mod_authz_groupfile
Group authorization using plaintext files
Base
mod_authz_groupfile.c
authz_groupfile_module
Available in Apache 2.1 and later

This module provides authorization capabilities so that authenticated users can be allowed or denied access to portions of the web site by group membership. Similar functionality is provided by mod_authz_dbm.

Require
Satisfy
AuthGroupFile
Sets the name of a text file containing the list of user groups for authorization
AuthGroupFile file-path
directory
.htaccess
AuthConfig

The AuthGroupFile directive sets the name of a textual file containing the list of user groups for user authorization. File-path is the path to the group file. If it is not absolute, it is treated as relative to the ServerRoot.

Each line of the group file contains a groupname followed by a colon, followed by the member usernames separated by spaces.

# Example:

mygroup: bob joe anne

Note that searching large text files is very inefficient; AuthDBMGroupFile provides a much better performance.

# Security

Make sure that the AuthGroupFile is stored outside the document tree of the web-server; do not put it in the directory that it protects. Otherwise, clients may be able to download the AuthGroupFile.

AuthzGroupFileAuthoritative
Sets whether authorization will be passed on to lower level modules
AuthzGroupFileAuthoritative On|Off
AuthzGroupFileAuthoritative On
directory
.htaccess
AuthConfig

Setting the AuthzGroupFileAuthoritative directive explicitly to `Off` allows for group authorization to be passed on to lower level modules (as defined in the `modules.c` files) if there is no group matching the supplied userID.

By default, control is not passed on and an unknown group will result in an Authentication Required reply. Not setting it thus keeps the system secure and forces an NCSA compliant behaviour.

# Security

Do consider the implications of allowing a user to allow fall-through in his `.htaccess` file; and verify that this is really what you want; Generally it is easier to just secure a single `.htpasswd` file, than it is to secure a database which might have more access interfaces.