feat: support per-gallery password toggle

backend/src/database/db.js

@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ async function initializeDatabase() {
       table.boolean('watermark_downloads').defaultTo(false);
       table.text('watermark_text');
       table.integer('hero_photo_id').references('id').inTable('photos').onDelete('SET NULL');
+      table.boolean('require_password').defaultTo(true);
     });
   } else {
     // Check if color_theme needs to be updated to TEXT type
@@ -116,7 +117,8 @@ async function initializeDatabase() {
             disable_right_click BOOLEAN DEFAULT 0,
             watermark_downloads BOOLEAN DEFAULT 0,
             watermark_text TEXT,
-            hero_photo_id INTEGER
+            hero_photo_id INTEGER,
+            require_password BOOLEAN DEFAULT 1
           )
         `);
         
@@ -138,6 +140,8 @@ async function initializeDatabase() {
               return 'watermark_text';
             case 'hero_photo_id':
               return 'hero_photo_id';
+            case 'require_password':
+              return 'COALESCE(require_password, 1) as require_password';
             default:
               return col;
           }

backend/src/middleware/gallery.js

@@ -2,13 +2,48 @@ const jwt = require('jsonwebtoken');
 const { db, withRetry } = require('../database/db');
 const { formatBoolean } = require('../utils/dbCompat');
 const { getGalleryTokenFromRequest } = require('../utils/tokenUtils');
+const logger = require('../utils/logger');
 
 // Middleware to verify gallery access
 async function verifyGalleryAccess(req, res, next) {
   try {
     const requestedSlug = req.params.slug || req.requestedSlug;
     const token = getGalleryTokenFromRequest(req, requestedSlug);
+    let event;
+
     if (!token) {
+      if (!requestedSlug) {
+        return res.status(401).json({ error: 'No token provided' });
+      }
+
+      event = await withRetry(async () => {
+        return await db('events')
+          .where({ 
+            slug: requestedSlug,
+            is_active: formatBoolean(true),
+            is_archived: formatBoolean(false)
+          })
+          .select('*')
+          .first();
+      });
+
+      if (!event) {
+        return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Gallery not found or expired' });
+      }
+
+      const requiresPassword = !(event.require_password === false || event.require_password === 0 || event.require_password === '0');
+      if (!requiresPassword) {
+        req.event = event;
+        req.sessionID = `gallery_public_${event.id}_${Date.now()}`;
+        req.clientInfo = {
+          ip: req.ip || req.connection.remoteAddress || 'unknown',
+          userAgent: req.get('User-Agent') || 'unknown',
+          fingerprint: `${req.ip}-${req.get('User-Agent')}`.substring(0, 32),
+          timestamp: Date.now()
+        };
+        return next();
+      }
+
       return res.status(401).json({ error: 'No token provided' });
     }
     
@@ -26,10 +61,9 @@ async function verifyGalleryAccess(req, res, next) {
         throw error;
       }
     }
-    console.log('[verifyGalleryAccess] Token decoded successfully, eventId:', decoded.eventId);
+    logger.debug('[verifyGalleryAccess] Token decoded successfully', { eventId: decoded.eventId, slug: requestedSlug });
     
     // If we have a slug in the URL params or from pre-middleware, verify it matches
-    let event;
     if (requestedSlug) {
       // Verify by slug and ensure it matches the token's event
       event = await withRetry(async () => {
@@ -62,11 +96,11 @@ async function verifyGalleryAccess(req, res, next) {
     }
     
     if (!event) {
-      console.log('[verifyGalleryAccess] Event not found for slug:', requestedSlug || 'no-slug', 'eventId:', decoded.eventId);
+      logger.warn('[verifyGalleryAccess] Event not found for slug', { slug: requestedSlug || 'no-slug', tokenEventId: decoded.eventId });
       return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Gallery not found or expired' });
     }
     
-    console.log('[verifyGalleryAccess] Event found:', event.id, event.slug);
+    logger.debug('[verifyGalleryAccess] Event located', { eventId: event.id, slug: event.slug });
     req.event = event;
     req.sessionID = decoded.sessionId || `gallery_${event.id}_${Date.now()}`;
     
@@ -78,10 +112,10 @@ async function verifyGalleryAccess(req, res, next) {
       timestamp: Date.now()
     };
     
-    console.log('[verifyGalleryAccess] Access granted for event:', event.id);
+    logger.debug('[verifyGalleryAccess] Access granted', { eventId: event.id, slug: event.slug });
     next();
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('Error verifying gallery access:', error);
+    logger.error('Error verifying gallery access', { error: error.message, stack: error.stack });
     res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid token' });
   }
 }

backend/src/middleware/photoAuth.js

@@ -3,14 +3,13 @@ const jwt = require('jsonwebtoken');
 const { db } = require('../database/db');
 const { formatBoolean } = require('../utils/dbCompat');
 const { getGalleryTokenFromRequest } = require('../utils/tokenUtils');
+const logger = require('../utils/logger');
 
 async function photoAuth(req, res, next) {
   try {
     // Extract event slug from the path
     let eventSlug;
     
-    console.log('PhotoAuth middleware - path:', req.path);
-    
     // For thumbnails, we need to parse the filename to get the event info
     if (req.path.startsWith('/thumb_')) {
       // For now, we'll rely on JWT token for thumbnail access
@@ -80,29 +79,36 @@ async function photoAuth(req, res, next) {
           // For both thumbnails and photos with admin token, allow access
           return next();
         }
-      } catch (err) {
-        // Token invalid, fall through to password check
-        console.error('JWT verification failed:', err.message);
+    } catch (err) {
+      // Token invalid, fall through to password check
+      logger.warn('JWT verification failed in photoAuth', { error: err.message });
       }
     }
     
     // Check for password header (legacy support)
     const password = req.headers['x-gallery-password'];
     
-    if (!password && !tokenFromRequest) {
-      return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Authentication required' });
-    }
-    
     // If no eventSlug (thumbnails), and we don't have valid auth yet, deny access
-    if (!eventSlug && !password) {
+    if (!eventSlug && !password && !tokenFromRequest) {
       return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Authentication required for thumbnails' });
     }
-    
+
     const event = await db('events').where({ slug: eventSlug, is_active: formatBoolean(true) }).first();
     if (!event) {
       return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Gallery not found' });
     }
+
+    const requiresPassword = !(event.require_password === false || event.require_password === 0 || event.require_password === '0');
+
+    if (!requiresPassword) {
+      req.event = event;
+      return next();
+    }
     
+    if (!password && !tokenFromRequest) {
+      return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Authentication required' });
+    }
+
     if (password) {
       const validPassword = await bcrypt.compare(password, event.password_hash);
       if (!validPassword) {
@@ -122,7 +128,7 @@ async function photoAuth(req, res, next) {
     req.event = event;
     next();
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('Photo auth error:', error);
+    logger.error('Photo auth error', { error: error.message, stack: error.stack });
     res.status(500).json({ error: 'Authentication error' });
   }
 }

backend/src/routes/adminEvents.js

@@ -13,6 +13,29 @@ const { queueEmail } = require('../services/emailProcessor');
 const { escapeLikePattern } = require('../utils/sqlSecurity');
 // formatDate import removed - dates are formatted by email processor
 const { validatePasswordInContext, getBcryptRounds } = require('../utils/passwordValidation');
+const logger = require('../utils/logger');
+
+const parseBooleanInput = (value, defaultValue = true) => {
+  if (value === undefined || value === null) {
+    return defaultValue;
+  }
+  if (typeof value === 'boolean') {
+    return value;
+  }
+  if (typeof value === 'number') {
+    return value !== 0;
+  }
+  if (typeof value === 'string') {
+    const normalized = value.trim().toLowerCase();
+    if (['false', '0', 'no', 'off'].includes(normalized)) {
+      return false;
+    }
+    if (['true', '1', 'yes', 'on'].includes(normalized)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+  return defaultValue;
+};
 
 // Create new event
 router.post('/', adminAuth, [
@@ -21,7 +44,30 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
   body('event_date').isDate(),
   body('host_email').isEmail().normalizeEmail(),
   body('admin_email').isEmail().normalizeEmail(),
-  body('password').isLength({ min: 6 }),
+  body('require_password').optional().isBoolean(),
+  body('password').optional().isString().custom((value, { req }) => {
+    const input = req.body.require_password;
+    const normalizeBoolean = (val, defaultValue = true) => {
+      if (val === undefined || val === null) return defaultValue;
+      if (typeof val === 'boolean') return val;
+      if (typeof val === 'number') return val !== 0;
+      if (typeof val === 'string') {
+        const normalized = val.trim().toLowerCase();
+        if (['false', '0', 'no', 'off'].includes(normalized)) return false;
+        if (['true', '1', 'yes', 'on'].includes(normalized)) return true;
+      }
+      return defaultValue;
+    };
+
+    const requirePassword = normalizeBoolean(input, true);
+    if (!requirePassword) {
+      return true;
+    }
+    if (typeof value !== 'string' || value.trim().length < 6) {
+      throw new Error('Password must be at least 6 characters long');
+    }
+    return true;
+  }),
   body('expiration_days').isInt({ min: 1, max: 365 }).optional(),
   body('welcome_message').optional().trim(),
   body('color_theme').optional().trim(),
@@ -34,7 +80,7 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
   body('watermark_text').optional().trim()
 ], async (req, res) => {
   try {
-    console.log('Create event request body:', req.body);
+    logger.debug('Create event request body', { body: req.body });
     const errors = validationResult(req);
     if (!errors.isEmpty()) {
       console.error('Validation errors:', errors.array());
@@ -58,6 +104,7 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
       disable_right_click = false,
       watermark_downloads = false,
       watermark_text = null,
+      require_password: requirePasswordInput = true,
       // Feedback settings
       feedback_enabled = false,
       allow_ratings = true,
@@ -69,12 +116,15 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
       show_feedback_to_guests = true
     } = req.body;
     
+    const requirePassword = parseBooleanInput(requirePasswordInput, true);
+
     // Debug logging
-    console.log('Download control values:', {
+    logger.debug('Download control values', {
       allow_downloads,
       disable_right_click,
       watermark_downloads,
       watermark_text,
+      require_password: requirePassword,
       types: {
         allow_downloads: typeof allow_downloads,
         disable_right_click: typeof disable_right_click,
@@ -82,18 +132,24 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
       }
     });
     
-    // Validate password strength
-    const passwordValidation = await validatePasswordInContext(password, 'gallery', {
-      eventName: event_name
-    });
-    
-    if (!passwordValidation.valid) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ 
-        error: 'Password does not meet security requirements',
-        details: passwordValidation.errors,
-        score: passwordValidation.score,
-        feedback: passwordValidation.feedback
+    let passwordValidation = null;
+    let galleryPassword = password;
+
+    if (requirePassword) {
+      passwordValidation = await validatePasswordInContext(password, 'gallery', {
+        eventName: event_name
       });
+
+      if (!passwordValidation.valid) {
+        return res.status(400).json({ 
+          error: 'Password does not meet security requirements',
+          details: passwordValidation.errors,
+          score: passwordValidation.score,
+          feedback: passwordValidation.feedback
+        });
+      }
+    } else {
+      galleryPassword = '';
     }
     
     // Generate unique slug
@@ -113,10 +169,14 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
     
     // Generate share link
     const shareToken = crypto.randomBytes(16).toString('hex');
-    const shareLink = `${process.env.FRONTEND_URL}/gallery/${slug}/${shareToken}`;
+    const sharePath = `/gallery/${slug}/${shareToken}`;
+    const frontendBase = (process.env.FRONTEND_URL || '').replace(/\/$/, '');
+    const shareLink = frontendBase ? `${frontendBase}${sharePath}` : sharePath;
     
-    // Hash password with configurable rounds
-    const password_hash = await bcrypt.hash(password, getBcryptRounds());
+    // Hash password with configurable rounds (random placeholder when not required)
+    const password_hash = requirePassword
+      ? await bcrypt.hash(password, getBcryptRounds())
+      : await bcrypt.hash(crypto.randomBytes(32).toString('hex'), getBcryptRounds());
     
     // Calculate expiration date (days after event date)
     // Parse YYYY-MM-DD format as local date to avoid timezone issues
@@ -155,7 +215,8 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
       allow_downloads: formatBoolean(allow_downloads !== undefined ? allow_downloads : true),
       disable_right_click: formatBoolean(disable_right_click !== undefined ? disable_right_click : false),
       watermark_downloads: formatBoolean(watermark_downloads !== undefined ? watermark_downloads : false),
-      watermark_text
+      watermark_text,
+      require_password: formatBoolean(requirePassword)
     }).returning('id');
     
     // Handle both PostgreSQL (returns array of objects) and SQLite (returns array of IDs)
@@ -180,7 +241,7 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
     
     // Log activity
     await logActivity('event_created', 
-      { event_type, expires_at }, 
+      { event_type, expires_at, require_password: requirePassword, password_strength: passwordValidation?.score }, 
       eventId, 
       { type: 'admin', id: req.admin.id, name: req.admin.username }
     );
@@ -197,7 +258,7 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
         event_name,
         event_date: event_date,  // Pass raw date - will be formatted by email processor
         gallery_link: shareLink,
-        gallery_password: password,
+        gallery_password: requirePassword ? password : 'No password required',
         expiry_date: expires_at.toISOString(),  // Pass ISO string - will be formatted by email processor
         welcome_message: welcome_message || ''
       }),
@@ -211,6 +272,7 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
       slug,
       event_name,
       event_type,
+      require_password: requirePassword,
       share_link: shareLink,
       expires_at: expires_at.toISOString(),
       created_at: new Date().toISOString()
@@ -398,19 +460,45 @@ router.put('/:id', adminAuth, [
   body('watermark_downloads').optional().isBoolean(),
   body('watermark_text').optional().trim(),
   body('source_mode').optional().isIn(['managed', 'reference']),
-  body('external_path').optional({ nullable: true }).isString().trim()
+  body('external_path').optional({ nullable: true }).isString().trim(),
+  body('require_password').optional().isBoolean(),
+  body('password').optional().isString().custom((value, { req }) => {
+    if (value === undefined || value === null || value === '') {
+      return true;
+    }
+    if (typeof value !== 'string' || value.trim().length < 6) {
+      throw new Error('Password must be at least 6 characters long');
+    }
+    return true;
+  })
 ], async (req, res) => {
   try {
     const errors = validationResult(req);
     if (!errors.isEmpty()) {
-      console.log('Update event validation errors:', JSON.stringify(errors.array(), null, 2));
-      console.log('Request body:', req.body);
+      logger.debug('Update event validation errors', { errors: errors.array(), body: req.body });
       return res.status(400).json({ errors: errors.array() });
     }
 
     const { id } = req.params;
     const updates = { ...req.body };
 
+    const hasRequirePasswordUpdate = Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(updates, 'require_password');
+    let requirePasswordUpdate;
+    if (hasRequirePasswordUpdate) {
+      requirePasswordUpdate = parseBooleanInput(updates.require_password, true);
+      updates.require_password = formatBoolean(requirePasswordUpdate);
+    }
+
+    let newPasswordPlain;
+    if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(updates, 'password')) {
+      if (updates.password === undefined || updates.password === null || updates.password === '') {
+        delete updates.password;
+      } else {
+        newPasswordPlain = updates.password;
+        delete updates.password;
+      }
+    }
+
     if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(updates, 'source_mode')) {
       updates.source_mode = updates.source_mode === 'reference' ? 'reference' : 'managed';
     }
@@ -429,7 +517,7 @@ router.put('/:id', adminAuth, [
     }
 
     // Log the update request for debugging
-    console.log('Update event request:', {
+    logger.debug('Update event request', {
       id,
       updates,
       color_theme_length: updates.color_theme ? updates.color_theme.length : 0,
@@ -444,6 +532,18 @@ router.put('/:id', adminAuth, [
       return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Event not found' });
     }
 
+    const currentRequirePassword = parseBooleanInput(event.require_password, true);
+
+    if (hasRequirePasswordUpdate && requirePasswordUpdate === true && !currentRequirePassword && !newPasswordPlain) {
+      return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Password must be provided when enabling password requirement.' });
+    }
+
+    if (newPasswordPlain) {
+      updates.password_hash = await bcrypt.hash(newPasswordPlain, getBcryptRounds());
+    } else if (hasRequirePasswordUpdate && requirePasswordUpdate === false && currentRequirePassword) {
+      updates.password_hash = await bcrypt.hash(crypto.randomBytes(32).toString('hex'), getBcryptRounds());
+    }
+
     // Update event
     await db('events')
       .where('id', id)

backend/src/routes/auth-enhanced-v2.js

@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ router.post('/logout', async (req, res) => {
 // Gallery password verification with enhanced security
 router.post('/gallery/verify', [
   body('slug').notEmpty().trim(),
-  body('password').notEmpty()
+  body('password').optional().isString()
 ], async (req, res) => {
   try {
     const errors = validationResult(req);
@@ -232,53 +232,69 @@ router.post('/gallery/verify', [
     const ipAddress = req.ip || req.connection.remoteAddress;
     const userAgent = req.headers['user-agent'] || '';
     
-    // Check gallery-specific lockout
-    const lockoutStatus = await checkAccountLockout(`gallery:${slug}`);
-    if (lockoutStatus.isLocked) {
-      logger.warn('Gallery access attempt on locked gallery', { slug, ipAddress });
-      return res.status(423).json({ 
-        error: 'Too many failed attempts. Please try again later.',
-        retryAfter: lockoutStatus.remainingTime
-      });
-    }
-    
-    // Verify reCAPTCHA
-    const recaptchaValid = await verifyRecaptcha(recaptchaToken);
-    if (!recaptchaValid) {
-      await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: 'reCAPTCHA verification failed' });
-    }
-    
     const event = await db('events').where({ slug, is_active: formatBoolean(true), is_archived: formatBoolean(false) }).first();
+    const requiresPassword = !(event && (event.require_password === false || event.require_password === 0 || event.require_password === '0'));
+
+    if (requiresPassword) {
+      const lockoutStatus = await checkAccountLockout(`gallery:${slug}`);
+      if (lockoutStatus.isLocked) {
+        logger.warn('Gallery access attempt on locked gallery', { slug, ipAddress });
+        return res.status(423).json({ 
+          error: 'Too many failed attempts. Please try again later.',
+          retryAfter: lockoutStatus.remainingTime
+        });
+      }
+
+      const recaptchaValid = await verifyRecaptcha(recaptchaToken);
+      if (!recaptchaValid) {
+        await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+        return res.status(400).json({ error: 'reCAPTCHA verification failed' });
+      }
+    }
+
     if (!event) {
       // Don't reveal if gallery exists
       await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
       return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid gallery or password' });
     }
-    
-    const validPassword = await bcrypt.compare(password, event.password_hash);
-    if (!validPassword) {
-      await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+
+    if (requiresPassword) {
+      if (!password) {
+        await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+        return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid gallery or password' });
+      }
+
+      const validPassword = await bcrypt.compare(password, event.password_hash);
+      if (!validPassword) {
+        await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+        await db('access_logs').insert({
+          event_id: event.id,
+          ip_address: ipAddress,
+          user_agent: userAgent,
+          action: 'login_fail'
+        });
+        return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid gallery or password' });
+      }
+
+      await trackSuccessfulLogin(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+
       await db('access_logs').insert({
         event_id: event.id,
         ip_address: ipAddress,
         user_agent: userAgent,
-        action: 'login_fail'
+        action: 'login_success'
+      });
+    } else {
+      logger.info('Public gallery access granted without password', { slug, ipAddress });
+      await trackSuccessfulLogin(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+      await db('access_logs').insert({
+        event_id: event.id,
+        ip_address: ipAddress,
+        user_agent: userAgent,
+        action: 'login_success'
       });
-      return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid gallery or password' });
     }
     
-    // Successful access
-    await trackSuccessfulLogin(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
-    
-    // Log successful access
-    await db('access_logs').insert({
-      event_id: event.id,
-      ip_address: ipAddress,
-      user_agent: userAgent,
-      action: 'login_success'
-    });
-    
     // Generate session token with additional security info
     const token = jwt.sign({ 
       eventId: event.id, 
@@ -302,7 +318,8 @@ router.post('/gallery/verify', [
         color_theme: event.color_theme,
         expires_at: event.expires_at,
         allow_user_uploads: event.allow_user_uploads,
-        upload_category_id: event.upload_category_id
+        upload_category_id: event.upload_category_id,
+        require_password: requiresPassword
       }
     });
   } catch (error) {
@@ -372,4 +389,4 @@ router.post('/password-strength', [
   }
 });
 
-module.exports = router;
+module.exports = router;

