From 4a4874ae2fa03becc31f944630bf41837b9cce1e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: clawbot <35+clawbot@noreply.example.org>
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2026 05:48:50 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] servewaf always answers rproxy well within its time limit
 (closes #182)

A question waits on GeoJS at most 800ms, the new default of
SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT. In enforce mode it does not wait at all when it is
over the header limits, on a fetched blocklist with deny, on the CrowdSec
decision list, or over a whole rate limit. Not waiting never lowers a
client's limit. Just before the Core Rule Set, servewaf refuses more than
50 cookies or 100 header fields with 431.

Shared default changed: SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT also applies to smallwebwaf
with no command.
Judgement call: SWWAF_REPUTATION_TIMEOUT stays 2s, since no request waits
on the DNS blocklists or AbuseIPDB.

Model: opus-5-5
---
 SPEC.md                              |  70 +++-
 docs/metrics.md                      |   3 +-
 docs/request-log.md                  |   3 +-
 docs/settings.md                     |  13 +-
 internal/config/config.go            |   2 +-
 internal/config/config_test.go       |   6 +-
 internal/lookup/lookup.go            |  16 +-
 internal/lookup/lookup_test.go       |  37 +-
 internal/proxy/answertime_test.go    | 600 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 internal/proxy/biased.go             |  16 +-
 internal/proxy/biased_test.go        |   2 +-
 internal/proxy/countries_test.go     |   6 +-
 internal/proxy/lookup.go             |  22 +-
 internal/proxy/lookup_test.go        |   6 +-
 internal/proxy/metrics_test.go       |   4 +-
 internal/proxy/proxy_test.go         |   3 +
 internal/proxy/request.go            |  44 +-
 internal/proxy/servewaf.go           |  63 +++
 internal/proxy/servewaf_test.go      |   2 +-
 internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go      |  24 ++
 internal/ratelimit/ratelimit_test.go |  44 ++
 internal/requestlog/requestlog.go    |   6 +-
 22 files changed, 937 insertions(+), 55 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 internal/proxy/answertime_test.go

diff --git a/SPEC.md b/SPEC.md
index 03b382a..6843758 100644
--- a/SPEC.md
+++ b/SPEC.md
@@ -1102,8 +1102,9 @@ metrics.
 
 ### The answer
 
-`servewaf` runs steps 3 to 12 of "What happens to a request", in that order.
-Every answer but the last below carries `X-Smallwebwaf-Disposition`.
+`servewaf` runs steps 3 to 12 of "What happens to a request", in that order,
+with the header limits just before step 12 (see "Answering in time"). Every
+answer but the last below carries `X-Smallwebwaf-Disposition`.
 
 - `X-Smallwebwaf-Disposition: allow`, status `200`, no body. `rproxy` passes the
   request to the app. With `SWWAF_ADD_LOOKUP_HEADERS` the answer also carries
@@ -1114,6 +1115,7 @@ Every answer but the last below carries `X-Smallwebwaf-Disposition`.
   status is one of:
     - `SWWAF_BAN_RESPONSE`, for a refusal;
     - `403`, for a `block` rule or the Core Rule Set;
+    - `431`, for a request over the header limits;
     - `404`, for a path under `/_smallwebwaf/` that passes the checks, so that
       the app never sees that prefix.
 - `X-Smallwebwaf-Disposition: close`, status `200`, no body. This takes the
@@ -1131,6 +1133,70 @@ The Core Rule Set inspects the body a question carries only while
 does not inspect a JSON or XML body of 64 KiB or more, which may have been cut
 short.
 
+### Answering in time
+
+`rproxy` stops waiting for `servewaf` after `SWRP_TIMEOUT_MS`, by default 2
+seconds, and `SWRP_DEFAULT_DISPOSITION` then decides. So at the defaults,
+`servewaf` answers a request well within that time, whatever the request and
+whatever its outside sources do.
+
+GeoJS is the only outside source a question can wait on. A question waits only
+when step 5 says so, and for at most `SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT`, by default 800
+milliseconds. A client without an answer by then counts as unknown. No question
+waits on these, which run in the background:
+
+- the DNS blocklists and AbuseIPDB;
+- fetching the blocklists, the CrowdSec decision list and the file
+  `SWWAF_ASN_LIMIT_PERCENT_URL` names.
+
+In `enforce` mode, a question does not wait for GeoJS when it is a request:
+
+- over the header limits;
+- from a client on a fetched blocklist, while `SWWAF_BLOCKLIST_ACTION` is
+  `deny`;
+- from a client on the CrowdSec decision list;
+- that would take its client over a rate limit at 100% of it, since a percentage
+  can only lower a limit.
+
+Such a request still goes through the steps in their order. Its client's AS
+number and country stay unknown until GeoJS has answered. So while
+`SWWAF_EXCLUSIVELY_ALLOWED_COUNTRIES` is set, that list can refuse it first.
+`SWWAF_UNKNOWN_LIMIT_PERCENT` does not apply to it until then, so not waiting
+never lowers its limit.
+
+The static lists and bans come before the lookup, so they never wait. These can
+still wait for GeoJS:
+
+- a country list, which needs the answer;
+- a rate limit a percentage has lowered, which needs the answer;
+- a DNS blocklist or AbuseIPDB, while `SWWAF_REPUTATION_ACTION` is `deny`;
+- a trap path;
+- a rule file;
+- the Core Rule Set.
+
+The header limits are fixed, with no setting. `servewaf` refuses a request over
+either one:
+
+- more than 50 cookies. Each part of its `Cookie` headers between semicolons
+  counts as one, unless it is empty or only spaces and tabs.
+- more than 100 header fields. A header sent twice counts twice. `Host` and
+  `Transfer-Encoding` do not count. `X-Request-ID` and `X-Forwarded-Proto` do.
+
+Real clients never reach these limits. The answer is `deny` with `431`, and the
+log line's action is `too_large`. The refusal makes no ban and is no offence.
+The rate limits count the request as usual, so a client that keeps sending such
+requests breaks a limit.
+
+The limits apply on every path and in every `SWWAF_WAF_MODE`. A client in
+`SWWAF_ALLOW_NETS` skips them, as it skips the Core Rule Set. In `observe` mode
+such a request is answered `allow` with `would_action`, and the Core Rule Set
+does not read it.
+
+The Core Rule Set runs each of its rules on each cookie, so thousands of small
+cookies would keep it busy for over a second. Within the limits, one long cookie
+or query string can still keep it busy for a fraction of a second. So enough
+such requests at once can overload `servewaf` past `SWRP_TIMEOUT_MS`.
+
 ### The report
 
 Once the visitor's answer has ended, `rproxy` sends `POST /_smallwebwaf/report`
diff --git a/docs/metrics.md b/docs/metrics.md
index 3bb111a..e2bff8c 100644
--- a/docs/metrics.md
+++ b/docs/metrics.md
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ label as `exported_instance` unless the scrape sets `honor_labels: true`.
 
 - `smallwebwaf_rate_limit_hits_total`, by `window` and by `kind` (`requests`,
   `bytes` or `refusals`);
-- `smallwebwaf_size_and_time_limit_hits_total`, by `limit`, the setting passed;
+- `smallwebwaf_size_and_time_limit_hits_total`, by `limit`, the setting passed.
+  `servewaf`'s header limits have no setting, so it leaves them out;
 - `smallwebwaf_offences_total`, by `kind`;
 - `smallwebwaf_bans_made_total`, by `cause`;
 - `smallwebwaf_active_bans` and `smallwebwaf_permanent_bans`.
diff --git a/docs/request-log.md b/docs/request-log.md
index 1d584db..1689319 100644
--- a/docs/request-log.md
+++ b/docs/request-log.md
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ Every line has:
       CrowdSec decision, each of which bans the client;
     - `country_denied`, `rate_limited`, `rule_blocked` and `waf_blocked`:
       refused by that check;
-    - `too_large` and `timed_out`: a size or time limit was passed;
+    - `too_large`: a size limit was passed, or a header limit in `servewaf`;
+    - `timed_out`: a time limit was passed;
     - `upstream_error`: the app could not be reached, or its answer broke off;
     - `admin`: answered at one of `smallwebwaf`'s own endpoints.
 - `would_action`: in `observe` mode, what `enforce` mode would have done with a
diff --git a/docs/settings.md b/docs/settings.md
index a59e4df..9c39e58 100644
--- a/docs/settings.md
+++ b/docs/settings.md
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ that take `off`, the `_FILE` form, and what each group does and why.
     - an anomaly threshold per AS number.
 - `SWWAF_LOOKUP_DB_PATH` (default empty): the IPinfo Lite database file, in its
   `.mmdb` form, for `SWWAF_LOOKUP_SOURCE=file`.
-- `SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT` (default `1s`): how long a request waits for its
+- `SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT` (default `800ms`): how long a request waits for its
   client's first answer from GeoJS, and how long a request to GeoJS may take. A
   duration; never `off`.
 - `SWWAF_ADD_LOOKUP_HEADERS` (default `false`): `true` passes the app the
@@ -340,7 +340,10 @@ A few limits are fixed rather than settings:
 - at most 1,000 DNS blocklist queries are under way at once;
 - at most 20,000 anomaly counters are kept;
 - each alert destination's queue holds at most 1,000 alerts;
-- `servewaf` holds at most 10,000 answered requests awaiting their reports.
+- `servewaf` holds at most 10,000 answered requests awaiting their reports;
+- `servewaf` refuses a request with more than 50 cookies or more than 100 header
+  fields (see "Answering in time" under "`servewaf`" in
+  [`SPEC.md`](../SPEC.md)).
 
