Creating an Update Password API Using Spring Boot: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction
Setting Up the Project
Creating the Password DTO
Developing the Auth Controller
Configuring Security Settings
Testing the Update Password API
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Conclusion

Introduction

In the realm of web development, ensuring secure user authentication and authorization is paramount. One critical aspect of this is allowing users to update their passwords securely. This eBook delves into creating an Update Password API using Spring Boot, a powerful framework for building robust Java applications. Whether you’re a beginner or a developer with basic knowledge, this guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to implementing this functionality effectively.

Why Update Password API Matters

Security: Protecting user data by allowing password changes enhances security measures.
User Trust: Providing users with the ability to manage their credentials fosters trust in your application.
Compliance: Meeting security standards and regulations often requires such functionalities.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Enhances application security	Requires careful handling to avoid vulnerabilities
Improves user experience	Implementation can be complex for beginners
Compliance with security standards	Potential for bugs if not properly tested

When and Where to Use

User Profile Management: Allowing users to update their passwords within their profiles.
Security Enhancements: Implementing password change features during security audits.
Account Recovery Processes: Facilitating password resets as part of account recovery.

Setting Up the Project

Before diving into coding, it’s essential to set up your Spring Boot project correctly. Ensure you have the necessary tools and dependencies in place.

Prerequisites

Java Development Kit (JDK): Version 8 or higher.
Maven: For project management and dependency handling.
Integrated Development Environment (IDE): Such as IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse.
Postman or Swagger: For API testing.

Project Structure

A well-organized project structure enhances maintainability and scalability. Here’s a glimpse of the essential components:

src/
 └── main/
     ├── java/
     │   └── org/studyeasy/SpringRestdemo/
     │       ├── controller/
     │       ├── model/
     │       ├── payload/auth/
     │       ├── repository/
     │       ├── security/
     │       └── service/
     └── resources/
         └── application.properties

src/

└── main/

├── java/

│ └── org/studyeasy/SpringRestdemo/

│ ├── controller/

│ ├── model/

│ ├── payload/auth/

│ ├── repository/

│ ├── security/

│ └── service/

└── resources/

└── application.properties

Adding Dependencies

Ensure your pom.xml includes the necessary dependencies for Spring Boot, Spring Security, and Swagger for API documentation.


&lt;dependencies&gt;
    &lt;!-- Spring Boot Starter Web --&gt;
    &lt;dependency&gt;
        &lt;groupId&gt;org.springframework.boot&lt;/groupId&gt;
        &lt;artifactId&gt;spring-boot-starter-web&lt;/artifactId&gt;
    &lt;/dependency&gt;
    
    &lt;!-- Spring Boot Starter Security --&gt;
    &lt;dependency&gt;
        &lt;groupId&gt;org.springframework.boot&lt;/groupId&gt;
        &lt;artifactId&gt;spring-boot-starter-security&lt;/artifactId&gt;
    &lt;/dependency&gt;
    
    &lt;!-- Swagger for API Documentation --&gt;
    &lt;dependency&gt;
        &lt;groupId&gt;io.springfox&lt;/groupId&gt;
        &lt;artifactId&gt;springfox-boot-starter&lt;/artifactId&gt;
        &lt;version&gt;3.0.0&lt;/version&gt;
    &lt;/dependency&gt;
    
    &lt;!-- Validation --&gt;
    &lt;dependency&gt;
        &lt;groupId&gt;org.springframework.boot&lt;/groupId&gt;
        &lt;artifactId&gt;spring-boot-starter-validation&lt;/artifactId&gt;
    &lt;/dependency&gt;
    
    &lt;!-- Other dependencies as needed --&gt;
&lt;/dependencies&gt;

<groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>

<artifactId>spring-boot-starter-web</artifactId>

</dependency>

<groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>

<artifactId>spring-boot-starter-security</artifactId>

</dependency>

<groupId>io.springfox</groupId>

<artifactId>springfox-boot-starter</artifactId>

</dependency>

<groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>

<artifactId>spring-boot-starter-validation</artifactId>

</dependency>

</dependencies>

Creating the Password DTO

Data Transfer Objects (DTOs) are essential for transferring data between layers. We’ll create a PasswordDTO to handle password updates.

Defining the PasswordDTO Class

Create a new Java class named PasswordDTO.java in the payload/auth/ directory.


package org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.payload.auth;

import javax.validation.constraints.Size;

public class PasswordDTO {

    @Size(min = 6, max = 20, message = "Password must be between 6 and 20 characters")
    private String password;

    // Default constructor
    public PasswordDTO() {}

    // All-arguments constructor
    public PasswordDTO(String password) {
        this.password = password;
    }

    // Getter
    public String getPassword() {
        return password;
    }

    // Setter
    public void setPassword(String password) {
        this.password = password;
    }
}

package org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.payload.auth;

import javax.validation.constraints.Size;

public class PasswordDTO {

@Size(min = 6, max = 20, message = "Password must be between 6 and 20 characters")

private String password;

// Default constructor

public PasswordDTO() {}

// All-arguments constructor

public PasswordDTO(String password) {

this.password = password;

}

// Getter

public String getPassword() {

return password;

}

// Setter

public void setPassword(String password) {

this.password = password;

}

Key Concepts and Terminology

DTO (Data Transfer Object): A design pattern used to transfer data between software application layers.
Validation Annotations: Ensure that the data meets specific criteria before processing.

