v0.7.7 - Prevent sql attacks and rate limiting on subscriptions

build_static.sh

@@ -95,16 +95,43 @@ else
     echo "Installing additional static libraries..."
     sudo apt install -y libcap-dev libuv1-dev libev-dev
     
+    # Build SQLite with JSON1 extension if not available
+    echo "Building SQLite with JSON1 extension..."
+    SQLITE_BUILD_DIR="/tmp/sqlite-build-$$"
+    mkdir -p "$SQLITE_BUILD_DIR"
+    cd "$SQLITE_BUILD_DIR"
+    
+    wget https://www.sqlite.org/2024/sqlite-autoconf-3460000.tar.gz
+    tar xzf sqlite-autoconf-3460000.tar.gz
+    cd sqlite-autoconf-3460000
+    
+    ./configure \
+        --enable-static \
+        --disable-shared \
+        --enable-json1 \
+        --enable-fts5 \
+        --prefix="$SQLITE_BUILD_DIR/install" \
+        CFLAGS="-DSQLITE_ENABLE_JSON1=1 -DSQLITE_ENABLE_FTS5=1"
+    
+    make && make install
+    
+    # Return to project directory
+    cd "$SCRIPT_DIR"
+    
     # Try building with regular gcc and static linking
     echo "Compiling with gcc -static..."
     
     # Use the same approach as the regular Makefile but with static linking
     gcc -static -O2 -Wall -Wextra -std=c99 -g \
         -I. -Inostr_core_lib -Inostr_core_lib/nostr_core -Inostr_core_lib/cjson -Inostr_core_lib/nostr_websocket \
+        -I"$SQLITE_BUILD_DIR/install/include" \
         src/main.c src/config.c src/dm_admin.c src/request_validator.c src/nip009.c src/nip011.c src/nip013.c src/nip040.c src/nip042.c src/websockets.c src/subscriptions.c src/api.c src/embedded_web_content.c \
         -o "$BUILD_DIR/c_relay_static_x86_64" \
         nostr_core_lib/libnostr_core_x64.a \
-        -lsqlite3 -lwebsockets -lz -ldl -lpthread -lm -L/usr/local/lib -lsecp256k1 -lssl -lcrypto -L/usr/local/lib -lcurl -lcap -luv_a -lev
+        "$SQLITE_BUILD_DIR/install/lib/libsqlite3.a" -lwebsockets -lz -ldl -lpthread -lm -L/usr/local/lib -lsecp256k1 -lssl -lcrypto -L/usr/local/lib -lcurl -lcap -luv_a -lev
+    
+    # Clean up SQLite build directory
+    rm -rf "$SQLITE_BUILD_DIR"
     
     if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
         echo "x86_64 static binary created: $BUILD_DIR/c_relay_static_x86_64"

deploy_static.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# C-Relay Static Binary Deployment Script
+# Deploys build/c_relay_static_x86_64 to server via sshlt
+
+set -e
+
+# Configuration
+LOCAL_BINARY="build/c_relay_static_x86_64"
+REMOTE_BINARY_PATH="/usr/local/bin/c_relay/c_relay"
+SERVICE_NAME="c-relay"
+
+# Create backup
+ssh ubuntu@laantungir.com "sudo cp '$REMOTE_BINARY_PATH' '${REMOTE_BINARY_PATH}.backup.$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)'" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+# Upload binary to temp location
+scp "$LOCAL_BINARY" "ubuntu@laantungir.com:/tmp/c_relay.tmp"
+
+# Install binary
+ssh ubuntu@laantungir.com "sudo mv '/tmp/c_relay.tmp' '$REMOTE_BINARY_PATH'"
+ssh ubuntu@laantungir.com "sudo chown c-relay:c-relay '$REMOTE_BINARY_PATH'"
+ssh ubuntu@laantungir.com "sudo chmod +x '$REMOTE_BINARY_PATH'"
+
+# Restart service
+ssh ubuntu@laantungir.com "sudo systemctl restart '$SERVICE_NAME'"
+
+echo "Deployment complete!"

examples/deployment/static-builder.Dockerfile

@@ -69,6 +69,20 @@ RUN cd /tmp && \
     ./Configure linux-x86_64 no-shared --prefix=/usr && \
     make && make install_sw
 
+# Build SQLite with JSON1 extension enabled
+RUN cd /tmp && \
+    wget https://www.sqlite.org/2024/sqlite-autoconf-3460000.tar.gz && \
+    tar xzf sqlite-autoconf-3460000.tar.gz && \
+    cd sqlite-autoconf-3460000 && \
+    ./configure \
+        --enable-static \
+        --disable-shared \
+        --enable-json1 \
+        --enable-fts5 \
+        --prefix=/usr \
+        CFLAGS="-DSQLITE_ENABLE_JSON1=1 -DSQLITE_ENABLE_FTS5=1" && \
+    make && make install
+
 # Build libsecp256k1 static
 RUN cd /tmp && \
     git clone https://github.com/bitcoin-core/secp256k1.git && \

make_and_restart_relay.sh

@@ -163,9 +163,15 @@ rm -f db/c_nostr_relay.db* 2>/dev/null
 echo "Embedding web files..."
 ./embed_web_files.sh
 
-# Build the project first
+# Build the project first - use static build by default
-echo "Building project..."
+echo "Building project (static binary with SQLite JSON1 extension)..."
-make clean all
+./build_static.sh
+
+# Fallback to regular build if static build fails
+if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+    echo "Static build failed, falling back to regular build..."
+    make clean all
+fi
 
 # Restore database files if preserving
 if [ "$PRESERVE_DATABASE" = true ] && [ -d "/tmp/relay_backup_$$" ]; then
@@ -181,22 +187,34 @@ if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
     exit 1
 fi
 
