Why is my Android app receiving HTML instead of JSON data from a ByetHost server, and how can I fix it?

Server-Side Cookie Validation with ByetHost

Issue

An Android app is parsing JSON data from a ByetHost server but receiving HTML values instead. This issue is encountered after previously functioning correctly.

Solution

ByetHost has implemented an anti-bot security module called testcookie-nginx-module. This module validates HTTP requests using a two-step process:

1. Initial Request:

   • The module generates a JavaScript redirect that creates a validation cookie with an AES key.
   • It redirects the client to the actual JSON URL.

2. Subsequent Requests:

   • The validation cookie is used to validate the AES key and allow access to the JSON data.

Cause of HTML Values:

When the Android app requests data from the ByetHost server, it lacks the necessary validation cookie. As a result, the server returns the JavaScript redirect, which is treated as HTML by the app.

Solution for Android App:

Obtain the Validation Cookie:

1. Access the JSON URL once using a web browser like Chrome.
2. Copy the value of the "__test" cookie from the browser's developer tools.

Set the Cookie in the Android App:

Add the following code to the HTTP request in your Android app:

<code class="java">httpPost.addHeader("Cookie", "__test=THE_CONTENT_OF_YOUR_COOKIE_HERE; expires=Thu, 31-Dec-37 23:55:55 GMT; path=/");</code>

Replace "__test=THE_CONTENT_OF_YOUR_COOKIE_HERE" with the actual cookie value.

PHP File Example:

<code class="php"><?php // Database connection
$result = mysqli_query($con, "SELECT * FROM `pj_medionline_mst_stockist` ORDER BY `ID` ASC");

$response = array();
$posts = array();
while ($row = mysqli_fetch_array($result)) {
    $posts[] = array(
        'id' => $row["ID"],
        'stkcode' => $row["stkcode"],
        'stkname' => $row["ComName"],
        'operatorid' => $row["operatorid"],
        'password' => $row["Password"]
    );
}
$response['stokist'] = $posts;
print(json_encode($response));
?></code>

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