X-Ray Panel Security: Addressing HTTP Access Vulnerabilities and Implementing HTTPS

Recent discussions surrounding the X-Ray web panel have highlighted critical security vulnerabilities related to HTTP access. This article delves into the controversy, providing a comprehensive overview of the issue and offering practical solutions for developers and tech enthusiasts to secure their X-Ray panels using HTTPS.

The X-Ray Security Debate: A Recap

The debate originated from concerns regarding the use of unencrypted HTTP connections to access X-Ray web panels. An X-Ray author, RPRX, proposed a controversial PR that enforced mandatory encrypted access via HTTPS, threatening to remove panels using HTTP from the official X-Ray recommended list. This sparked a month-long discussion within the community.

The core argument revolves around the risk of exposing sensitive data, such as node information, passwords, and private keys, when using HTTP. While some users argue that the risk is minimal, given that users accessing the panel are likely already behind a VPN or proxy, others emphasize the importance of proactive security measures.

Computer screen displaying lines of code with a padlock icon superimposed.

Understanding the HTTP Vulnerability

The primary concern with HTTP access is its lack of encryption. When a user accesses an X-Ray panel via HTTP, all data transmitted between the user’s browser and the server is sent in plain text. This makes it vulnerable to interception by malicious actors, including man-in-the-middle attacks and surveillance by entities like the Great Firewall (GFW).

X-Ray author’s security advisory highlighted the dangers of configuring panels via HTTP, noting that it allows intermediaries to potentially view node information. This is a significant risk that needs to be addressed.

Solution 1: SSH Tunneling for Encrypted Access

One method to mitigate the risks of HTTP access is to utilize SSH tunneling. This creates an encrypted tunnel between the user’s local machine and the X-Ray panel server, ensuring that all data transmitted is protected.

Steps to establish an SSH tunnel:

Execute the following command in your local terminal (replace placeholders with your actual values):
ssh -L [local_port]:localhost:[panel_port] [username]@[vps_ip] -p [ssh_port]
Example: ssh -L 20000:localhost:20000 [email protected] -p 22
Access the X-Ray panel via localhost:[local_port] in your browser.

This method ensures that all traffic to the X-Ray panel is encrypted via SSH, preventing eavesdropping. Adding -N to the command prevents the shell from loading.

Close-up of hands typing on a laptop keyboard, with a command-line interface visible on the screen.

Solution 2: Implementing HTTPS with a Free IP Certificate

A more permanent solution is to configure the X-Ray panel to use HTTPS. While this typically requires a domain name and an SSL certificate, free IP certificates are available for scenarios where a domain is not feasible.

Steps to implement HTTPS with a free IP certificate:

Obtain a free IP certificate from a provider like SSLforFree.
Create a new certificate and enter the VPS IP address.
Download the verification file and upload it to the /.well-known/pki-validation/ directory on the VPS.
Create a temporary HTTP server using: python3 -m http.server 80 (ensure port 80 is not in use).
Verify the domain and download the certificate.
Upload the certificate and private key to the VPS.
Configure the X-Ray panel to use the certificate by specifying the paths to the private.key and certificate.crt files.
Restart the X-Ray panel.

After configuring HTTPS, accessing the panel via https://[vps_ip] will provide an encrypted connection. Browsers might display a security warning that can be bypassed.

Enhancing Security Further: Adding a Custom Path

To prevent automated scanning and unauthorized access, consider adding a custom path to the X-Ray panel URL. This acts as an additional layer of security.

Steps to add a custom path:

In the X-Ray panel settings, specify a custom path (e.g., /randomstring).
Save the changes and restart the panel.
Access the panel using https://[vps_ip]/randomstring.

This makes it significantly harder for attackers to discover the panel’s login page.

A network diagram illustrating encrypted data flow between a user's computer and a remote server, secured by HTTPS.

Conclusion

The X-Ray security debate underscores the importance of proactive security measures. By implementing HTTPS and utilizing additional security layers such as SSH tunneling and custom paths, users can significantly enhance the security of their X-Ray web panels. While IP certificates require renewal, the added security is well worth the effort.