-# Check if relay binary exists after build - detect architecture
+# Check if relay binary exists after build - prefer static binary, fallback to regular
 ARCH=$(uname -m)
 case "$ARCH" in
     x86_64)
-        BINARY_PATH="./build/c_relay_x86"
+        STATIC_BINARY="./build/c_relay_static_x86_64"
+        REGULAR_BINARY="./build/c_relay_x86"
         ;;
     aarch64|arm64)
-        BINARY_PATH="./build/c_relay_arm64"
+        STATIC_BINARY="./build/c_relay_static_arm64"
+        REGULAR_BINARY="./build/c_relay_arm64"
         ;;
     *)
-        BINARY_PATH="./build/c_relay_$ARCH"
+        STATIC_BINARY="./build/c_relay_static_$ARCH"
+        REGULAR_BINARY="./build/c_relay_$ARCH"
         ;;
 esac
 
-if [ ! -f "$BINARY_PATH" ]; then
+# Prefer static binary if available
-    echo "ERROR: Relay binary not found at $BINARY_PATH after build. Build may have failed."
+if [ -f "$STATIC_BINARY" ]; then
+    BINARY_PATH="$STATIC_BINARY"
+    echo "Using static binary: $BINARY_PATH"
+elif [ -f "$REGULAR_BINARY" ]; then
+    BINARY_PATH="$REGULAR_BINARY"
+    echo "Using regular binary: $BINARY_PATH"
+else
+    echo "ERROR: No relay binary found. Checked:"
+    echo "  - $STATIC_BINARY"
+    echo "  - $REGULAR_BINARY"
     exit 1
 fi
 

relay.pid

@@ -1 +1 @@
-2442403
+2875464

src/main.c

@@ -126,6 +126,22 @@ int process_admin_event_in_config(cJSON* event, char* error_message, size_t erro
 // Forward declaration for NIP-45 COUNT message handling
 int handle_count_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, struct per_session_data *pss);
 
+// Parameter binding helpers for SQL queries
+static void add_bind_param(char*** params, int* count, int* capacity, const char* value) {
+    if (*count >= *capacity) {
+        *capacity = *capacity == 0 ? 16 : *capacity * 2;
+        *params = realloc(*params, *capacity * sizeof(char*));
+    }
+    (*params)[(*count)++] = strdup(value);
+}
+
+static void free_bind_params(char** params, int count) {
+    for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+        free(params[i]);
+    }
+    free(params);
+}
+
 // Forward declaration for enhanced admin event authorization
 int is_authorized_admin_event(cJSON* event, char* error_message, size_t error_size);
 
@@ -726,7 +742,95 @@ int handle_req_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, stru
         log_error("REQ filters is not an array");
         return 0;
     }
-    
+
+    // EARLY SUBSCRIPTION LIMIT CHECK - Check limits BEFORE any processing
+    if (pss) {
+        time_t current_time = time(NULL);
+
+        // Check if client is currently rate limited due to excessive failed attempts
+        if (pss->rate_limit_until > current_time) {
+            char rate_limit_msg[256];
+            int remaining_seconds = (int)(pss->rate_limit_until - current_time);
+            snprintf(rate_limit_msg, sizeof(rate_limit_msg),
+                    "Rate limited due to excessive failed subscription attempts. Try again in %d seconds.", remaining_seconds);
+
+            // Send CLOSED notice for rate limiting
+            cJSON* closed_msg = cJSON_CreateArray();
+            cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString("CLOSED"));
+            cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString(sub_id));
+            cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString("error: rate limited"));
+            cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString(rate_limit_msg));
+
+            char* closed_str = cJSON_Print(closed_msg);
+            if (closed_str) {
+                size_t closed_len = strlen(closed_str);
+                unsigned char* buf = malloc(LWS_PRE + closed_len);
+                if (buf) {
+                    memcpy(buf + LWS_PRE, closed_str, closed_len);
+                    lws_write(wsi, buf + LWS_PRE, closed_len, LWS_WRITE_TEXT);
+                    free(buf);
+                }
+                free(closed_str);
+            }
+            cJSON_Delete(closed_msg);
+
+            // Update rate limiting counters
+            pss->failed_subscription_attempts++;
+            pss->last_failed_attempt = current_time;
+
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        // Check session subscription limits
+        if (pss->subscription_count >= g_subscription_manager.max_subscriptions_per_client) {
+            log_error("Maximum subscriptions per client exceeded");
+
+            // Update rate limiting counters for failed attempt
+            pss->failed_subscription_attempts++;
+            pss->last_failed_attempt = current_time;
+            pss->consecutive_failures++;
+
+            // Implement progressive backoff: 1s, 5s, 30s, 300s (5min) based on consecutive failures
+            int backoff_seconds = 1;
+            if (pss->consecutive_failures >= 10) backoff_seconds = 300;  // 5 minutes
+            else if (pss->consecutive_failures >= 5) backoff_seconds = 30;   // 30 seconds
+            else if (pss->consecutive_failures >= 3) backoff_seconds = 5;    // 5 seconds
+
+            pss->rate_limit_until = current_time + backoff_seconds;
+
+            // Send CLOSED notice with backoff information
+            cJSON* closed_msg = cJSON_CreateArray();
+            cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString("CLOSED"));
+            cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString(sub_id));
+            cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString("error: too many subscriptions"));
+
+            char backoff_msg[256];
+            snprintf(backoff_msg, sizeof(backoff_msg),
+                    "Maximum subscriptions per client exceeded. Backoff for %d seconds.", backoff_seconds);
+            cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString(backoff_msg));
+
+            char* closed_str = cJSON_Print(closed_msg);
+            if (closed_str) {
+                size_t closed_len = strlen(closed_str);
+                unsigned char* buf = malloc(LWS_PRE + closed_len);
+                if (buf) {
+                    memcpy(buf + LWS_PRE, closed_str, closed_len);
+                    lws_write(wsi, buf + LWS_PRE, closed_len, LWS_WRITE_TEXT);
+                    free(buf);
+                }
+                free(closed_str);
+            }
+            cJSON_Delete(closed_msg);
+
+            return 0;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Parameter binding helpers
+    char** bind_params = NULL;
+    int bind_param_count = 0;
+    int bind_param_capacity = 0;
+
     // Check for kind 33334 configuration event requests BEFORE creating subscription
     int config_events_sent = 0;
     int has_config_request = 0;
@@ -770,32 +874,6 @@ int handle_req_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, stru
     // If only config events were requested, we can return early after sending EOSE
     // But still create the subscription for future config updates
     
-    // Check session subscription limits
-    if (pss && pss->subscription_count >= g_subscription_manager.max_subscriptions_per_client) {
-        log_error("Maximum subscriptions per client exceeded");
-        
-        // Send CLOSED notice
-        cJSON* closed_msg = cJSON_CreateArray();
-        cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString("CLOSED"));
-        cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString(sub_id));
-        cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString("error: too many subscriptions"));
-        
-        char* closed_str = cJSON_Print(closed_msg);
-        if (closed_str) {
-            size_t closed_len = strlen(closed_str);
-            unsigned char* buf = malloc(LWS_PRE + closed_len);
-            if (buf) {
-                memcpy(buf + LWS_PRE, closed_str, closed_len);
-                lws_write(wsi, buf + LWS_PRE, closed_len, LWS_WRITE_TEXT);
-                free(buf);
-            }
-            free(closed_str);
-        }
-        cJSON_Delete(closed_msg);
-        
-        return has_config_request ? config_events_sent : 0;
-    }
-    
     // Create persistent subscription
     subscription_t* subscription = create_subscription(sub_id, wsi, filters, pss ? pss->client_ip : "unknown");
     if (!subscription) {
@@ -807,13 +885,13 @@ int handle_req_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, stru
     if (add_subscription_to_manager(subscription) != 0) {
         log_error("Failed to add subscription to global manager");
         free_subscription(subscription);
-        
+
         // Send CLOSED notice
         cJSON* closed_msg = cJSON_CreateArray();
         cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString("CLOSED"));
         cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString(sub_id));
         cJSON_AddItemToArray(closed_msg, cJSON_CreateString("error: subscription limit reached"));
-        
+
         char* closed_str = cJSON_Print(closed_msg);
         if (closed_str) {
             size_t closed_len = strlen(closed_str);
@@ -826,7 +904,15 @@ int handle_req_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, stru
             free(closed_str);
         }
         cJSON_Delete(closed_msg);
-        
+
+        // Update rate limiting counters for failed attempt (global limit reached)
+        if (pss) {
+            time_t current_time = time(NULL);
+            pss->failed_subscription_attempts++;
+            pss->last_failed_attempt = current_time;
+            pss->consecutive_failures++;
+        }
+
         return has_config_request ? config_events_sent : 0;
     }
     
@@ -848,7 +934,13 @@ int handle_req_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, stru
             log_warning("Invalid filter object");
             continue;
         }
-        
+
+        // Reset bind params for this filter
+        free_bind_params(bind_params, bind_param_count);
+        bind_params = NULL;
+        bind_param_count = 0;
+        bind_param_capacity = 0;
+
         // Build SQL query based on filter - exclude ephemeral events (kinds 20000-29999) from historical queries
         char sql[1024] = "SELECT id, pubkey, created_at, kind, content, sig, tags FROM events WHERE 1=1 AND (kind < 20000 OR kind >= 30000)";
         char* sql_ptr = sql + strlen(sql);
@@ -888,56 +980,80 @@ int handle_req_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, stru
         // Handle authors filter
         cJSON* authors = cJSON_GetObjectItem(filter, "authors");
         if (authors && cJSON_IsArray(authors)) {
-            int author_count = cJSON_GetArraySize(authors);
+            int author_count = 0;
+            // Count valid authors
+            for (int a = 0; a < cJSON_GetArraySize(authors); a++) {
+                cJSON* author = cJSON_GetArrayItem(authors, a);
+                if (cJSON_IsString(author)) {
+                    author_count++;
+                }
+            }
             if (author_count > 0) {
                 snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, " AND pubkey IN (");
                 sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                 remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
 
                 for (int a = 0; a < author_count; a++) {
-                    cJSON* author = cJSON_GetArrayItem(authors, a);
+                    if (a > 0) {
-                    if (cJSON_IsString(author)) {
+                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
-                        if (a > 0) {
+                        sql_ptr++;
-                            snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
+                        remaining--;
-                            sql_ptr++;
-                            remaining--;
-                        }
-                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "'%s'", cJSON_GetStringValue(author));
-                        sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
-                        remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                     }
+                    snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "?");
+                    sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
+                    remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                 }
                 snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ")");
                 sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                 remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
+
+                // Add author values to bind params
+                for (int a = 0; a < cJSON_GetArraySize(authors); a++) {
+                    cJSON* author = cJSON_GetArrayItem(authors, a);
+                    if (cJSON_IsString(author)) {
+                        add_bind_param(&bind_params, &bind_param_count, &bind_param_capacity, cJSON_GetStringValue(author));
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
 