backend/src/routes/auth-enhanced.js

@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ router.post('/logout', async (req, res) => {
 // Gallery password verification with enhanced security
 router.post('/gallery/verify', [
   body('slug').notEmpty().trim(),
-  body('password').notEmpty()
+  body('password').optional().isString()
 ], async (req, res) => {
   try {
     const errors = validationResult(req);
@@ -173,55 +173,68 @@ router.post('/gallery/verify', [
     const { slug, password, recaptchaToken } = req.body;
     const ipAddress = req.ip || req.connection.remoteAddress;
     const userAgent = req.headers['user-agent'] || '';
-    
-    // Check gallery-specific lockout
-    const lockoutStatus = await checkAccountLockout(`gallery:${slug}`);
-    if (lockoutStatus.isLocked) {
-      logger.warn('Gallery access attempt on locked gallery', { slug, ipAddress });
-      return res.status(423).json({ 
-        error: 'Too many failed attempts. Please try again later.',
-        retryAfter: lockoutStatus.remainingTime
-      });
-    }
-    
-    // Verify reCAPTCHA
-    const recaptchaValid = await verifyRecaptcha(recaptchaToken);
-    if (!recaptchaValid) {
-      await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: 'reCAPTCHA verification failed' });
-    }
-    
-    const event = await db('events').where({ slug, is_active: formatBoolean(true), is_archived: formatBoolean(false) }).first();
+    const event = await db('events')
+      .where({ slug, is_active: formatBoolean(true), is_archived: formatBoolean(false) })
+      .first();
+
     if (!event) {
-      // Don't reveal if gallery exists
       await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
       return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid gallery or password' });
     }
-    
-    const validPassword = await bcrypt.compare(password, event.password_hash);
-    if (!validPassword) {
-      await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+
+    const requiresPassword = !(event.require_password === false || event.require_password === 0 || event.require_password === '0');
+
+    if (requiresPassword) {
+      const lockoutStatus = await checkAccountLockout(`gallery:${slug}`);
+      if (lockoutStatus.isLocked) {
+        logger.warn('Gallery access attempt on locked gallery', { slug, ipAddress });
+        return res.status(423).json({ 
+          error: 'Too many failed attempts. Please try again later.',
+          retryAfter: lockoutStatus.remainingTime
+        });
+      }
+
+      const recaptchaValid = await verifyRecaptcha(recaptchaToken);
+      if (!recaptchaValid) {
+        await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+        return res.status(400).json({ error: 'reCAPTCHA verification failed' });
+      }
+
+      if (!password) {
+        await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+        return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid gallery or password' });
+      }
+
+      const validPassword = await bcrypt.compare(password, event.password_hash);
+      if (!validPassword) {
+        await trackFailedAttempt(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+        await db('access_logs').insert({
+          event_id: event.id,
+          ip_address: ipAddress,
+          user_agent: userAgent,
+          action: 'login_fail'
+        });
+        return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid gallery or password' });
+      }
+
+      await trackSuccessfulLogin(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
       await db('access_logs').insert({
         event_id: event.id,
         ip_address: ipAddress,
         user_agent: userAgent,
-        action: 'login_fail'
+        action: 'login_success'
+      });
+    } else {
+      logger.info('Public gallery access granted without password', { slug, ipAddress });
+      await trackSuccessfulLogin(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
+      await db('access_logs').insert({
+        event_id: event.id,
+        ip_address: ipAddress,
+        user_agent: userAgent,
+        action: 'login_success'
       });
-      return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid gallery or password' });
     }
-    
-    // Successful access
-    await trackSuccessfulLogin(`gallery:${slug}`, ipAddress, userAgent);
-    
-    // Log successful access
-    await db('access_logs').insert({
-      event_id: event.id,
-      ip_address: ipAddress,
-      user_agent: userAgent,
-      action: 'login_success'
-    });
-    
-    // Generate session token with additional security info
+
     const token = jwt.sign({ 
       eventId: event.id, 
       eventSlug: event.slug,
@@ -246,7 +259,8 @@ router.post('/gallery/verify', [
         color_theme: event.color_theme,
         expires_at: event.expires_at,
         allow_user_uploads: event.allow_user_uploads,
-        upload_category_id: event.upload_category_id
+        upload_category_id: event.upload_category_id,
+        require_password: requiresPassword
       }
     });
   } catch (error) {
@@ -301,6 +315,8 @@ router.post('/gallery/share-login', [
     await trackSuccessfulLogin(`gallery:${slug}:share`, ipAddress, userAgent);
     setGalleryAuthCookies(res, jwtToken, event.slug);
 
+    const requiresPassword = !(event.require_password === false || event.require_password === 0 || event.require_password === '0');
+
     res.json({
       token: jwtToken,
       event: {
@@ -312,7 +328,8 @@ router.post('/gallery/share-login', [
         color_theme: event.color_theme,
         expires_at: event.expires_at,
         allow_user_uploads: event.allow_user_uploads,
-        upload_category_id: event.upload_category_id
+        upload_category_id: event.upload_category_id,
+        require_password: requiresPassword
       }
     });
   } catch (error) {

backend/src/routes/events.js

@@ -4,11 +4,34 @@ const bcrypt = require('bcrypt');
 const crypto = require('crypto');
 const { db } = require('../database/db');
 const { formatBoolean } = require('../utils/dbCompat');
+const { validatePasswordInContext, getBcryptRounds } = require('../utils/passwordValidation');
 const { adminAuth } = require('../middleware/auth-enhanced-v2');
 const fs = require('fs').promises;
 const path = require('path');
 const router = express.Router();
 
