Fetch metadata request header
A fetch metadata request header is an HTTP request header that provides additional information about the context from which the request originated. This allows the server to make decisions about whether a request should be allowed based on where the request came from and how the resource will be used.
With this information a server can implement a resource isolation policy, allowing external sites to request only those resources that are intended for sharing, and that are used appropriately. This approach can help mitigate common cross-site web vulnerabilities such as CSRF, Cross-site Script Inclusion('XSSI'), timing attacks, and cross-origin information leaks.
These headers are prefixed with Sec-
, and hence have forbidden header names. As such, they cannot be modified from JavaScript.
The fetch metadata request headers are:
The following request headers are not strictly "fetch metadata request headers", as they are not in the same specification, but similarly provide information about the context of how a resource will be used. A server might use them to modify its caching behavior, or the information that is returned:
See also
- Protect your resources from web attacks with Fetch Metadata (web.dev)
- Fetch Metadata Request Headers playground (secmetadata.appspot.com)
- List of all HTTP headers
- List of all HTTP headers > Fetch metadata request headers
- Related glossary terms: