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Updated on 2025-04-07

Spring Security Security SecurityContextHolder component example description

In this blog, we will discuss Spring Security'sSecurityContextHolderComponents, including their implementation, key features, and are illustrated by practical examples.

Understand SecurityContextHolder

SecurityContextHolderIs where Spring Security stores the current security context details. This context includes:

  • Currently certified users
  • User grant permissions
  • Other related safety details

SecurityContextHolderPlays a central role in the authentication and authorization process of Spring Security, enabling developers to access the user's current security context anywhere in the application.

Key Features of SecurityContextHolder

  • Global access: It allows global access to the current authentication details.
  • Thread local storage: By default, it stores authentication details in thread local variables, ensuring the secure context isolates to individual threads.
  • Context communication: It supports the propagation of secure contexts between different threads, which is crucial for asynchronous processing.

How SecurityContextHolder works

SecurityContextHolderuseSecurityContextTo hold a user that represents the currently authenticatedAuthenticationObject.AuthenticationObjects contain:

  • Principal
  • Credentials
  • Granted Authorities

Spring Security will update when the user authentication is successfulSecurityContextHoldercertification details in. Throughout the request lifecycle, the application can passSecurityContextHolderAccess these certification details for security-related decisions.

Policies for storing security contexts

Spring Security provides several policies for storing security contexts:

  • MODE_THREADLOCAL: Default policy, store the context in thread local variables.
  • MODE_INHERITABLETHREADLOCAL: Support child threads to inherit the security context of the parent thread.
  • MODE_GLOBAL: Global context, but rarely used due to potential security risks.

Example of usage

Example 1: Accessing the detailed information of an authenticated user

A common use case is accessing detailed information of an authenticated user, such as a username or role in a controller or service.

Authentication authentication = ().getAuthentication();
String username = ();
Collection<? extends GrantedAuthority> authorities = ();

This code fromSecurityContextHolderGet the current one inAuthenticationobject, thereby accessing the username and permissions of the authenticated user.

Example 2: Manually set up authentication information

In some cases, you may need to set it up manuallySecurityContextHolderIn-houseAuthenticationObjects, such as when testing or programmatic authentication.

Authentication authentication = new UsernamePasswordAuthenticationToken(user, null, ());
().setAuthentication(authentication);

A new one has been created hereAuthenticationand set it toSecurityContextHolder, thereby authenticating the user in the current context.

Example 3: Use authentication information protection method

Stored inSecurityContextHolderThe authentication details in the process can also be used to protect the method, such as restricting the execution of the method based on the user's role.

public void sensitiveAction() {
    Authentication authentication = ().getAuthentication();
    if (().contains(new SimpleGrantedAuthority("ROLE_ADMIN"))) {
        // Perform sensitive operations    } else {
        throw new AccessDeniedException("This operation is only for administrators.");
    }
}

This method checks whether the current authenticated user hasROLE_ADMINPermissions, then decide whether to perform sensitive operations, useSecurityContextHolderPerform role-based access control.

in conclusion

SecurityContextHolderIt is one of the core components of Spring Security and provides an important mechanism for managing the security context of certified users. Its ability to store and access authentication details globally enables developers to build secure, complex applications.

Through understanding and effective useSecurityContextHolderWith its capabilities, you can enhance the security model of your application, ensuring sensitive operations and data are protected according to the principles of authentication and authorization.

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