         // Handle ids filter
         cJSON* ids = cJSON_GetObjectItem(filter, "ids");
         if (ids && cJSON_IsArray(ids)) {
-            int id_count = cJSON_GetArraySize(ids);
+            int id_count = 0;
+            // Count valid ids
+            for (int i = 0; i < cJSON_GetArraySize(ids); i++) {
+                cJSON* id = cJSON_GetArrayItem(ids, i);
+                if (cJSON_IsString(id)) {
+                    id_count++;
+                }
+            }
             if (id_count > 0) {
                 snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, " AND id IN (");
                 sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                 remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
 
                 for (int i = 0; i < id_count; i++) {
-                    cJSON* id = cJSON_GetArrayItem(ids, i);
+                    if (i > 0) {
-                    if (cJSON_IsString(id)) {
+                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
-                        if (i > 0) {
+                        sql_ptr++;
-                            snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
+                        remaining--;
-                            sql_ptr++;
-                            remaining--;
-                        }
-                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "'%s'", cJSON_GetStringValue(id));
-                        sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
-                        remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                     }
+                    snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "?");
+                    sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
+                    remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                 }
                 snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ")");
                 sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                 remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
+
+                // Add id values to bind params
+                for (int i = 0; i < cJSON_GetArraySize(ids); i++) {
+                    cJSON* id = cJSON_GetArrayItem(ids, i);
+                    if (cJSON_IsString(id)) {
+                        add_bind_param(&bind_params, &bind_param_count, &bind_param_capacity, cJSON_GetStringValue(id));
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
 
@@ -950,29 +1066,42 @@ int handle_req_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, stru
                 const char* tag_name = filter_key + 1; // Get the tag name (e, p, t, type, etc.)
 
                 if (cJSON_IsArray(filter_item)) {
-                    int tag_value_count = cJSON_GetArraySize(filter_item);
+                    int tag_value_count = 0;
+                    // Count valid tag values
+                    for (int i = 0; i < cJSON_GetArraySize(filter_item); i++) {
+                        cJSON* tag_value = cJSON_GetArrayItem(filter_item, i);
+                        if (cJSON_IsString(tag_value)) {
+                            tag_value_count++;
+                        }
+                    }
                     if (tag_value_count > 0) {
-                        // Use EXISTS with LIKE to check for matching tags
+                        // Use EXISTS with parameterized query
-                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, " AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM json_each(json(tags)) WHERE json_extract(value, '$[0]') = '%s' AND json_extract(value, '$[1]') IN (", tag_name);
+                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, " AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM json_each(json(tags)) WHERE json_extract(value, '$[0]') = ? AND json_extract(value, '$[1]') IN (");
                         sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                         remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
 
                         for (int i = 0; i < tag_value_count; i++) {
-                            cJSON* tag_value = cJSON_GetArrayItem(filter_item, i);
+                            if (i > 0) {
-                            if (cJSON_IsString(tag_value)) {
+                                snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
-                                if (i > 0) {
+                                sql_ptr++;
-                                    snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
+                                remaining--;
-                                    sql_ptr++;
-                                    remaining--;
-                                }
-                                snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "'%s'", cJSON_GetStringValue(tag_value));
-                                sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
-                                remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                             }
+                            snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "?");
+                            sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
+                            remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                         }
                         snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "))");
                         sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                         remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
+
+                        // Add tag name and values to bind params
+                        add_bind_param(&bind_params, &bind_param_count, &bind_param_capacity, tag_name);
+                        for (int i = 0; i < cJSON_GetArraySize(filter_item); i++) {
+                            cJSON* tag_value = cJSON_GetArrayItem(filter_item, i);
+                            if (cJSON_IsString(tag_value)) {
+                                add_bind_param(&bind_params, &bind_param_count, &bind_param_capacity, cJSON_GetStringValue(tag_value));
+                            }
+                        }
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -1048,6 +1177,11 @@ int handle_req_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, stru
             log_error(error_msg);
             continue;
         }
+
+        // Bind parameters
+        for (int i = 0; i < bind_param_count; i++) {
+            sqlite3_bind_text(stmt, i + 1, bind_params[i], -1, SQLITE_TRANSIENT);
+        }
         
         int row_count = 0;
         while (sqlite3_step(stmt) == SQLITE_ROW) {
@@ -1112,7 +1246,10 @@ int handle_req_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, stru
 
         sqlite3_finalize(stmt);
     }
-    
+
+    // Cleanup bind params
+    free_bind_params(bind_params, bind_param_count);
+
     return events_sent;
 }
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -1614,9 +1751,27 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
     
     // Initialize NIP-40 expiration configuration
     init_expiration_config();
-    
     // Update subscription manager configuration
     update_subscription_manager_config();
+
+    // Initialize subscription manager mutexes
+    if (pthread_mutex_init(&g_subscription_manager.subscriptions_lock, NULL) != 0) {
+        log_error("Failed to initialize subscription manager subscriptions lock");
+        cleanup_configuration_system();
+        nostr_cleanup();
+        close_database();
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    if (pthread_mutex_init(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock, NULL) != 0) {
+        log_error("Failed to initialize subscription manager IP tracking lock");
+        pthread_mutex_destroy(&g_subscription_manager.subscriptions_lock);
+        cleanup_configuration_system();
+        nostr_cleanup();
+        close_database();
+        return 1;
+    }
+
     
     
     // Start WebSocket Nostr relay server (port from configuration)
@@ -1626,6 +1781,11 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
     cleanup_relay_info();
     ginxsom_request_validator_cleanup();
     cleanup_configuration_system();
+
+    // Cleanup subscription manager mutexes
+    pthread_mutex_destroy(&g_subscription_manager.subscriptions_lock);
+    pthread_mutex_destroy(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+
     nostr_cleanup();
     close_database();
     

src/subscriptions.c

@@ -472,52 +472,102 @@ int broadcast_event_to_subscriptions(cJSON* event) {
     }
     
     int broadcasts = 0;
+    
+    // Create a temporary list of matching subscriptions to avoid holding lock during I/O
+    typedef struct temp_sub {
+        struct lws* wsi;
+        char id[SUBSCRIPTION_ID_MAX_LENGTH];
+        char client_ip[CLIENT_IP_MAX_LENGTH];
+        struct temp_sub* next;
+    } temp_sub_t;
+    
+    temp_sub_t* matching_subs = NULL;
+    int matching_count = 0;
 
+    // First pass: collect matching subscriptions while holding lock
     pthread_mutex_lock(&g_subscription_manager.subscriptions_lock);
 
     subscription_t* sub = g_subscription_manager.active_subscriptions;
     while (sub) {
-        if (sub->active && event_matches_subscription(event, sub)) {
+        if (sub->active && sub->wsi && event_matches_subscription(event, sub)) {
-            // Create EVENT message for this subscription
+            temp_sub_t* temp = malloc(sizeof(temp_sub_t));
-            cJSON* event_msg = cJSON_CreateArray();
+            if (temp) {
-            cJSON_AddItemToArray(event_msg, cJSON_CreateString("EVENT"));
+                temp->wsi = sub->wsi;
-            cJSON_AddItemToArray(event_msg, cJSON_CreateString(sub->id));
+                strncpy(temp->id, sub->id, SUBSCRIPTION_ID_MAX_LENGTH - 1);
-            cJSON_AddItemToArray(event_msg, cJSON_Duplicate(event, 1));
+                temp->id[SUBSCRIPTION_ID_MAX_LENGTH - 1] = '\0';
-            
+                strncpy(temp->client_ip, sub->client_ip, CLIENT_IP_MAX_LENGTH - 1);
-            char* msg_str = cJSON_Print(event_msg);
+                temp->client_ip[CLIENT_IP_MAX_LENGTH - 1] = '\0';
-            if (msg_str) {
+                temp->next = matching_subs;
-                size_t msg_len = strlen(msg_str);
+                matching_subs = temp;
-                unsigned char* buf = malloc(LWS_PRE + msg_len);
+                matching_count++;
-                if (buf) {
-                    memcpy(buf + LWS_PRE, msg_str, msg_len);
-                    
-                    // Send to WebSocket connection
-                    int write_result = lws_write(sub->wsi, buf + LWS_PRE, msg_len, LWS_WRITE_TEXT);
-                    if (write_result >= 0) {
-                        sub->events_sent++;
-                        broadcasts++;
-                        
-                        // Log event broadcast to database (optional - can be disabled for performance)
-                        cJSON* event_id_obj = cJSON_GetObjectItem(event, "id");
-                        if (event_id_obj && cJSON_IsString(event_id_obj)) {
-                            log_event_broadcast(cJSON_GetStringValue(event_id_obj), sub->id, sub->client_ip);
-                        }
-                    }
-                    
-                    free(buf);
-                }
-                free(msg_str);
             }
-            
+        }
-            cJSON_Delete(event_msg);
+        sub = sub->next;
+    }
+
+    pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.subscriptions_lock);
+
+    // Second pass: send messages without holding lock
+    temp_sub_t* current_temp = matching_subs;
+    while (current_temp) {
+        // Create EVENT message for this subscription
+        cJSON* event_msg = cJSON_CreateArray();
+        cJSON_AddItemToArray(event_msg, cJSON_CreateString("EVENT"));
+        cJSON_AddItemToArray(event_msg, cJSON_CreateString(current_temp->id));
+        cJSON_AddItemToArray(event_msg, cJSON_Duplicate(event, 1));
+        
+        char* msg_str = cJSON_Print(event_msg);
+        if (msg_str) {
+            size_t msg_len = strlen(msg_str);
+            unsigned char* buf = malloc(LWS_PRE + msg_len);
+            if (buf) {
+                memcpy(buf + LWS_PRE, msg_str, msg_len);
+                
+                // Send to WebSocket connection with error checking
+                // Note: lws_write can fail if connection is closed, but won't crash
+                int write_result = lws_write(current_temp->wsi, buf + LWS_PRE, msg_len, LWS_WRITE_TEXT);
+                if (write_result >= 0) {
+                    broadcasts++;
+                    
+                    // Update events sent counter for this subscription
+                    pthread_mutex_lock(&g_subscription_manager.subscriptions_lock);
+                    subscription_t* update_sub = g_subscription_manager.active_subscriptions;
+                    while (update_sub) {
+                        if (update_sub->wsi == current_temp->wsi &&
+                            strcmp(update_sub->id, current_temp->id) == 0) {
+                            update_sub->events_sent++;
+                            break;
+                        }
+                        update_sub = update_sub->next;
+                    }
+                    pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.subscriptions_lock);
+                    
+                    // Log event broadcast to database (optional - can be disabled for performance)
+                    cJSON* event_id_obj = cJSON_GetObjectItem(event, "id");
+                    if (event_id_obj && cJSON_IsString(event_id_obj)) {
+                        log_event_broadcast(cJSON_GetStringValue(event_id_obj), current_temp->id, current_temp->client_ip);
+                    }
+                }
+                
+                free(buf);
+            }
+            free(msg_str);
         }
         
-        sub = sub->next;
+        cJSON_Delete(event_msg);
+        current_temp = current_temp->next;
+    }
+    
+    // Clean up temporary subscription list
+    while (matching_subs) {
+        temp_sub_t* next = matching_subs->next;
+        free(matching_subs);
+        matching_subs = next;
     }
     
     // Update global statistics
+    pthread_mutex_lock(&g_subscription_manager.subscriptions_lock);
     g_subscription_manager.total_events_broadcast += broadcasts;
-
     pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.subscriptions_lock);
 
     return broadcasts;
@@ -688,19 +738,149 @@ void log_event_broadcast(const char* event_id, const char* sub_id, const char* c
 // Update events sent counter for a subscription
 void update_subscription_events_sent(const char* sub_id, int events_sent) {
     if (!g_db || !sub_id) return;
-    
+
     const char* sql =
         "UPDATE subscription_events "
         "SET events_sent = ? "
         "WHERE subscription_id = ? AND event_type = 'created'";
-    
+
     sqlite3_stmt* stmt;
     int rc = sqlite3_prepare_v2(g_db, sql, -1, &stmt, NULL);
     if (rc == SQLITE_OK) {
         sqlite3_bind_int(stmt, 1, events_sent);
         sqlite3_bind_text(stmt, 2, sub_id, -1, SQLITE_STATIC);
-        
+
         sqlite3_step(stmt);
         sqlite3_finalize(stmt);
     }
 }
+
+
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+//             PER-IP CONNECTION TRACKING
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+// Get or create IP connection info (thread-safe)
+ip_connection_info_t* get_or_create_ip_connection(const char* client_ip) {
+    if (!client_ip) return NULL;
+
+    pthread_mutex_lock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+
+    // Look for existing IP connection info
+    ip_connection_info_t* current = g_subscription_manager.ip_connections;
+    while (current) {
+        if (strcmp(current->ip_address, client_ip) == 0) {
+            // Found existing entry, update activity
+            current->last_activity = time(NULL);
+            pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+            return current;
+        }
+        current = current->next;
+    }
+
+    // Create new IP connection info
+    ip_connection_info_t* new_ip = calloc(1, sizeof(ip_connection_info_t));
+    if (!new_ip) {
+        pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Copy IP address safely
+    strncpy(new_ip->ip_address, client_ip, CLIENT_IP_MAX_LENGTH - 1);
+    new_ip->ip_address[CLIENT_IP_MAX_LENGTH - 1] = '\0';
+
+    // Initialize tracking data
+    time_t now = time(NULL);
+    new_ip->active_connections = 1;
+    new_ip->total_subscriptions = 0;
+    new_ip->first_connection = now;
+    new_ip->last_activity = now;
+
+    // Add to linked list
+    new_ip->next = g_subscription_manager.ip_connections;
+    g_subscription_manager.ip_connections = new_ip;
+
+    pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+    return new_ip;
+}
+
+// Update IP connection activity timestamp
+void update_ip_connection_activity(const char* client_ip) {
+    if (!client_ip) return;
+
+    pthread_mutex_lock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+
+    ip_connection_info_t* current = g_subscription_manager.ip_connections;
+    while (current) {
+        if (strcmp(current->ip_address, client_ip) == 0) {
+            current->last_activity = time(NULL);
+            break;
+        }
+        current = current->next;
+    }
+
+    pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+}
+
+// Remove IP connection (when last connection from IP closes)
+void remove_ip_connection(const char* client_ip) {
+    if (!client_ip) return;
+
+    pthread_mutex_lock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+
+    ip_connection_info_t** current = &g_subscription_manager.ip_connections;
+    while (*current) {
+        ip_connection_info_t* entry = *current;
+        if (strcmp(entry->ip_address, client_ip) == 0) {
+            // Remove from list
+            *current = entry->next;
+            free(entry);
+            break;
+        }
+        current = &((*current)->next);
+    }
+
+    pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+}
+
+// Get total subscriptions for an IP address
+int get_total_subscriptions_for_ip(const char* client_ip) {
+    if (!client_ip) return 0;
+
+    pthread_mutex_lock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+
+    ip_connection_info_t* current = g_subscription_manager.ip_connections;
+    while (current) {
+        if (strcmp(current->ip_address, client_ip) == 0) {
+            int total = current->total_subscriptions;
+            pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+            return total;
+        }
+        current = current->next;
+    }
+
+    pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+    return 0;
+}
+
+// Get active connections for an IP address
+int get_active_connections_for_ip(const char* client_ip) {
+    if (!client_ip) return 0;
+
+    pthread_mutex_lock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+
+    ip_connection_info_t* current = g_subscription_manager.ip_connections;
+    while (current) {
+        if (strcmp(current->ip_address, client_ip) == 0) {
+            int active = current->active_connections;
+            pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+            return active;
+        }
+        current = current->next;
+    }
+
+    pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_subscription_manager.ip_tracking_lock);
+    return 0;
+}

src/subscriptions.h

@@ -55,6 +55,16 @@ struct subscription {
     struct subscription* session_next;      // Next subscription for this session
 };
 
+// Per-IP connection tracking
+typedef struct ip_connection_info {
+    char ip_address[CLIENT_IP_MAX_LENGTH];  // IP address
+    int active_connections;                 // Number of active connections from this IP
+    int total_subscriptions;                // Total subscriptions across all connections from this IP
+    time_t first_connection;                // When first connection from this IP was established
+    time_t last_activity;                   // Last activity timestamp from this IP
+    struct ip_connection_info* next;        // Next in linked list
+} ip_connection_info_t;
+
 // Global subscription manager
 struct subscription_manager {
     subscription_t* active_subscriptions;   // Head of global subscription list
@@ -65,6 +75,10 @@ struct subscription_manager {
     int max_subscriptions_per_client;       // Default: 20
     int max_total_subscriptions;            // Default: 5000
 
+    // Per-IP connection tracking
+    ip_connection_info_t* ip_connections;   // Head of per-IP connection list
+    pthread_mutex_t ip_tracking_lock;       // Thread safety for IP tracking
+
     // Statistics
     uint64_t total_created;                 // Lifetime subscription count
     uint64_t total_events_broadcast;        // Lifetime event broadcast count
@@ -81,6 +95,13 @@ int event_matches_filter(cJSON* event, subscription_filter_t* filter);
 int event_matches_subscription(cJSON* event, subscription_t* subscription);
 int broadcast_event_to_subscriptions(cJSON* event);
 
+// Per-IP connection tracking functions
+ip_connection_info_t* get_or_create_ip_connection(const char* client_ip);
+void update_ip_connection_activity(const char* client_ip);
+void remove_ip_connection(const char* client_ip);
+int get_total_subscriptions_for_ip(const char* client_ip);
+int get_active_connections_for_ip(const char* client_ip);
+
 // Database logging functions
 void log_subscription_created(const subscription_t* sub);
 void log_subscription_closed(const char* sub_id, const char* client_ip, const char* reason);

src/websockets.c

@@ -1200,6 +1200,11 @@ int handle_count_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, st
         return 0;
     }
 
+    // Parameter binding helpers
+    char** bind_params = NULL;
+    int bind_param_count = 0;
+    int bind_param_capacity = 0;
+
     int total_count = 0;
 
     // Process each filter in the array
@@ -1210,6 +1215,15 @@ int handle_count_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, st
             continue;
         }
 
+        // Reset bind params for this filter
+        for (int j = 0; j < bind_param_count; j++) {
+            free(bind_params[j]);
+        }
+        free(bind_params);
+        bind_params = NULL;
+        bind_param_count = 0;
+        bind_param_capacity = 0;
+
         // Build SQL COUNT query based on filter - exclude ephemeral events (kinds 20000-29999) from historical queries
         char sql[1024] = "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM events WHERE 1=1 AND (kind < 20000 OR kind >= 30000)";
         char* sql_ptr = sql + strlen(sql);
@@ -1249,56 +1263,88 @@ int handle_count_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, st
         // Handle authors filter
         cJSON* authors = cJSON_GetObjectItem(filter, "authors");
         if (authors && cJSON_IsArray(authors)) {
-            int author_count = cJSON_GetArraySize(authors);
+            int author_count = 0;
+            // Count valid authors
+            for (int a = 0; a < cJSON_GetArraySize(authors); a++) {
+                cJSON* author = cJSON_GetArrayItem(authors, a);
+                if (cJSON_IsString(author)) {
+                    author_count++;
+                }
+            }
             if (author_count > 0) {
                 snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, " AND pubkey IN (");
                 sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                 remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
 
                 for (int a = 0; a < author_count; a++) {
-                    cJSON* author = cJSON_GetArrayItem(authors, a);
+                    if (a > 0) {
-                    if (cJSON_IsString(author)) {
+                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
-                        if (a > 0) {
+                        sql_ptr++;
-                            snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
+                        remaining--;
-                            sql_ptr++;
-                            remaining--;
-                        }
-                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "'%s'", cJSON_GetStringValue(author));
-                        sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
-                        remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                     }
+                    snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "?");
+                    sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
+                    remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                 }
                 snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ")");
                 sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                 remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
+
+                // Add author values to bind params
+                for (int a = 0; a < cJSON_GetArraySize(authors); a++) {
+                    cJSON* author = cJSON_GetArrayItem(authors, a);
+                    if (cJSON_IsString(author)) {
+                        if (bind_param_count >= bind_param_capacity) {
+                            bind_param_capacity = bind_param_capacity == 0 ? 16 : bind_param_capacity * 2;
+                            bind_params = realloc(bind_params, bind_param_capacity * sizeof(char*));
+                        }
+                        bind_params[bind_param_count++] = strdup(cJSON_GetStringValue(author));
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
 
         // Handle ids filter
         cJSON* ids = cJSON_GetObjectItem(filter, "ids");
         if (ids && cJSON_IsArray(ids)) {
-            int id_count = cJSON_GetArraySize(ids);
+            int id_count = 0;
+            // Count valid ids
+            for (int i = 0; i < cJSON_GetArraySize(ids); i++) {
+                cJSON* id = cJSON_GetArrayItem(ids, i);
+                if (cJSON_IsString(id)) {
+                    id_count++;
+                }
+            }
             if (id_count > 0) {
                 snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, " AND id IN (");
                 sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                 remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
 
                 for (int i = 0; i < id_count; i++) {
-                    cJSON* id = cJSON_GetArrayItem(ids, i);
+                    if (i > 0) {
-                    if (cJSON_IsString(id)) {
+                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
-                        if (i > 0) {
+                        sql_ptr++;
-                            snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
+                        remaining--;
-                            sql_ptr++;
-                            remaining--;
-                        }
-                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "'%s'", cJSON_GetStringValue(id));
-                        sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
-                        remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                     }
+                    snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "?");
+                    sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
+                    remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                 }
                 snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ")");
                 sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                 remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
+
+                // Add id values to bind params
+                for (int i = 0; i < cJSON_GetArraySize(ids); i++) {
+                    cJSON* id = cJSON_GetArrayItem(ids, i);
+                    if (cJSON_IsString(id)) {
+                        if (bind_param_count >= bind_param_capacity) {
+                            bind_param_capacity = bind_param_capacity == 0 ? 16 : bind_param_capacity * 2;
+                            bind_params = realloc(bind_params, bind_param_capacity * sizeof(char*));
+                        }
+                        bind_params[bind_param_count++] = strdup(cJSON_GetStringValue(id));
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
 
@@ -1311,29 +1357,50 @@ int handle_count_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, st
                 const char* tag_name = filter_key + 1; // Get the tag name (e, p, t, type, etc.)
 
                 if (cJSON_IsArray(filter_item)) {
-                    int tag_value_count = cJSON_GetArraySize(filter_item);
+                    int tag_value_count = 0;
+                    // Count valid tag values
+                    for (int i = 0; i < cJSON_GetArraySize(filter_item); i++) {
+                        cJSON* tag_value = cJSON_GetArrayItem(filter_item, i);
+                        if (cJSON_IsString(tag_value)) {
+                            tag_value_count++;
+                        }
+                    }
                     if (tag_value_count > 0) {
-                        // Use EXISTS with JSON extraction to check for matching tags
+                        // Use EXISTS with parameterized query
-                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, " AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM json_each(json(tags)) WHERE json_extract(value, '$[0]') = '%s' AND json_extract(value, '$[1]') IN (", tag_name);
+                        snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, " AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM json_each(json(tags)) WHERE json_extract(value, '$[0]') = ? AND json_extract(value, '$[1]') IN (");
                         sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                         remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
 
