Frequently Asked Questions
Integrate Infobip's 2FA by setting up API routes in your Next.js application to handle the backend logic for sending and verifying OTPs. Use the Infobip Node.js SDK to interact with the Infobip API and manage the OTP workflow securely. The frontend will communicate with these API routes using fetch requests.
Next.js API routes act as a secure intermediary between the frontend and the Infobip API. They handle requests from the frontend, interact with the Infobip API using your secure credentials, and send responses back to the frontend, ensuring that sensitive information is not exposed directly to the client-side.
Infobip enhances security by adding 2FA, verifying user identity through phone number validation, and helping prevent fraudulent account creation. It utilizes OTPs sent via SMS, adding an extra layer of security beyond traditional passwords.
Implement Infobip OTP/2FA during user registration or login to verify user identity, and for transaction confirmations to enhance security and prevent fraud. This adds an extra layer of protection beyond passwords, safeguarding sensitive actions within your app.
Yes, the Infobip Node.js SDK is compatible with both Next.js Pages Router and App Router. The core logic remains the same, but file paths and routing configuration might slightly differ based on the chosen routing approach.
Create a `.env.local` file in the project root to store your Infobip API key, Base URL, App ID, and Message ID. Next.js loads these into `process.env` server-side, keeping your secrets secure. Never commit `.env.local` to version control.
Configure 2FA in the Infobip portal by first getting your API key and Base URL. Next, create a 2FA application, set up its parameters like maximum attempts, and finally create a message template defining the SMS content with the {{pin}} placeholder.
Implement `try...catch` blocks in your API routes to handle errors during OTP sending and verification. Use a structured logger to record detailed error information server-side and return generic, user-friendly error messages to the client.
Protect API keys with environment variables, implement server-side input validation and rate limiting, consider secure pinId handling methods, use HTTPS, and understand CSRF risks. These measures safeguard against common vulnerabilities.
Test with Infobip's test numbers or sandbox if available, and conduct unit tests for API routes, mocking the Infobip SDK. Implement integration tests for frontend-backend interaction, and consider end-to-end tests for staging or production environments.
Your Infobip Base URL is region-specific and can be located on the homepage of your Infobip portal. It's essential for configuring the Infobip client and ensuring successful API requests.
The `pinId`, returned by Infobip after initiating an OTP send request, is crucial for verifying the user-entered OTP. It identifies a specific OTP transaction.
Ensure you have Node.js, npm/yarn, an active Infobip account, basic understanding of Next.js and React, and a text editor. These prerequisites are essential for setting up and integrating Infobip's 2FA service.
Sending the `pinId` to the client presents a security risk as it exposes this identifier. A more secure approach is to store it server-side and retrieve it based on the user's session during verification, preventing potential misuse.
Developer Guide: Implementing Infobip OTP/2FA in Next.js with Node.js
This guide provides a complete walkthrough for integrating Infobip's Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) service into your Next.js application using API routes for the backend logic. We'll build a secure and reliable One-Time Password (OTP) verification flow suitable for user registration, login verification, or transaction confirmation.
By following this guide, you'll learn how to configure Infobip, create necessary API endpoints in Next.js, handle the OTP sending and verification process, and manage security considerations for a production-ready implementation.
Project Overview and Goals
What We're Building:
We will implement a feature where a user can enter their phone number, receive an OTP via SMS powered by Infobip, and then verify that OTP within the Next.js application. This forms the core of a 2FA or phone verification system.
Problem Solved:
Technologies Involved:
System Architecture:
The flow involves three main components:
Prerequisites:
1. Setting up the Project
Let's initialize a new Next.js project and install the necessary dependency.
1.1 Create Next.js Project:
Open your terminal and run:
1.2 Install Infobip Node.js SDK:
This SDK provides convenient methods for interacting with the Infobip API.
1.3 Environment Variables:
We need to store sensitive Infobip credentials securely. Create a file named
.env.local
in the root of your project. Never commit this file to version control..env.local
? Next.js automatically loads variables from this file intoprocess.env
on the server side (API routes), keeping your secrets out of the frontend bundle and source control.1.4 Project Structure:
Your basic structure (using Pages Router for simplicity in examples, adapt if using App Router):
2. Configuring Infobip 2FA
Before writing code, we need to configure the necessary components within the Infobip platform.
2.1 Obtain API Key and Base URL:
xxxxx.api.infobip.com
). Copy this value intoINFOBIP_BASE_URL
in your.env.local
.API Key Management
. Note: The exact name and location of this section within the Infobip Portal UI might change over time. Look for settings related to API access or developer tools.Create API Key
.Nextjs OTP App
).2FA Send PIN
and2FA Verify PIN
. Check the Infobip documentation for the exact permission names.Submit
. Copy the generated API key immediately, as it won't be shown again. Paste it intoINFOBIP_API_KEY
in your.env.local
.2.2 Create a 2FA Application:
This defines the rules for your OTP flow (e.g., how many attempts are allowed, how long the OTP is valid).