Developing the Auth Controller

The AuthController handles authentication-related endpoints, including updating passwords.

Implementing the Update Password API

Navigate to AuthController.java in the controller/ directory and add the update password method.


package org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.controller;

import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;
import org.springframework.http.HttpStatus;
import org.springframework.http.ResponseEntity;
import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.*;
import org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.payload.auth.PasswordDTO;
import org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.payload.auth.AccountViewDTO;
import org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.model.Account;
import org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.service.AccountService;

import javax.validation.Valid;

@RestController
@RequestMapping("/auth/profile")
public class AuthController {

    @Autowired
    private AccountService accountService;

    @PutMapping("/updatePassword")
    public ResponseEntity<AccountViewDTO> updatePassword(
            @Valid @RequestBody PasswordDTO passwordDTO) {
        
        Account account = accountService.getCurrentUser();
        account.setPassword(passwordDTO.getPassword());
        Account updatedAccount = accountService.save(account);

        AccountViewDTO accountViewDTO = new AccountViewDTO(
                updatedAccount.getId(),
                updatedAccount.getEmail(),
                updatedAccount.getAuthorities()
        );

        return new ResponseEntity<>(accountViewDTO, HttpStatus.OK);
    }
}

package org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.controller;

import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;

import org.springframework.http.HttpStatus;

import org.springframework.http.ResponseEntity;

import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.*;

import org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.payload.auth.PasswordDTO;

import org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.payload.auth.AccountViewDTO;

import org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.model.Account;

import org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.service.AccountService;

import javax.validation.Valid;

@RestController

@RequestMapping("/auth/profile")

public class AuthController {

@Autowired

private AccountService accountService;

@PutMapping("/updatePassword")

public ResponseEntity<AccountViewDTO> updatePassword(

@Valid @RequestBody PasswordDTO passwordDTO) {

Account account = accountService.getCurrentUser();

account.setPassword(passwordDTO.getPassword());

Account updatedAccount = accountService.save(account);

AccountViewDTO accountViewDTO = new AccountViewDTO(

updatedAccount.getId(),

updatedAccount.getEmail(),

updatedAccount.getAuthorities()

);

return new ResponseEntity<>(accountViewDTO, HttpStatus.OK);

}

Explanation of the Code

Endpoint Definition: The @PutMapping("/updatePassword") annotation defines the endpoint URL and HTTP method.
Request Body: The method accepts a PasswordDTO object containing the new password.
Service Interaction: Retrieves the current user, updates the password, and saves the updated account using AccountService.
Response: Returns an AccountViewDTO with relevant account information, excluding sensitive data like the password.

Code Breakdown


@PutMapping("/updatePassword")
public ResponseEntity<AccountViewDTO> updatePassword(
        @Valid @RequestBody PasswordDTO passwordDTO) {
    
    // Retrieve the current authenticated user
    Account account = accountService.getCurrentUser();
    
    // Update the password
    account.setPassword(passwordDTO.getPassword());
    
    // Save the updated account
    Account updatedAccount = accountService.save(account);

    // Prepare the response DTO
    AccountViewDTO accountViewDTO = new AccountViewDTO(
            updatedAccount.getId(),
            updatedAccount.getEmail(),
            updatedAccount.getAuthorities()
    );

    // Return the response with HTTP status 200 OK
    return new ResponseEntity<>(accountViewDTO, HttpStatus.OK);
}

@PutMapping("/updatePassword")

public ResponseEntity<AccountViewDTO> updatePassword(

@Valid @RequestBody PasswordDTO passwordDTO) {

// Retrieve the current authenticated user

Account account = accountService.getCurrentUser();

// Update the password

account.setPassword(passwordDTO.getPassword());

// Save the updated account

Account updatedAccount = accountService.save(account);

// Prepare the response DTO

AccountViewDTO accountViewDTO = new AccountViewDTO(

updatedAccount.getId(),

updatedAccount.getEmail(),

updatedAccount.getAuthorities()

);

// Return the response with HTTP status 200 OK

return new ResponseEntity<>(accountViewDTO, HttpStatus.OK);

}

Configuring Security Settings

Proper security configurations ensure that only authenticated users can access the Update Password API.

