current session uses HTTPS/TLS encryption |
| `$request_uri` | string | Normalized REQUEST_URI (e.g., 'PageOfNoReturn/show?a=1') |
| `$ip` | string | Client's real IP address (accounts for proxies) |
| `$sess` | Session | Reference to the Session object |
| `$method` | string | Current HTTP method/request type |


### Private Properties


| Property | Type | Description |
|


|


|


| | `$db` | object | Database connection reference |
| `$tls_mark` | string | Cookie name for TLS session marking |
| `$page` | string | Current page name being processed |
| `$hash` | string | SHA1 hash of the page name |
| `$query` | string | Encoded query string |
| `$lang` | string | Current language code |
| `$file` | string | Cache file path |
| `$caching` | int | Flag indicating if page should be cached (0 or 1) |


## Constructor


`php
public function __construct(&$db)	

`


Purpose: Initializes the Http object and sets up HTTP session handling.


Parameters:
- `$db` - Database object reference


Initialization Steps:
1. Stores database reference
2. Extracts and normalizes REQUEST_URI
3. Detects TLS/HTTPS session status
4. Determines client's real IP address
5. Sets up TLS mark cookie name
6. Enforces TLS session upgrade if needed


Example:

`php
$http = new Http($db);	

`


## Core Methods


### Session Management


`session($route): void`
Initializes the session handler (file-based or database-based).


Parameters:
- `$route` (int) - Routing flag:

  • Bit 2 (`$route & 2`): Enable static mode for files/freecap (disables replay prevention and ID regeneration)

Features:
- Selects storage backend (file or database)
- Configures cookie settings (security, path, httponly)
- Binds IP and TLS validation
- Recovers diagnostic logs from previous session


Example:

`php
$http->session(0);  // Normal session
$http->session(2);  // Static file serving mode	

`


### Caching System


`check_cache($page, $method): void`
Determines if a page can be cached and prepares the cache check.


Parameters:
- `$page` (string) - Page name to cache
- `$method` (string) - Request method/action (e.g., 'show', 'edit')


Caching Rules:
- ✅ Enabled for GET requests only
- ✅ Disabled for POST requests
- ❌ Never cached for 'edit' or 'watch' methods
- ✅ Only cached for anonymous users (no logged-in users)


Example:

`php
$http->check_cache('HomePage', 'show');	

`


`store_cache(): void`
Saves the generated page content to cache file.


Features:
- Retrieves output buffer content
- Saves to cache file with proper permissions
- Records cache metadata in database
- Only executes if caching flag is set and user is anonymous


Example:

`php
// Called at end of page rendering
$http->store_cache();	

`


`invalidate_page($page): int`
Invalidates all cached versions of a page.


Parameters:
- `$page` (string) - Page name to invalidate


Returns:
- Number of cache entries invalidated


Process:
1. Finds all cached versions (different methods/languages)
2. Touches files to past timestamp (faster than deletion)
3. Removes entries from cache metadata table
4. Returns count of invalidated caches


Example:

`php
$count = $http->invalidate_page('HomePage');
echo "Invalidated $count cache entries";	

`


### TLS/HTTPS Security


`secure_base_url(): void`
Switches base URL from HTTP to HTTPS.


Purpose:
- Ensures all subsequent URLs use HTTPS
- Stores original HTTP URL for fallback
- Called when TLS session is detected


Example:

`php
$http->secure_base_url();
// $db->base_url now uses https://	

`


`ensure_tls($url): void`
Enforces HTTPS for a specific URL and redirects if necessary.


Parameters:
- `$url` (string) - URL to secure


Behavior:
- If not already HTTPS and TLS is enabled, forces HTTPS redirect
- Handles both relative and absolute URLs
- Converts relative URLs using current server name


Example:

`php
$http->ensure_tls('/secure/payment');	

`


### IP Address Detection


`real_ip(): string` (Private)
Detects client's real IP address accounting for proxies.


