[Feature]: User Authentication Middleware

[SudiptaPaul-31]

🔍 Problem Statement

📖 Description

Develop backend middleware to handle secure user authentication. This middleware will verify wallet signatures, manage session handling, and protect private routes from unauthorized access.

Expected Behavior

• Wallet Signature Verification:

  • Middleware should cryptographically validate wallet signatures before granting access.
  • Invalid or missing signatures should return 401 Unauthorized.

• Session Handling:

  • Establish and persist sessions using JWTs or similar tokens.
  • Ensure session expiration and refresh logic are properly implemented.
  • Prevent replay attacks by enforcing nonce usage.

• Protect Private Routes:

  • Middleware should guard sensitive endpoints, allowing access only to authenticated users.
  • Unauthorized requests should be blocked with clear error responses.

🛠 Technical Notes

• Integrate with existing wallet SDK for signature validation.
• Use secure JWT issuance practices (short expiry, refresh tokens if needed).
• Ensure middleware is reusable across multiple routes.
• Maintain compatibility with current authentication flows and wallet connection UI.
• Follow best practices for error handling and logging.

✅ Acceptance Criteria

• Valid wallet signatures allow access to protected routes.
• Invalid signatures or expired sessions are rejected with proper error codes.
• Session state persists securely across requests.
• Private routes are inaccessible without authentication.
• npm run lint and npm run build succeed.
• No regression in wallet connection, chat, or dashboard features.

📈 Expected Impact

High — Would significantly improve user experience

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[Dayz-tech-co]

@Dayz-tech-co has applied to work on this issue as part of the Stellar Wave Program's 2nd wave.

Hi 👋

I’d love to take on #31 – User Authentication Middleware. I have strong experience building secure authentication layers with JWT, signature verification, and route protection in Node/Express and modern backend stacks.

I’ll implement cryptographic wallet signature validation with nonce protection to prevent replay attacks, establish secure JWT-based session handling (with proper expiry and optional refresh flow), and create reusable middleware to guard private routes. I’ll also ensure clean error handling, secure token practices, and full compatibility with the existing wallet connection flow.

All changes will follow best security practices, pass lint/build checks, and avoid regressions in chat or dashboard features.

ℹ️ Repo Maintainers: To accept this application, review their application or assign @Dayz-tech-co to this issue.

[Chucks1093]

@Chucks1093 has applied to work on this issue as part of the Stellar Wave Program's 2nd wave.

Please I would like to work on this issue. Thank you

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[Amas-01]

@Amas-01 has applied to work on this issue as part of the Stellar Wave Program's 2nd wave.

Hi maintainer, I’ll appreciate you letting me take up this task as I’m a full-stack developer with a good track record.

ℹ️ Repo Maintainers: To accept this application, review their application or assign @Amas-01 to this issue.

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Congratulations, @Dayz-tech-co! 🎉 Your application was accepted by the repo's maintainers, and the issue is due on February 26, 2026.

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