+const parseBooleanInput = (value, defaultValue = true) => {
+  if (value === undefined || value === null) {
+    return defaultValue;
+  }
+  if (typeof value === 'boolean') {
+    return value;
+  }
+  if (typeof value === 'number') {
+    return value !== 0;
+  }
+  if (typeof value === 'string') {
+    const normalized = value.trim().toLowerCase();
+    if (['false', '0', 'no', 'off'].includes(normalized)) {
+      return false;
+    }
+    if (['true', '1', 'yes', 'on'].includes(normalized)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+  return defaultValue;
+};
+
 // Create new event
 router.post('/', adminAuth, [
   body('event_type').isIn(['wedding', 'birthday', 'corporate', 'other']),
@@ -16,7 +39,17 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
   body('event_date').isDate(),
   body('host_email').isEmail(),
   body('admin_email').isEmail(),
-  body('password').isLength({ min: 6 }),
+  body('require_password').optional().isBoolean(),
+  body('password').optional().isString().custom((value, { req }) => {
+    const requirePassword = parseBooleanInput(req.body.require_password, true);
+    if (!requirePassword) {
+      return true;
+    }
+    if (typeof value !== 'string' || value.trim().length < 6) {
+      throw new Error('Password must be at least 6 characters long');
+    }
+    return true;
+  }),
   body('expiration_days').isInt({ min: 1, max: 365 }).optional()
 ], async (req, res) => {
   try {
@@ -32,10 +65,28 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
       host_email,
       admin_email,
       password,
+      require_password: requirePasswordInput = true,
       welcome_message,
       color_theme,
       expiration_days = 30
     } = req.body;
+
+    const requirePassword = parseBooleanInput(requirePasswordInput, true);
+
+    if (requirePassword) {
+      const passwordValidation = await validatePasswordInContext(password, 'gallery', {
+        eventName: event_name
+      });
+
+      if (!passwordValidation.valid) {
+        return res.status(400).json({ 
+          error: 'Password does not meet security requirements',
+          details: passwordValidation.errors,
+          score: passwordValidation.score,
+          feedback: passwordValidation.feedback
+        });
+      }
+    }
     
     // Generate unique slug
     const baseSlug = `${event_type}-${event_name.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]/g, '-')}-${event_date}`;
@@ -49,10 +100,15 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
     
     // Generate share link (just slug/token, not full URL)
     const shareToken = crypto.randomBytes(16).toString('hex');
-    const shareLink = `${slug}/${shareToken}`;
+    const sharePath = `/gallery/${slug}/${shareToken}`;
+    const frontendBase = (process.env.FRONTEND_URL || '').replace(/\/$/, '');
+    const fullShareLink = frontendBase ? `${frontendBase}${sharePath}` : sharePath;
+    const shareLinkSlug = `${slug}/${shareToken}`;
     
-    // Hash password
-    const password_hash = await bcrypt.hash(password, 10);
+    // Hash password (or placeholder when not required)
+    const password_hash = requirePassword
+      ? await bcrypt.hash(password, getBcryptRounds())
+      : await bcrypt.hash(crypto.randomBytes(32).toString('hex'), getBcryptRounds());
     
     // Calculate expiration date (days after event date)
     const expires_at = new Date(event_date);
@@ -75,8 +131,9 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
       password_hash,
       welcome_message,
       color_theme,
-      share_link: shareLink,
-      expires_at
+      share_link: shareLinkSlug,
+      expires_at,
+      require_password: formatBoolean(requirePassword)
     }).returning('id');
     
     // Handle both PostgreSQL (returns array of objects) and SQLite (returns array of IDs)
@@ -88,17 +145,18 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, [
       host_name: host_email.split('@')[0], // Extract name from email
       event_name,
       event_date: event_date,  // Pass raw date - will be formatted by email processor
-      gallery_link: shareLink,
-      gallery_password: password,
+      gallery_link: fullShareLink,
+      gallery_password: requirePassword ? password : 'No password required',
       expiry_date: expires_at.toISOString(),  // Pass ISO string - will be formatted by email processor
       welcome_message: welcome_message || ''
     });
-    
+
     res.json({
       id: eventId,
       slug,
-      share_link: shareLink,
-      expires_at
+      share_link: fullShareLink,
+      expires_at,
+      require_password: requirePassword
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error(error);
@@ -137,17 +195,46 @@ router.get('/', adminAuth, async (req, res) => {
 router.put('/:id', adminAuth, async (req, res) => {
   try {
     const { id } = req.params;
-    const updates = req.body;
+    const updates = { ...req.body };
     