Proxy Headers Checked (in order):
1. `HTTP_X_CLUSTER_CLIENT_IP`
2. `HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR` (or custom header)
3. `HTTP_CLIENT_IP`
4. `HTTP_X_REMOTE_ADDR`
5. `REMOTE_ADDR` (fallback)


Features:
- Filters out private/reserved IP ranges
- Respects configured reverse proxy addresses
- Returns `'0.0.0.0'` as fallback


Configuration in Database:
- `reverse_proxy_addresses` - Comma/space-separated proxy IPs
- `reverse_proxy_header` - Custom header name (default: `X-Forwarded-For`)


Example:

`php
$client_ip = $http->ip;  // e.g., "203.0.113.42"	

`


### HTTPS Detection


`tls_session(): bool` (Private)
Detects if current connection uses HTTPS/TLS.


Checks (any being true = HTTPS):
- `$_SERVER['HTTPS']` is 'on'
- `$_SERVER['SERVER_PORT']` is 443
- `$_SERVER['HTTP_X_FORWARDED_PROTO']` is 'https'
- `$_SERVER['HTTP_X_FORWARDED_SSL']` is 'on'
- `$_SERVER['HTTP_X_FORWARDED_PORT']` is 443


### Security Headers


`http_security_headers(): void`
Sets security-related HTTP headers.


Headers Set:


| Header | Purpose | Config Key |
|


|


|


| | Content-Security-Policy | XSS/injection protection | `csp` |
| Permissions-Policy | Control browser features | `permissions_policy` |
| Referrer-Policy | Control referrer information | `referrer_policy` |
| Strict-Transport-Security | Force HTTPS | Auto (TLS only) |
| X-Frame-Options | Clickjacking protection | Hardcoded: `SAMEORIGIN` |
| X-Content-Type-Options | MIME sniffing prevention | Hardcoded: `nosniff` |


CSP Configuration Options:
- `0` - Disabled
- `1` - Default policy (from `csp.conf`)
- `2` - Custom policy (from `csp_custom.conf`)


Example:

`php
$http->http_security_headers();	

`


### HTTP Methods


`redirect($url, $permanent = false): void`
Performs an HTTP redirect.


Parameters:
- `$url` (string) - Target URL
- `$permanent` (bool) - Use 301 (permanent) vs 302 (temporary)


Features:
- Decodes `&` entities to prevent broken redirects
- Only works if headers not yet sent
- Uses output buffering to work anywhere in page processing


Example:

`php
$http->redirect('http://example.com/new-page', true);  // 301
$http->redirect('/wiki/HomePage');                       // 302	

`


`terminate(): void`
Safe exit/die with cleanup.


Cleanup Operations:
- Saves diagnostic logs to session flash data
- Ends script execution


Example:

`php
$http->terminate();	

`


`status($code): void`
Sets HTTP response status code.


Supported Status Codes:

`php
200 => 'OK'
206 => 'Partial Content'
301 => 'Moved Permanently'
302 => 'Moved Temporarily'
304 => 'Not Modified'
400 => 'Bad Request'
401 => 'Unauthorized'
403 => 'Forbidden'
404 => 'Not Found'
405 => 'Method Not Allowed'
409 => 'Conflict'
410 => 'Gone'
416 => 'Requested Range Not Satisfiable'
500 => 'Internal Server Error'
501 => 'Not Implemented'
503 => 'Service Unavailable'	

`


Example:

`php
$http->status(404);  // Send 404 Not Found	

`


### Caching Control


`no_cache($client_only = true): void`
Disables caching of the current page.


Parameters:
- `$client_only` (bool, default: TRUE)

  • `TRUE`: Disable browser cache only
  • `FALSE`: Disable both browser and server cache

Headers Set:
- `Last-Modified: <current-time>` (always fresh)
- `Cache-Control: no-store`


Example:

`php
$http->no_cache();        // Client-side only
$http->no_cache(false);   // Both client & server	

`


`cache_promisc(): void`
Marks page as publicly cacheable.


Headers Set:
- `Cache-Control: public`


Example:

`php
$http->cache_promisc();	

`


### Language Negotiation


`user_agent_language(): string`
Determines best language based on browser preferences.


Features:
- Follows RFC 9110 section 12.5.4 (HTTP Accept-Language)
- Parses `Accept-Language` header with quality factors
- Attempts exact match first, then language fallback
- Falls back to default system language


Example Header:

`
Accept-Language: en-US,en;q=0.9,de;q=0.8	

`


Returns:
- Language code (e.g., 'en', 'en-US', 'de')


`available_languages($subset = true): array`
Returns list of available language translations.


Parameters:
- `$subset` (bool, default: TRUE)

  • `TRUE`: Only allowed languages
  • `FALSE`: All available languages

Features:
- Scans `LANG_DIR` for language files
- Filters by `allowed_languages` config if set
- Caches result in session
- System language always included


Returns:
- Associative array: `['en' => 'en', 'de' => 'de', ...]`


Example:

`php
$all_langs = $http->available_languages(false);
$allowed = $http->available_languages(true);	

`


### File Serving


`sendfile($path, $filename = null, $age = null): void`
Serves files with proper HTTP headers and caching.


Parameters:
- `$path` (string) - File path (or HTTP_XXX constant for error pages)
- `$filename` (string, optional) - Custom download filename
- `$age` (int, optional) - Cache age in days


Features:
- HTTP range request support (partial file downloads)
- ETag and Last-Modified conditional requests
- Proper MIME type detection
- Content-Security-Policy for special file types
- Streaming for large files
- GZip compression for text files


Special Paths:

`php
$http->sendfile(404);  // Serves file defined by HTTP_404 constant
$http->sendfile(403);  // Serves file defined by HTTP_403 constant	

`


Example:

`php
$http->sendfile('uploads/document.pdf', 'my-document.pdf', 30);	

`


`mime_type($path): string`
Returns MIME type for a file.


Returns:
- MIME type string (e.g., 'application/pdf')
- Default: `'application/octet-stream'`


Example:

`php
$mime = $http->mime_type('file.pdf');  // 'application/pdf'	

`


`mime_types(): array` (Private)
Loads and caches MIME types from configuration.


Features:
- Reads from `config/mime.types`
- Caches to `cache/config/mime.types`
- Reloads if config is updated


### Compression


`gzip(): void`
Compresses HTTP response with gzip/x-gzip.


Features:
- Manually implements gzip (not relying on zlib.output_compression)
- Produces correct `Content-Length` header
- Only compresses if:

  • 860 bytes < content < 1 MB
  • Client accepts compression
  • Headers not already sent

Example:

`php
$http->gzip();	

`


### Utility Methods


`parse_str($str): array` (Private)
Parses URL-encoded strings with special character handling.


Purpose:
- Safely handles special characters in query/form data
- Converts encoding properly


Example:

`php
$data = $http->parse_str('name=John&age=30');	

`


`request_uri(): string` (Private)
Extracts and normalizes REQUEST_URI from server.


Normalization:
- Removes base URL prefix
- Removes spaces
- Collapses multiple slashes
- Removes `..` path traversal attempts
- Removes leading/trailing slashes


`cut_prefix($prefix, $path): string` (Private)
Removes prefix from path (case-insensitive).


`get_header_conf($file_name): string` (Private)
Loads security header configuration from files.


Files Supported:
- `csp.conf` / `csp_custom.conf`
- `permissions_policy.conf` / `permissions_policy_custom.conf`


## Configuration Dependencies


The class relies on these database configuration settings:


| Setting | Type | Purpose |
|


|


|


| | `base_url` | string | Wiki's base URL |
| `tls` | bool | Enable HTTPS enforcement |
| `cache` | bool | Enable page caching |
| `cache_ttl` | int | Cache lifetime in seconds |
| `session_store` | int | 1=File, 0=Database |
| `system_seed_hash` | string | Session encryption seed |
| `cookie_prefix` | string | Session cookie prefix |
| `cookie_path` | string | Cookie path |
| `allow_persistent_cookie` | bool | Allow persistent login |
| `session_length` | int | Session lifetime in seconds |
| `reverse_proxy_addresses` | string | Comma/space-separated proxy IPs |
| `reverse_proxy_header` | string | Custom X-Forwarded header |
| `language` | string | Default language code |
| `multilanguage` | bool | Enable language negotiation |
| `allowed_languages` | string | Comma/space-separated allowed langs |
| `enable_security_headers` | bool | Send security headers |
| `csp` | int | CSP setting (0/1/2) |
| `permissions_policy` | int | Permissions-Policy setting (0/1/2) |
| `referrer_policy` | int | Referrer-Policy setting (0-8) |


