Is There A Client Side Way To Detect X Frame Options

Are you a developer trying to navigate the world of X-Frame options and wondering if there's a client-side solution to detect them? You're not alone! X-Frame options are important security settings that help prevent clickjacking attacks by controlling whether a webpage can be displayed inside an iframe. In this article, we'll explore some ways you can detect X-Frame options on the client side and ensure your web applications are secure.

One simple and effective method to check for X-Frame options is by using JavaScript. By making a request to the webpage you want to analyze and examining the headers returned, you can determine if X-Frame options are in place. Let's dive into the code to see how this can be done:

fetch('https://www.example.com', {
    method: 'HEAD'
})
.then(response => {
    const xFrameOptions = response.headers.get('X-Frame-Options');
    if (xFrameOptions) {
        console.log('X-Frame-Options header found:', xFrameOptions);
    } else {
        console.log('No X-Frame-Options header detected');
    }
})
.catch(error => {
    console.error('Error:', error.message);
});

In this code snippet, we use the `fetch` API to send a HEAD request to `https://www.example.com` and retrieve the headers of the response. If the 'X-Frame-Options' header is present, we log its value; otherwise, we indicate that no X-Frame options were detected.

Another approach is to check for the 'crossOriginIsolated' attribute in the HTML document. This attribute, when set to true, indicates that the document is being rendered in a cross-origin isolated environment, which implicitly blocks framing. Here's how you can determine if the 'crossOriginIsolated' attribute is present:

if (document.currentScript.crossOriginIsolated) {
    console.log('Cross-origin isolated mode enabled');
} else {
    console.log('Cross-origin isolated mode disabled');
}

By leveraging this attribute, you can ascertain if the document is protected against clickjacking attacks through frame restrictions.

If you're working with modern browsers, you can also utilize the `Permissions-Policy` header to control various browser features, including framing behavior. By examining the `'interest-cohort=()'` directive within the `Permissions-Policy` header, you can verify if the site is opting out of user tracking and potentially altering its framing policies:

const permissionsPolicy = document.featurePolicy.getAllowlist('interest-cohort');
if (permissionsPolicy.includes('()')) {
    console.log('Interest Cohort sharing disabled');
} else {
    console.log('Interest Cohort sharing allowed');
}

By keeping an eye on the `Permissions-Policy` header and its directives, you can enhance the security of your web applications and tailor your framing restrictions accordingly.

As you delve into the world of X-Frame options detection on the client side, remember that security is key. By adopting these client-side techniques, you can better safeguard your web assets and ensure a more secure browsing experience for your users. Happy coding and stay safe!