     // Don't allow updating certain fields
     delete updates.id;
     delete updates.slug;
     delete updates.created_at;
-    
-    // If updating password, hash it
-    if (updates.password) {
-      updates.password_hash = await bcrypt.hash(updates.password, 10);
-      delete updates.password;
+    delete updates.password_confirmation;
+
+    const hasRequirePasswordUpdate = Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(updates, 'require_password');
+    let requirePasswordUpdate;
+    if (hasRequirePasswordUpdate) {
+      requirePasswordUpdate = parseBooleanInput(updates.require_password, true);
+      updates.require_password = formatBoolean(requirePasswordUpdate);
+    }
+
+    let newPasswordPlain;
+    if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(updates, 'password')) {
+      if (updates.password === undefined || updates.password === null || updates.password === '') {
+        delete updates.password;
+      } else {
+        newPasswordPlain = updates.password;
+        delete updates.password;
+      }
+    }
+
+    const event = await db('events').where('id', id).first();
+    if (!event) {
+      return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Event not found' });
+    }
+
+    const currentRequirePassword = parseBooleanInput(event.require_password, true);
+
+    if (hasRequirePasswordUpdate && requirePasswordUpdate === true && !currentRequirePassword && !newPasswordPlain) {
+      return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Password must be provided when enabling password requirement.' });
+    }
+
+    if (newPasswordPlain) {
+      updates.password_hash = await bcrypt.hash(newPasswordPlain, getBcryptRounds());
+    } else if (hasRequirePasswordUpdate && requirePasswordUpdate === false && currentRequirePassword) {
+      updates.password_hash = await bcrypt.hash(crypto.randomBytes(32).toString('hex'), getBcryptRounds());
     }
     
     await db('events').where('id', id).update(updates);

backend/src/routes/gallery.js

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ router.get('/:slug/verify-token/:token', async (req, res) => {
     const { slug, token } = req.params;
     
     const event = await db('events')
-      .where({ share_link: slug, is_active: formatBoolean(true), is_archived: formatBoolean(false) })
+      .where({ slug, is_active: formatBoolean(true), is_archived: formatBoolean(false) })
       .select('id', 'share_link')
       .first();
     
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ router.get('/:slug/info', async (req, res) => {
     const event = await db('events')
       .where({ slug: slug })
       .select('event_name', 'event_type', 'event_date', 'expires_at', 'is_active', 'is_archived', 'share_link', 
-              'allow_downloads', 'disable_right_click', 'watermark_downloads', 'watermark_text')
+              'allow_downloads', 'disable_right_click', 'watermark_downloads', 'watermark_text', 'require_password', 'color_theme')
       .first();
     
     if (!event) {
@@ -74,6 +74,8 @@ router.get('/:slug/info', async (req, res) => {
       }
     }
     
+    const requiresPassword = !(event.require_password === false || event.require_password === 0 || event.require_password === '0');
+
     res.json({
       event_name: event.event_name,
       event_type: event.event_type,
@@ -81,11 +83,11 @@ router.get('/:slug/info', async (req, res) => {
       expires_at: event.expires_at,
       is_active: event.is_active,
       is_expired: !event.is_active || new Date(event.expires_at) < new Date(),
-      requires_password: true,
+      requires_password: requiresPassword,
       color_theme: event.color_theme,
-      allow_downloads: event.allow_downloads !== false,
-      disable_right_click: event.disable_right_click === true,
-      watermark_downloads: event.watermark_downloads === true,
+      allow_downloads: !(event.allow_downloads === false || event.allow_downloads === 0 || event.allow_downloads === '0'),
+      disable_right_click: event.disable_right_click === true || event.disable_right_click === 1 || event.disable_right_click === '1',
+      watermark_downloads: event.watermark_downloads === true || event.watermark_downloads === 1 || event.watermark_downloads === '1',
       watermark_text: event.watermark_text
     });
   } catch (error) {

backend/src/services/emailProcessor.js

@@ -132,6 +132,12 @@ async function processTemplate(template, variables, language = 'en') {
       ? '(Aus Sicherheitsgründen nicht angezeigt)' 
       : '(Not shown for security reasons)';
   }
+
+  if (processedVariables.gallery_password === 'No password required') {
+    processedVariables.gallery_password = language === 'de'
+      ? 'Kein Passwort erforderlich'
+      : 'No password required';
+  }
   
   // Format dates if they exist
   if (processedVariables.event_date) {
@@ -546,4 +552,4 @@ module.exports = {
   queueEmail,
   stopEmailQueueProcessor,
   testEmailConnection
-};
+};