                         for (int i = 0; i < tag_value_count; i++) {
-                            cJSON* tag_value = cJSON_GetArrayItem(filter_item, i);
+                            if (i > 0) {
-                            if (cJSON_IsString(tag_value)) {
+                                snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
-                                if (i > 0) {
+                                sql_ptr++;
-                                    snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, ",");
+                                remaining--;
-                                    sql_ptr++;
-                                    remaining--;
-                                }
-                                snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "'%s'", cJSON_GetStringValue(tag_value));
-                                sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
-                                remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                             }
+                            snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "?");
+                            sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
+                            remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
                         }
                         snprintf(sql_ptr, remaining, "))");
                         sql_ptr += strlen(sql_ptr);
                         remaining = sizeof(sql) - strlen(sql);
+
+                        // Add tag name and values to bind params
+                        if (bind_param_count >= bind_param_capacity) {
+                            bind_param_capacity = bind_param_capacity == 0 ? 16 : bind_param_capacity * 2;
+                            bind_params = realloc(bind_params, bind_param_capacity * sizeof(char*));
+                        }
+                        bind_params[bind_param_count++] = strdup(tag_name);
+                        for (int i = 0; i < cJSON_GetArraySize(filter_item); i++) {
+                            cJSON* tag_value = cJSON_GetArrayItem(filter_item, i);
+                            if (cJSON_IsString(tag_value)) {
+                                if (bind_param_count >= bind_param_capacity) {
+                                    bind_param_capacity = bind_param_capacity == 0 ? 16 : bind_param_capacity * 2;
+                                    bind_params = realloc(bind_params, bind_param_capacity * sizeof(char*));
+                                }
+                                bind_params[bind_param_count++] = strdup(cJSON_GetStringValue(tag_value));
+                            }
+                        }
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -1395,6 +1462,11 @@ int handle_count_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, st
             continue;
         }
 
+        // Bind parameters
+        for (int i = 0; i < bind_param_count; i++) {
+            sqlite3_bind_text(stmt, i + 1, bind_params[i], -1, SQLITE_TRANSIENT);
+        }
+
         int filter_count = 0;
         if (sqlite3_step(stmt) == SQLITE_ROW) {
             filter_count = sqlite3_column_int(stmt, 0);
@@ -1431,5 +1503,11 @@ int handle_count_message(const char* sub_id, cJSON* filters, struct lws *wsi, st
     }
     cJSON_Delete(count_response);
 
+    // Cleanup bind params
+    for (int i = 0; i < bind_param_count; i++) {
+        free(bind_params[i]);
+    }
+    free(bind_params);
+
     return total_count;
 }

src/websockets.h

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 #define CHALLENGE_MAX_LENGTH 128
 #define AUTHENTICATED_PUBKEY_MAX_LENGTH 65  // 64 hex + null
 
-// Enhanced per-session data with subscription management and NIP-42 authentication
+// Enhanced per-session data with subscription management, NIP-42 authentication, and rate limiting
 struct per_session_data {
     int authenticated;
     struct subscription* subscriptions;      // Head of this session's subscription list
@@ -30,6 +30,12 @@ struct per_session_data {
     int nip42_auth_required_events;          // Whether NIP-42 auth is required for EVENT submission
     int nip42_auth_required_subscriptions;   // Whether NIP-42 auth is required for REQ operations
     int auth_challenge_sent;                 // Whether challenge has been sent (0/1)
+
+    // Rate limiting for subscription attempts
+    int failed_subscription_attempts;        // Count of failed subscription attempts
+    time_t last_failed_attempt;              // Timestamp of last failed attempt
+    time_t rate_limit_until;                 // Time until rate limiting expires
+    int consecutive_failures;                // Consecutive failed attempts for backoff
 };
 
 // NIP-11 HTTP session data structure for managing buffer lifetime

tests/subscription_limits.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Simple test script to verify subscription limit enforcement and rate limiting
+# This script tests that subscription limits are enforced early
+
+set -e
+
+RELAY_URL="ws://127.0.0.1:8888"
+
+echo "=== Subscription Limit Test ==="
+echo "[INFO] Testing relay at: $RELAY_URL"
+echo "[INFO] Note: This test assumes default subscription limits (max 25 per client)"
+echo ""
+
+# Test basic connectivity first
+echo "=== Test 1: Basic Connectivity ==="
+echo "[INFO] Testing basic WebSocket connection..."
+
+# Send a simple REQ message
+response=$(echo '["REQ","basic_test",{}]' | timeout 5 websocat -n1 "$RELAY_URL" 2>/dev/null || echo "TIMEOUT")
+
+if echo "$response" | grep -q "EOSE\|EVENT\|NOTICE"; then
+    echo "[PASS] Basic connectivity works"
+else
+    echo "[FAIL] Basic connectivity failed. Response: $response"
+    exit 1
+fi
+echo ""
+
+# Test subscription limits
+echo "=== Test 2: Subscription Limit Enforcement ==="
+echo "[INFO] Testing subscription limits by creating multiple subscriptions..."
+
+success_count=0
+limit_hit=false
+
+# Create multiple subscriptions in sequence (each in its own connection)
+for i in {1..30}; do
+    echo "[INFO] Creating subscription $i..."
+    sub_id="limit_test_$i_$(date +%s%N)"
+    response=$(echo "[\"REQ\",\"$sub_id\",{}]" | timeout 5 websocat -n1 "$RELAY_URL" 2>/dev/null || echo "TIMEOUT")
+
+    if echo "$response" | grep -q "CLOSED.*$sub_id.*exceeded"; then
+        echo "[INFO] Hit subscription limit at subscription $i"
+        limit_hit=true
+        break
+    elif echo "$response" | grep -q "EOSE\|EVENT"; then
+        ((success_count++))
+    else
+        echo "[WARN] Unexpected response for subscription $i: $response"
+    fi
+
+    sleep 0.1
+done
+
+if [ "$limit_hit" = true ]; then
+    echo "[PASS] Subscription limit enforcement working (limit hit after $success_count subscriptions)"
+else
+    echo "[WARN] Subscription limit not hit after 30 attempts"
+fi
+echo ""
+
+echo "=== Test Complete ==="