## Constants Used


| Constant | Type | Purpose |
|


|


|


| | `IN_WACKO` | bool | Security check (exit if not defined) |
| `CHMOD_SAFE` | int | File permissions for cache files |
| `CHMOD_FILE` | int | File permissions for config cache |
| `CACHE_PAGE_DIR` | string | Page cache directory |
| `CACHE_SESSION_DIR` | string | Session cache directory |
| `CACHE_CONFIG_DIR` | string | Config cache directory |
| `CONFIG_DIR` | string | Configuration directory |
| `LANG_DIR` | string | Language files directory |
| `DAYSECS` | int | Seconds in a day (86400) |
| `HTTP_404` | string | Path to 404 error page |
| `HTTP_403` | string | Path to 403 error page |


## Workflow Examples


### Example 1: Handling a GET Request


`php
// In main wiki entry point
$http = new Http($db);
$http->session(0);  // Start session

// Check if page can be served from cache
$http->check_cache('HomePage', 'show');

// ... render page content ...

// Store rendered page in cache if applicable
$http->store_cache();

// Send security headers
$http->http_security_headers();

// Possibly compress output
$http->gzip();	

`


### Example 2: Handling TLS/HTTPS Upgrade


`php
$http = new Http($db);  // Constructor detects TLS requirement
// If TLS is enabled and user wasn't in TLS before:
// - Sets TLS session flag
// - Marks session with TLS cookie
// - Redirects to HTTPS version	

`


### Example 3: Invalidating Cache After Page Edit


`php
// User edits a page
$http = new Http($db);
$count = $http->invalidate_page('HomePage');
// All cached versions (different languages, methods) are invalidated	

`


### Example 4: Serving a File


`php
$http = new Http($db);
$http->session(2);  // Static file mode - no session replay prevention

// Serve with 30-day cache
$http->sendfile('uploads/manual.pdf', 'user-manual.pdf', 30);	

`


## Security Considerations


### 1. IP Address Spoofing
- Validates IPs against private ranges
- Filters proxy-provided IPs appropriately
- Configurable reverse proxy trust


### 2. Session Security
- Binds sessions to IP address
- Binds sessions to TLS status
- Supports both file and database storage
- HttpOnly cookies by default


### 3. TLS Enforcement
- Automatic HTTPS upgrade when configured
- Marks TLS sessions to prevent downgrade attacks
- HSTS header support


### 4. Content Security
- CSP headers to prevent XSS
- X-Frame-Options to prevent clickjacking
- X-Content-Type-Options to prevent MIME sniffing
- Referrer-Policy control
- Permissions-Policy for browser features


### 5. File Serving
- Validates file existence and readability
- Prevents directory traversal via `realpath()`
- Rejects symbolic links
- Special CSP for SVG and PDF files


### 6. Cache Security
- Cached only for anonymous users
- Disabled for sensitive operations (edit, watch)
- Only GET requests cached


## Performance Optimization


### 1. Page Caching
- Stores full HTML output
- TTL-based expiration
- Language and method-aware caching
- Conditional request support (304 Not Modified)


### 2. MIME Type Caching
- Loads MIME types once and caches
- Regenerates only when config changes


### 3. Session Options
- File-based sessions for simple deployments
- Database sessions for distributed systems


### 4. Compression
- Manual gzip implementation
- Proper Content-Length generation
- Only compresses appropriate sizes


## Debugging


The class integrates with WackoWiki's diagnostic system:


`php
// Diagnostic messages are preserved across redirects
// via session flash data

// Check cached pages (debug comments in output):
// <!-- WackoWiki Caching Engine: page cached at 2024-01-15 12:30:45 GMT -->	

`


## Related Classes


- Session Classes (`SessionFileStore`, `SessionDbalStore`) - Session management backends
- Database Class - Configuration and cache metadata storage
- Ut Utility Class - String/path utilities
- Diag Class - Diagnostic logging


## Version History


- Supports PHP 8.0+ (uses match expressions, union types)
- Follows RFC 9110 for HTTP header handling
- Modern cookie security practices


## Conclusion


The `Http` class is the central request/response handler in WackoWiki, managing everything from session initialization to security headers to file serving. Understanding this class is essential for:


- Extending WackoWiki with custom request handlers
- Implementing custom session logic
- Adding new security policies
- Optimizing cache strategies
- Debugging HTTP-related issues