Protect TYPO3 & Solr from DDOS attacks

Preventive measures for greater security

In recent weeks, as a TYPO3 agency, we have observed a worrying increase in DDOS attacks on TYPO3 websites with connected Solr search. These attacks can not only lead to downtime, but also consume considerable resources and severely impair the performance of your TYPO3 website.

Identifying DDOS risks in TYPO3 Solr

DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks aim to crash servers by overloading them with requests. In TYPO3 installations with Solr integration, search functions are particularly affected, as they often generate resource-intensive queries.

The combination of TYPO3 and Solr offers attackers several attack vectors:

• Overloading the Solr servers with massive search queries
• Exhausting TYPO3 resources with complex queries
• Exploiting unprotected endpoints

Optimise web server configuration

Depending on whether you run your TYPO3/Solr installation on nginx, Apache or another system, the recommended protective measures and the type of implementation may differ. To find the optimal solution for you, our Team of Solr experts is always available to advise you and support you with implementation.

Solr-specific security measures

Your Solr installation is secured on three levels:

Access restriction:
Solr endpoints should never be directly accessible from the internet.

Query limits:
Implementation of limits for search parameters and result sets.

Caching strategies:
Aggressive caching of frequent search queries reduces server load.

TYPO3-specific optimisations

At the TYPO3 level, these configurations enhance protection:

RealURL/Route Enhancer:
Clean URL structures make automated attacks more difficult

Extension configuration:
Proper configuration of the ext:solr extension with appropriate timeouts

Monitoring:
Implementation of monitoring tools for early detection

Recommended actions for operators

Immediate measures

Start by thoroughly reviewing your current web server configuration to identify potential vulnerabilities. Then implement rate limiting for all search functions to limit the number of requests per unit of time. Also set up comprehensive monitoring of Solr server performance so that you can detect anomalies at an early stage.

Medium-term strategies

For enhanced protection, you should implement a web application firewall (WAF) that filters malicious requests before they reach your servers. Additionally, use CDN services with integrated DDOS protection to distribute the load and ward off attacks. Establish regular security audits of your TYPO3/Solr installation to identify and close new vulnerabilities in a timely manner.

Long-term security strategy

Build redundant infrastructures that ensure the availability of your services even in the event of partial failures. Implement automated incident response processes that can initiate immediate countermeasures when attacks are detected. Invest in the long-term training of your technical team in security best practices to strengthen security awareness and improve responsiveness.

When is professional help advisable?

Implementing effective DDOS protection measures requires in-depth knowledge of both the TYPO3/Solr architecture and modern security technologies. In more complex environments or in the event of attacks that have already occurred, it is advisable to work with specialised security experts.

Proactive protection is crucial

DDOS attacks on TYPO3/Solr installations are on the rise, but with the right preventive measures, most attacks can be successfully repelled. The key lies in a multi-layered security strategy that takes effect at both the web server and application levels.

Important: Don't wait until your TYPO3 website is attacked. Preventive measures are significantly less expensive than repairing the damage after a successful attack.

Do you need assistance implementing these protective measures? Our team of experts is happy to help.

Arrange a free security consultation!