Securing Laravel File Uploads & Download Endpoints

Never Expose Private Storage Paths

When users upload project files or starter code ZIPs, storing them in a public disk allows unrestricted hotlinking and bypasses authorization.

Always store protected resources on the local private disk:

$path = $request->file('starter_zip')->store('resources/starters', 'local');

Authorizing Downloads via Controllers

Create an authorized route that checks the user's permissions before streaming the file:

public function download(Resource $resource)
{
    Gate::authorize('download', $resource);

    return Storage::disk('local')->download(
        $resource->file_path,
        $resource->title . '.' . pathinfo($resource->file_path, PATHINFO_EXTENSION)
    );
}

This prevents IDOR vulnerabilities and guarantees access logs remain accurate.