Apps
section (or search for2FA Applications
).Create Application
.My Next.js App Verification
).pinAttempts
: Max number of verification attempts (e.g.,5
).allowMultiplePinVerifications
:true
orfalse
. Usuallyfalse
for security (verify only once).pinTimeToLive
: How long the OTP is valid (e.g.,5m
for 5 minutes).verifyPinLimit
: Rate limit for verification attempts (e.g.,1/3s
- 1 attempt per 3 seconds).sendPinPerApplicationLimit
: Rate limit for sending PINs globally for this app (e.g.,10000/1d
- 10000 per day).sendPinPerPhoneNumberLimit
: Rate limit for sending PINs to a single number (e.g.,5/1d
- 5 per day per number).true
.Submit
.applicationId
). Paste this intoINFOBIP_2FA_APP_ID
in your.env.local
.2.3 Create a 2FA Message Template:
This defines the content of the SMS message sent to the user, including the OTP placeholder.
Message Templates
section.Create Message Template
.NUMERIC
(most common).{{pin}}
placeholder where the OTP should be inserted. Example:Your verification code for My App is {{pin}}. It expires in 5 minutes.
6
). Remember this value for validation.InfoSMS
or configure a custom one if available on your account.en
for English).Submit
.messageId
). Paste this intoINFOBIP_2FA_MESSAGE_ID
in your.env.local
.3. Implementing the API Layer (Next.js API Routes)
Now, let's create the backend endpoints that our frontend will call.
3.1 Initialize Infobip Client:
It's good practice to create a utility function or singleton instance for the Infobip client.
Create
lib/infobip.js
(or.ts
):3.2 API Route: Send OTP (
/api/send-otp
)This route receives a phone number, uses the Infobip SDK to send an OTP, and returns the
pinId
needed for verification.3.3 API Route: Verify OTP (
/api/verify-otp
)This route receives the
pinId
(obtained from the send step) and thepin
entered by the user. It calls Infobip to verify.API Testing (Example using
curl
):Replace placeholders with actual values. Remember to start your Next.js development server (
npm run dev
oryarn dev
).Send OTP:
Expected Response (Success):
{""pinId"":""SOME_PIN_ID_FROM_INFOBIP""}
Expected Response (Error):{ ""message"": ""Specific error message..."" }
(with appropriate status code)Verify OTP (using
pinId
from above and the received SMS code):Expected Response (Success):
{""verified"": true, ""message"": ""OTP verified successfully.""}
Expected Response (Invalid PIN):{""verified"": false, ""message"": ""Invalid or expired OTP.""}
(or more specific error)4. Implementing the Frontend (React/Next.js Page)
Now, let's create a simple UI for users to interact with our OTP flow.
5. Error Handling and Logging
try...catch
blocks.console.log
andconsole.error
with a dedicated, structured logging library (e.g., Pino, Winston) or integrate with a logging service (e.g., Sentry, Logtail, Datadog). This allows for better filtering, searching, and alerting in production. Log detailed error information server-side, including Infobip's response data when available (error.response.data
).429
, invalid credentials401
, etc.) by checkingerror.response.status
anderror.response.data.requestError.serviceException.messageId
.try...catch
aroundfetch
calls. Display clear messages to the user based on API responses. Provide ways to retry (like the ""Resend OTP"" button) or restart the process.async-retry
). Be cautious with retrying OTP sends to avoid spamming users or hitting rate limits quickly. Exponential backoff is generally recommended for retrying external API calls.6. Security Considerations
.env.local
for local development) and never expose your API key in frontend code or commit it to version control. Configure restricted permissions (least privilege principle) and consider IP allowlisting for your Infobip API key in production.verifyPinLimit
,sendPinPerPhoneNumberLimit
,sendPinPerApplicationLimit
) in your Infobip 2FA Application settings to prevent abuse at the source./api/send-otp
and/api/verify-otp
endpoints to protect your own server resources. Libraries likerate-limiter-flexible
orexpress-rate-limit
(adapted for Next.js API routes) can be used. Hosting platforms like Vercel also offer built-in rate limiting features.pinId
presence) on the server-side (API routes). Do not rely solely on frontend validation, as it can be bypassed. Use robust libraries likelibphonenumber-js
for phone numbers.pinId
to the client and back. This is simpler to implement but less secure, as thepinId
is exposed. An attacker who obtains apinId
could potentially attempt to guess the PIN by directly calling your/api/verify-otp
endpoint (though Infobip's rate limits offer protection).pinId
to the client. Instead, store thepinId
server-side immediately after the/api/send-otp
call. Associate it with the user's session (e.g., usingnext-auth
or encrypted cookies) or a temporary secure cache (like Redis) keyed by session ID or phone number, with a TTL matching Infobip'spinTimeToLive
. When the user submits the OTP to/api/verify-otp
, retrieve the correctpinId
from the server-side storage based on their session/context and then call Infobip. This preventspinId
exposure but adds server-side state management complexity.pinAttempts
setting provides primary protection against guessing the OTP. Your API route rate limiting adds another layer of defense against hammering the verification endpoint.7. Testing
send-otp.js
,verify-otp.js
). Mock theinfobip-api-nodejs-sdk
usingjest.mock
or similar techniques to simulate:pinId
).verified: true
).verified: false
).pinId
).fetch
calls in your frontend tests or run against a live development server (potentially mocking the Infobip SDK at the API level).