The Host header: Details you should know when proxying requests

Understanding and handling the Host header in reverse proxies

When proxying requests, it’s crucial to understand the role of the Host header. This header specifies the target server for a request and can be altered by users to access different resources.

The Host Header

The Host header in a request indicates the intended server. For example:

Host: example.com
GET /v1/users

The Host Header in Reverse Proxies

In reverse proxies, the Host header determines the target server. If absent, the proxy uses the original Host header. When redirecting to a different host, ensure the Host header is updated accordingly.

[Read More]