Updating Security Configuration

In SecurityConfig.java, adjust the security settings to permit access to the update password endpoint.


package org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.security;

import org.springframework.security.config.annotation.web.builders.HttpSecurity;
import org.springframework.security.config.annotation.web.configuration.WebSecurityConfigurerAdapter;

public class SecurityConfig extends WebSecurityConfigurerAdapter {

    @Override
    protected void configure(HttpSecurity http) throws Exception {
        http
            // Other security configurations
            .authorizeRequests()
                .antMatchers("/auth/profile/updatePassword").authenticated()
                // Other endpoint permissions
                .and()
            // Additional configurations like CSRF, session management
    }
}

package org.studyeasy.SpringRestdemo.security;

import org.springframework.security.config.annotation.web.builders.HttpSecurity;

import org.springframework.security.config.annotation.web.configuration.WebSecurityConfigurerAdapter;

public class SecurityConfig extends WebSecurityConfigurerAdapter {

@Override

protected void configure(HttpSecurity http) throws Exception {

http

// Other security configurations

.authorizeRequests()

.antMatchers("/auth/profile/updatePassword").authenticated()

// Other endpoint permissions

.and()

// Additional configurations like CSRF, session management

}

Key Points

AntMatchers: Specifies URL patterns and access requirements.
Authenticated: Ensures that only logged-in users can access the endpoint.

Testing the Update Password API

Testing ensures that the API functions as intended and handles edge cases gracefully.

Using Swagger for Testing

Swagger provides an interactive UI to test your APIs effortlessly.

Access Swagger UI: Navigate to http://localhost:8080/swagger-ui/ in your web browser.
Locate Update Password Endpoint: Find the PUT /auth/profile/updatePassword endpoint.
Authorize: Click on the “Authorize” button and enter your token.
Execute the Request:
- Request Body:
  
  Java
  
  { "password": "newSecurePassword123" }
  
  1
  2
  3
  
  {
  "password": "newSecurePassword123"
  }
- Response:
  
  Java
  
  { "id": 1, "email": "user@example.com", "authorities": ["ROLE_USER"] }
  
  1
  2
  3
  4
  5
  
  {
      "id": 1,
      "email": "user@example.com",
      "authorities": ["ROLE_USER"]
  }
Verify Changes:
- Attempt to log in with the new password to confirm the update.

Sample Execution Flow

Initial Attempt:
- Password: password
- Response: 401 Unauthorized
Authorization: Enter a valid token.
Update Password: Change to pass111.
Final Verification:
- Old Password: password → 400 Bad Request
- New Password: pass111 → Successful Login

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Implementing APIs can sometimes lead to unexpected challenges. Here’s how to address common problems encountered during the development of the Update Password API.

Issue 1: Missing No-Arg Constructor in DTO

Symptom: Encountering serialization or deserialization errors indicating the absence of a no-argument constructor.

Solution:
Ensure that your PasswordDTO class includes a default constructor.


public PasswordDTO() {}

public PasswordDTO() {}

Issue 2: Insufficient Scope Error

Symptom: Receiving a 401 Unauthorized or 403 Forbidden response when attempting to update the password.

Solution:
Verify that the security settings permit access to the /auth/profile/updatePassword endpoint and that the user has the necessary authorities.

Issue 3: Password Encoding

Symptom: Passwords are not being encoded, leading to security vulnerabilities.

Solution:
Ensure that the AccountService handles password encoding before saving the account.


public Account save(Account account) {
    account.setPassword(passwordEncoder.encode(account.getPassword()));
    return accountRepository.save(account);
}

public Account save(Account account) {

account.setPassword(passwordEncoder.encode(account.getPassword()));

return accountRepository.save(account);

}

Issue 4: Validation Errors

Symptom: Receiving validation error messages when submitting the password.

Solution:
Ensure that the password meets the defined validation constraints (e.g., between 6 and 20 characters) and that the @Valid annotation is present in the controller method.

Conclusion

Creating a secure and efficient Update Password API is a fundamental aspect of modern web application development. By following this guide, you can implement a robust solution using Spring Boot that ensures user data remains protected while providing a seamless user experience. Remember to adhere to best practices in security, validation, and error handling to maintain the integrity of your application.

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Note: This article is AI generated.

S03L08 – Spring boot Auth Controller, Update password

Creating an Update Password API Using Spring Boot: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction

Why Update Password API Matters

Pros and Cons

When and Where to Use

Setting Up the Project

Prerequisites

Project Structure

Adding Dependencies

Creating the Password DTO

Defining the PasswordDTO Class

Key Concepts and Terminology

Developing the Auth Controller

Implementing the Update Password API

Explanation of the Code

Code Breakdown

Configuring Security Settings

Updating Security Configuration

Key Points

Testing the Update Password API

Using Swagger for Testing

Sample Execution Flow

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue 1: Missing No-Arg Constructor in DTO

Issue 2: Insufficient Scope Error

Issue 3: Password Encoding

Issue 4: Validation Errors

Conclusion