 ## `servewaf`
 
@@ -358,3 +361,9 @@ at start still shows them.
 request to an app. `SWWAF_WAF_BODY_LIMIT` has an effect up to 64 KiB less one
 byte, whatever its value. A question carries no more of a body than 64 KiB (see
 "`servewaf`" in [`SPEC.md`](../SPEC.md)).
+
+`SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT` is the longest a question waits on an outside source.
+Keep it well under `rproxy`'s `SWRP_TIMEOUT_MS`, as the default is. No question
+waits for `SWWAF_REPUTATION_TIMEOUT`, since the DNS blocklists and AbuseIPDB are
+asked in the background (see "Answering in time" under "`servewaf`" in
+[`SPEC.md`](../SPEC.md)).
diff --git a/internal/config/config.go b/internal/config/config.go
index 5f01c82..914e3de 100644
--- a/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/internal/config/config.go
@@ -516,7 +516,7 @@ func FromEnvironment(lookupEnv func(string) (string, bool)) (*Config, error) {
 		BytesCount:              env.bytesCount("SWWAF_BYTES_COUNT", "both"),
 		LookupSource:            env.lookupSource("SWWAF_LOOKUP_SOURCE", "geojs"),
 		LookupDBPath:            env.value("SWWAF_LOOKUP_DB_PATH", ""),
-		LookupTimeout:           env.durationNotOff("SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT", "1s"),
+		LookupTimeout:           env.durationNotOff("SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT", "800ms"),
 		AddLookupHeaders:        env.boolean("SWWAF_ADD_LOOKUP_HEADERS", "false"),
 		DeniedCountries:         env.countries("SWWAF_DENIED_COUNTRIES", ""),
 		ExclusivelyAllowedCountries: env.countries(
diff --git a/internal/config/config_test.go b/internal/config/config_test.go
index 032a3e0..67c3f33 100644
--- a/internal/config/config_test.go
+++ b/internal/config/config_test.go
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ func TestDefaults(t *testing.T) {
 		RulesEnabled:                true,
 	})
 	wantLookupSettings(t, cfg, config.Config{
-		LookupSource: defaultLookupSource, LookupTimeout: time.Second,
+		LookupSource: defaultLookupSource, LookupTimeout: 800 * time.Millisecond,
 	})
 	wantByteLimitSettings(t, cfg, config.Config{
 		BytesLimitPerMinute: 4 << 30, BytesLimitPerHour: 20 << 30,
@@ -1165,7 +1165,7 @@ func TestLookupSettingsAsSet(t *testing.T) {
 
 	cfg = fromEnvironment(t, environment{lookupSource: off})
 	wantLookupSettings(t, cfg, config.Config{
-		LookupSource: off, LookupTimeout: time.Second,
+		LookupSource: off, LookupTimeout: 800 * time.Millisecond,
 	})
 }
 
@@ -2385,7 +2385,7 @@ func TestLogsEachSettingWithItsValue(t *testing.T) {
 		bytesCount:              "both",
 		lookupSource:            defaultLookupSource,
 		lookupDBPath:            "",
-		lookupTimeout:           "1s",
+		lookupTimeout:           "800ms",
 		addLookupHeaders:        "false",
 		deniedCountries:         "",
 		allowedCountries:        "",
diff --git a/internal/lookup/lookup.go b/internal/lookup/lookup.go
index cdd86cb..c483529 100644
--- a/internal/lookup/lookup.go
+++ b/internal/lookup/lookup.go
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ func New(params Params) *GeoJS {
 // own address for IPv4, and an address in the same place for an IPv6
 // netblock.
 func (g *GeoJS) LookUp(ctx context.Context, client netip.Prefix) Answer {
-	answer, asked := g.answerOrWait(ctx, client)
+	answer, asked := g.answerOrWait(ctx, client, g.wait)
 	if asked == nil {
 		return answer
 	}
@@ -209,6 +209,14 @@ func (g *GeoJS) LookUp(ctx context.Context, client netip.Prefix) Answer {
 	return answer
 }
 
+// LookUpWithoutWaiting is LookUp for a request that does not need the answer,
+// whatever Wait says: it returns the zero Answer at once when none is kept.
+func (g *GeoJS) LookUpWithoutWaiting(ctx context.Context, client netip.Prefix) Answer {
+	answer, _ := g.answerOrWait(ctx, client, false)
+
+	return answer
+}
+
 // Kept returns client's answer, if one is kept, without asking GeoJS.
 func (g *GeoJS) Kept(client netip.Prefix) (Answer, bool) {
 	g.mu.Lock()
@@ -263,9 +271,9 @@ func (g *GeoJS) Load(answers []Answer) {
 // answerOrWait returns client's kept answer if it has one. Otherwise it
 // puts the client among those waiting if there is room, has GeoJS asked
 // about them if it can be, and returns what to wait on for the answer, or
-// nil when there is nothing to wait for.
+// nil when there is nothing to wait for or mustWait is false.
 func (g *GeoJS) answerOrWait(
-	ctx context.Context, client netip.Prefix,
+	ctx context.Context, client netip.Prefix, mustWait bool,
 ) (Answer, <-chan struct{}) {
 	g.mu.Lock()
 	defer g.mu.Unlock()
@@ -283,7 +291,7 @@ func (g *GeoJS) answerOrWait(
 
 	g.ask(ctx)
 
-	if !g.wait {
+	if !mustWait {
 		return Answer{}, nil // the answer is not needed before the request goes on
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/lookup/lookup_test.go b/internal/lookup/lookup_test.go
index e62d5a1..32d3497 100644
--- a/internal/lookup/lookup_test.go
+++ b/internal/lookup/lookup_test.go
@@ -72,6 +72,39 @@ func TestKeptAnswerIsUsedFor7DaysThenAskedAgain(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
+func TestLookUpWithoutWaitingAsksGeoJSAndGoesOnAtOnce(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
+		geojs, clock, g := start()
+		client := netip.MustParsePrefix("203.0.113.9/32")
+
+		// Wait is set, and GeoJS does not answer.
+		geojs.set(hanging)
+
+		began := time.Now()
+		answer := g.LookUpWithoutWaiting(t.Context(), client)
+
+		if waited := time.Since(began); waited != 0 || answer != (lookup.Answer{}) {
+			t.Errorf("got %+v after %s, want no answer at once", answer, waited)
+		}
+
+		waitForRequests(t, geojs, 1)
+		wantAsked(t, geojs, 0, "203.0.113.9")
+
+		// That request is abandoned, and has failed once this returns. GeoJS
+		// answers when it is asked again, and the answer is kept.
+		time.Sleep(timeout)
+		synctest.Wait()
+		geojs.set(answering)
+		waitForCountry(t, g, clock, client, germany)
+
+		if got := g.LookUpWithoutWaiting(t.Context(), client).Country; got != germany {
+			t.Errorf("the kept answer gives the country %q, want %q", got, germany)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
 func TestNewClientWaitsAtMostOneSecondThenCountsAsNotFound(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
@@ -123,8 +156,8 @@ func TestRequestWaitsAsLongAsTheTimeoutSaysAndGeoJSIsAbandonedAfterIt(t *testing
 	t.Parallel()
 
 	synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
-		// A timeout longer than the default second, and a GeoJS that does
-		// not answer.
+		// A timeout longer than the default, and a GeoJS that does not
+		// answer.
 		const longerTimeout = 3 * time.Second
 
 		m := metrics.New(1, "app")
diff --git a/internal/proxy/answertime_test.go b/internal/proxy/answertime_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8520eae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/proxy/answertime_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,600 @@
+package proxy_test
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"maps"
+	"net"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"net/netip"
+	"slices"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"testing/synctest"
+	"time"
+
+	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/bans"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/lookup"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/proxy"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/ratelimit"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/reputation"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/requestlog"
+)
+
+const (
+	// answerTimeLimit is the default of rproxy's SWRP_TIMEOUT_MS, the time
+	// servewaf has to answer.
+	answerTimeLimit = 2 * time.Second
+	// defaultLookupWait is the default of SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT.
+	defaultLookupWait = 800 * time.Millisecond
+	// The header limits SPEC.md gives.
+	cookieLimit      = 50
+	headerFieldLimit = 100
+	// cookieHeader is the header the cookie limit counts.
+	cookieHeader = "Cookie"
+	// tooLarge is how servewaf refuses a request over the header limits.
+	tooLarge = http.StatusRequestHeaderFieldsTooLarge
+	// silentAbuseIPDBURL is where AbuseIPDB never answers: at the stand-in
+	// that unansweredGeoJSURL names too.
+	silentAbuseIPDBURL = "unanswered://abuseipdb/api/v2/check"
+	// wholeLimit is the percentage of a rate limit that lowers it not at all.
+	wholeLimit = 100
+	// clientsDecision is the CrowdSec decision list holding client alone.
+	clientsDecision = `[{"duration": "4h0m0s", "scenario": "crowdsecurity/ssh-bf", ` +
+		`"scope": "Ip", "type": "ban", "value": "` + client + `"}]`
+)
+
+// cookies returns a Cookie header's value with count cookies.
+func cookies(count int) string {
+	parts := make([]string, 0, count)
+	for i := range count {
+		parts = append(parts, "c"+strconv.Itoa(i)+"=1")
+	}
+
+	return strings.Join(parts, "; ")
+}
+
+// fillHeaders adds headers to a question until the checks see total header
+// fields: all but ClientHeader and PeerHeader, which servewaf removes. Go's
+// client sends nothing else but Host, which the limit does not count, once
+// User-Agent is set.
+func fillHeaders(req *http.Request, total int) {
+	req.Header.Set("User-Agent", "test")
+
+	for i := len(req.Header) - 2; i < total; i++ {
+		req.Header.Set("X-Filler-"+strconv.Itoa(i), "1")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSixteenThousandCookiesAreRefusedWellWithinTheTimeLimit(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	s := startServeWAF(t, "", map[string]string{wafMode: block})
+	req := s.question(siteA, client, "/")
+	req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, strings.Repeat("a;", 16000))
+
+	began := time.Now()
+	got := do(t, req)
+
+	if took := time.Since(began); took >= answerTimeLimit/2 {
+		t.Errorf("answered after %s, want well within %s", took, answerTimeLimit)
+	}
+
+	wantDisposition(t, got, tooLarge, proxy.DispositionDeny)
+
+	line := s.out.requestLine(t)
+	wantLine(t, line, tooLarge, requestlog.ActionTooLarge)
+
+	if line.DurationWAF != nil {
+		t.Errorf("the Core Rule Set read the request, for %f ms", *line.DurationWAF)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEachHeaderLimitRefusesARequestOverIt(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	repeated := make([]string, headerFieldLimit)
+	for i := range repeated {
+		repeated[i] = "1"
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name string
+		make func(*http.Request)
+		// refused is true for a request over a limit, and false for one at it.
+		refused bool
+	}{
+		{"cookies at the limit", func(req *http.Request) {
+			req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit))
+		}, false},
+		{"cookies over the limit", func(req *http.Request) {
+			req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit+1))
+		}, true},
+		{"parts empty or only spaces and tabs are no cookies", func(req *http.Request) {
+			req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit)+"; \t;;")
+		}, false},
+		{"parts of no-break spaces count", func(req *http.Request) {
+			req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, strings.Repeat(" ;", cookieLimit+1))
+		}, true},
+		{"cookies over the limit across two headers", func(req *http.Request) {
+			req.Header[cookieHeader] = []string{cookies(cookieLimit), "last=1"}
+		}, true},
+		{"cookies without a value count", func(req *http.Request) {
+			req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, strings.Repeat("a;", cookieLimit+1))
+		}, true},
+		{"header fields at the limit", func(req *http.Request) {
+			fillHeaders(req, headerFieldLimit)
+		}, false},
+		{"header fields over the limit", func(req *http.Request) {
+			fillHeaders(req, headerFieldLimit+1)
+		}, true},
+		{"a header sent many times counts each time", func(req *http.Request) {
+			req.Header["X-Filler"] = repeated
+		}, true},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Parallel()
+
+			s := startServeWAF(t, "", map[string]string{wafMode: block})
+			req := s.question(siteA, client, "/")
+			tc.make(req)
+
+			got := do(t, req)
+			line := s.out.requestLine(t)
+
+			if tc.refused {
+				wantDisposition(t, got, tooLarge, proxy.DispositionDeny)
+				wantLine(t, line, tooLarge, requestlog.ActionTooLarge)
+
+				return
+			}
+
+			wantDisposition(t, got, http.StatusOK, proxy.DispositionAllow)
+			wantLine(t, line, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
+
+			if line.DurationWAF == nil {
+				t.Error("the Core Rule Set did not read a request within the limits")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHeaderLimitsHoldWhateverTheCoreRuleSetSettingsSay(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	for _, env := range []map[string]string{
+		{wafMode: off},
+		{wafMode: "detect"},
+		{wafMode: block, "SWWAF_WAF_EXEMPT_PATHS": "/"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(fmt.Sprint(env), func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Parallel()
+
+			s := startServeWAF(t, "", env)
+			req := s.question(siteA, client, "/")
+			req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit+1))
+
+			wantDisposition(t, do(t, req), tooLarge, proxy.DispositionDeny)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClientInTheAllowNetsSkipsTheHeaderLimits(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	s := startServeWAF(t, "", map[string]string{wafMode: block, allowNets: client})
+	req := s.question(siteA, client, "/")
+	req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit+1))
+
+	wantDisposition(t, do(t, req), http.StatusOK, proxy.DispositionAllow)
+}
+
+func TestObserveModeAllowsARequestOverTheHeaderLimitsUnread(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	s := startServeWAF(t, "", map[string]string{mode: observe, wafMode: block})
+	req := s.question(siteA, client, "/")
+	req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, strings.Repeat("a;", 16000))
+
+	began := time.Now()
+	got := do(t, req)
+
+	if took := time.Since(began); took >= answerTimeLimit/2 {
+		t.Errorf("answered after %s, want well within %s", took, answerTimeLimit)
+	}
+
+	wantDisposition(t, got, http.StatusOK, proxy.DispositionAllow)
+
+	line := s.out.requestLine(t)
+	if line.WouldAction != requestlog.ActionTooLarge || line.DurationWAF != nil {
+		t.Errorf("would_action %q and duration_waf %v, want %q and none",
+			line.WouldAction, line.DurationWAF, requestlog.ActionTooLarge)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRequestsOverTheHeaderLimitsCountTowardTheRateLimits(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	s := startServeWAF(t, "", map[string]string{rateLimitPerMinute: "1"})
+	ask := func() answer {
+		req := s.question(siteA, client, "/")
+		req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit+1))
+
+		return do(t, req)
+	}
+
+	wantDisposition(t, ask(), tooLarge, proxy.DispositionDeny)
+	wantDisposition(t, ask(), http.StatusForbidden, proxy.DispositionDeny)
+
+	lines := s.out.requestLines(t, 2)
+	wantLine(t, lines[1], http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+}
+
+func TestTheHeaderLimitsComeAfterTheTrapPathsAndTheRuleFiles(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name, path, action string
+	}{
+		{"a trap path", "/wp-login.php", requestlog.ActionBanned},
+		{"a block rule", "/blocked", requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Parallel()
+
+			s := startServeWAF(t, "", map[string]string{
+				trapPaths: trapPathList, rulesDir: writeRules(t, testRules),
+			})
+			req := s.question(siteA, client, tc.path)
+			req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit+1))
+
+			wantDisposition(t, do(t, req), http.StatusForbidden, proxy.DispositionDeny)
+			wantLine(t, s.out.requestLine(t), http.StatusForbidden, tc.action)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotWaitingForGeoJSNeverLowersAClientsLimit(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	geojsURL, _ := startGeoJS(t)
+	s := startServeWAF(t, geojsURL, map[string]string{
+		unknownLimitPercent: "0", lookupTimeout: "1h",
+	})
+	req := s.question(siteA, fromDE, "/")
+	req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit+1))
+
+	wantDisposition(t, do(t, req), tooLarge, proxy.DispositionDeny)
+
+	line := s.out.requestLine(t)
+	wantLine(t, line, tooLarge, requestlog.ActionTooLarge)
+
+	if line.LimitPercent != nil {
+		t.Errorf("limit percentage %d, want none", *line.LimitPercent)
+	}
+
+	// The client is under no ban, and GeoJS places it in a country.
+	wantDisposition(t, s.ask(fromDE, "/"), http.StatusOK, proxy.DispositionAllow)
+}
+
+func TestAClientGeoJSPlacedInNoCountryCountsAsUnknownWithoutWaiting(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	geojsURL, _ := startGeoJS(t)
+	s := startServeWAF(t, geojsURL, map[string]string{unknownLimitPercent: "0"})
+	s.server.GeoJS.Load([]lookup.Answer{{
+		Client: netip.MustParsePrefix(client + "/32"), ASN: "AS64512",
+		Answered: s.clock.Now(), Used: s.clock.Now(),
+	}})
+
+	req := s.question(siteA, client, "/")
+	req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit+1))
+
+	wantDisposition(t, do(t, req), http.StatusForbidden, proxy.DispositionDeny)
+	wantLine(t, s.out.requestLine(t), http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+}
+
+func TestObserveModeWaitsForGeoJSForARequestOverTheHeaderLimits(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	geojsURL, _ := startGeoJS(t)
+	s := startServeWAF(t, geojsURL, map[string]string{
+		mode: observe, addLookupHeaders: on, lookupTimeout: "1h",
+	})
+	req := s.question(siteA, fromDE, "/")
+	req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit+1))
+
+	got := do(t, req)
+	wantDisposition(t, got, http.StatusOK, proxy.DispositionAllow)
+
+	asn, country := got.header.Get("X-Client-Asn"), got.header.Get("X-Client-Country")
+	if asn != asnDE || country != "DE" {
+		t.Errorf("answered with the AS number %q and the country %q, want %q and DE",
+			asn, country, asnDE)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWithoutACommandTheHeaderLimitsDoNotApply(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	app := startApp(t, func(http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request) {})
+	addr, out := startProxy(t, app.URL, nil)
+
+	req := newRequest(t, http.MethodGet, addr, "/", http.NoBody)
+	req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit+1))
+	fillHeaders(req, headerFieldLimit+1)
+
+	wantStatus(t, do(t, req), http.StatusOK)
+	wantLine(t, out.requestLine(t), http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
+}
+
+// newServeWAFInBubble makes a servewaf for a synctest bubble: GeoJS never
+// answers, a setting needs its answer, and everything is at its default but
+// for env. No request to it may use the network.
+func newServeWAFInBubble(t *testing.T, env map[string]string) (*proxy.Server, *output) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	settings := map[string]string{deniedCountries: "KP"}
+	maps.Copy(settings, env)
+
+	server, out, _ := newServerWith(t, proxy.NewServeWAF, "http://app.invalid",
+		unansweredGeoJSURL, time.Now, settings)
+
+	return server, out
+}
+
+// askDirectly hands a question about a request from client straight to server,
+// as change leaves it, and returns the answer's status and how long it took.
+func askDirectly(
+	t *testing.T, server *proxy.Server, change func(*http.Request),
+) (int, time.Duration) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequestWithContext(t.Context(), http.MethodGet, "/", http.NoBody)
+	req.RemoteAddr = net.JoinHostPort(rproxyPeer, "1234")
+	req.Header.Set(proxy.ClientHeader, client)
+	req.Header.Set(requestIDHeader, "the-id")
+	change(req)
+
+	recorder := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	began := time.Now()
+
+	server.Handler.ServeHTTP(recorder, req)
+
+	return recorder.Code, time.Since(began)
+}
+
+// banClient bans client at now.
+func banClient(_ *testing.T, server *proxy.Server, now time.Time) {
+	server.Ledger.BanForLimit(netip.MustParsePrefix(client+"/32"), now, bans.Notes{})
+}
+
+// countClient counts one request from client at now for the rate limits.
+func countClient(_ *testing.T, server *proxy.Server, now time.Time) {
+	server.Limiter.Count(netip.MustParsePrefix(client+"/32"), now, wholeLimit)
+}
+
+// listClient puts client on the blocklist at dropURL.
+func listClient(t *testing.T, server *proxy.Server, now time.Time) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	err := server.Lists.Load([]reputation.List{{
+		URL: dropURL, Tried: now, Fetched: now, Lines: []string{client},
+	}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load the blocklist: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// decideOnClient puts client on the CrowdSec decision list.
+func decideOnClient(t *testing.T, server *proxy.Server, now time.Time) {
+	t.Helper()
+	loadDecisions(t, server, now, clientsDecision)
+}
+
+// leaveAsItIs prepares nothing.
+func leaveAsItIs(*testing.T, *proxy.Server, time.Time) {}
+
+func TestARefusedRequestDoesNotWaitForASlowGeoJS(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	const forbidden = http.StatusForbidden
+
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name string
+		env  map[string]string
+		// prepare gets the server ready, at now, before the question.
+		prepare func(t *testing.T, server *proxy.Server, now time.Time)
+		// cookie is the request's Cookie header.
+		cookie string
+		status int
+		action string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "SWWAF_DENY_NETS", env: map[string]string{denyNets: client},
+			prepare: leaveAsItIs, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionDenied,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "a ban",
+			prepare: banClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionBanned,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "the rate limits", env: map[string]string{rateLimitPerMinute: "1"},
+			prepare: countClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionRateLimited,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "the rate limits, with a biased threshold",
+			env:     map[string]string{rateLimitPerMinute: "1", unknownLimitPercent: "50"},
+			prepare: countClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionRateLimited,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "a blocklist", env: map[string]string{blocklistURLs: dropURL},
+			prepare: listClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionDenied,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "the CrowdSec decision list",
+			env:     map[string]string{crowdSecURL: lapi, crowdSecKey: bouncerKey},
+			prepare: decideOnClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionBanned,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "the header limits", cookie: cookies(cookieLimit + 1),
+			prepare: leaveAsItIs, status: tooLarge, action: requestlog.ActionTooLarge,
+		},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Parallel()
+
+			// In a synctest bubble, as TestRequestWaitsAsLongAsTheLookupTimeoutSays
+			// says, so that a request that does not wait takes no time at all.
+			synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
+				server, out := newServeWAFInBubble(t, tc.env)
+				tc.prepare(t, server, time.Now())
+
+				status, took := askDirectly(t, server, func(req *http.Request) {
+					req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, tc.cookie)
+				})
+
+				if status != tc.status || took != 0 {
+					t.Errorf("answered %d after %s, want %d at once; output:\n%s",
+						status, took, tc.status, out.text())
+				}
+
+				wantLine(t, out.requestLine(t), tc.status, tc.action)
+
+				// GeoJS's request is abandoned before the bubble ends.
+				time.Sleep(defaultLookupWait)
+			})
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAQuestionWaitsForASlowGeoJSOnlyAsLongAsTheDefaultSays(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name string
+		env  map[string]string
+		// prepare gets the server ready, at now, before the question.
+		prepare func(t *testing.T, server *proxy.Server, now time.Time)
+		status  int
+		action  string
+	}{
+		{"nothing refuses it", nil, leaveAsItIs, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
+		{
+			"a country list needs the answer", map[string]string{allowedCountries: "DE"},
+			leaveAsItIs, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionCountryDenied,
+		},
+		{
+			"a blocklist that only logs",
+			map[string]string{blocklistURLs: dropURL, blocklistAction: actionLog},
+			listClient, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward,
+		},
+		{
+			"a blocklist that only limits",
+			map[string]string{blocklistURLs: dropURL, blocklistAction: limitQuarter},
+			listClient, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward,
+		},
+		{
+			"over a rate limit on an exempt path",
+			map[string]string{rateLimitPerMinute: "1", rateLimitExemptPaths: "/"},
+			countClient, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward,
+		},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Parallel()
+
+			synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
+				server, out := newServeWAFInBubble(t, tc.env)
+				tc.prepare(t, server, time.Now())
+
+				status, took := askDirectly(t, server, func(*http.Request) {})
+
+				if status != tc.status || took != defaultLookupWait {
+					t.Errorf("answered %d after %s, want %d after %s; output:\n%s",
+						status, took, tc.status, defaultLookupWait, out.text())
+				}
+
+				wantLine(t, out.requestLine(t), tc.status, tc.action)
+			})
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWithoutACommandARefusedRequestStillWaitsForGeoJS(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
+		server, out, _ := newProxy(t, "http://app.invalid", unansweredGeoJSURL,
+			time.Now, map[string]string{deniedCountries: "KP", blocklistURLs: dropURL})
+		listClient(t, server, time.Now())
+
+		status, took := askDirectly(t, server, func(req *http.Request) {
+			req.RemoteAddr = net.JoinHostPort(client, "1234")
+		})
+
+		if status != http.StatusForbidden || took != defaultLookupWait {
+			t.Errorf("answered %d after %s, want %d after %s; output:\n%s",
+				status, took, http.StatusForbidden, defaultLookupWait, out.text())
+		}
+
+		wantLine(t, out.requestLine(t), http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServeWAFAnswersWithinTheTimeLimitWhileEveryOutsideSourceHangs(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	held, askedGeoJS, _ := startHeldGeoJS(t)
+
+	// A resolver that takes every query and answers none.
+	resolver, err := (&net.ListenConfig{}).ListenPacket(t.Context(), "udp", localhost+":0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("listen: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = resolver.Close() })
+
+	server, out, _ := newServerWith(t, func(params proxy.Params) *proxy.Server {
+		params.AbuseIPDBURL = silentAbuseIPDBURL
+
+		return proxy.NewServeWAF(params)
+	}, "http://app.invalid", held, time.Now, map[string]string{
+		deniedCountries: "KP", wafMode: block,
+		dnsblZones: dnsblZone, dnsblResolver: resolver.LocalAddr().String(),
+		abuseIPDBKey:  accountKey,
+		blocklistURLs: held + "/drop.txt", asnLimitPercentURL: held + "/asn.txt",
+		crowdSecURL: held, crowdSecKey: bouncerKey,
+	})
+
+	// AbuseIPDB is asked only about a client with an offence.
+	group := netip.MustParsePrefix(client + "/32")
+	server.Limiter.AddToHistory(group, time.Now(), ratelimit.Request{Attack: true})
+
+	go server.Lists.Run(t.Context())
+
+	status, took := askDirectly(t, server, func(req *http.Request) {
+		req.Header.Set("User-Agent", "test")
+		req.Header.Set("Accept", "*/*")
+		req.Host = siteA
+	})
+
+	if status != http.StatusOK || took >= answerTimeLimit {
+		t.Errorf("answered %d after %s, want %d within %s; output:\n%s",
+			status, took, http.StatusOK, answerTimeLimit, out.text())
+	}
+
+	// Each outside source was asked, and none has answered. The stand-in for
+	// GeoJS is the lists' too, which name no address.
+	if !slices.Contains(askedGeoJS(), client) {
+		t.Errorf("GeoJS was asked about %q, not %s", askedGeoJS(), client)
+	}
+
+	if queries := server.DNSBL.Queries(dnsblZone); queries != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("%d queries to the DNS blocklist, want 1", queries)
+	}
+
+	if checked := server.AbuseIPDB.Checked(); checked != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("%d checks with AbuseIPDB, want 1", checked)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/proxy/biased.go b/internal/proxy/biased.go
index 5370ff0..294cae9 100644
--- a/internal/proxy/biased.go
+++ b/internal/proxy/biased.go
@@ -34,19 +34,19 @@ func biasedThresholdsSet(cfg *config.Config) bool {
 // percentage SWWAF_ASN_LIMIT_PERCENT gives its AS number, the one the file
 // SWWAF_ASN_LIMIT_PERCENT_URL names gives it, the one
 // SWWAF_COUNTRY_LIMIT_PERCENT gives its country, for a client without a
-// country, SWWAF_UNKNOWN_LIMIT_PERCENT, for a client a blocklist lists,
-// the percentage of SWWAF_BLOCKLIST_ACTION while it is limit, and for a
-// client a DNSBL zone's verdict lists, or whose AbuseIPDB score is a hit,
-// the percentage of SWWAF_REPUTATION_ACTION while it is limit. For the
-// byte limits, SWWAF_ASN_BYTES_PERCENT and SWWAF_COUNTRY_BYTES_PERCENT
-// take the place of the first three for an AS number or a country they
-// list.
+// country, unless its request skipped the wait for GeoJS,
+// SWWAF_UNKNOWN_LIMIT_PERCENT, for a client a blocklist lists, the
+// percentage of SWWAF_BLOCKLIST_ACTION while it is limit, and for a client
+// a DNSBL zone's verdict lists, or whose AbuseIPDB score is a hit, the
+// percentage of SWWAF_REPUTATION_ACTION while it is limit. For the byte
+// limits, SWWAF_ASN_BYTES_PERCENT and SWWAF_COUNTRY_BYTES_PERCENT take the
+// place of the first three for an AS number or a country they list.
 func (rq *request) limitPercentages() (percentage, percentage) {
 	cfg := rq.h.config
 	asn, country := rq.line.ASN, rq.line.Country
 
 	unknown := percentage{percent: whole}
-	if country == "" {
+	if country == "" && !rq.skippedLookupWait {
 		unknown = percentage{cfg.UnknownLimitPercent, "SWWAF_UNKNOWN_LIMIT_PERCENT"}
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/proxy/biased_test.go b/internal/proxy/biased_test.go
index 03d4c33..cf1e5ab 100644
--- a/internal/proxy/biased_test.go
+++ b/internal/proxy/biased_test.go
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ func TestClientWithoutAnAnswerInTimeHasTheUnknownLimitPercent(t *testing.T) {
 		server, out, _ := newProxy(t, "http://app.invalid", unansweredGeoJSURL,
 			time.Now, map[string]string{unknownLimitPercent: "0"})
 
-		// Once the second the request waits for its answer is up, the client
+		// Once the time the request waits for its answer is up, the client
 		// counts as without a country, and its zero allowance refuses the
 		// request before it reaches the app.
 		serveFromDE(t, server, http.MethodGet, http.NoBody)
diff --git a/internal/proxy/countries_test.go b/internal/proxy/countries_test.go
index a5e558f..0725070 100644
--- a/internal/proxy/countries_test.go
+++ b/internal/proxy/countries_test.go
@@ -284,9 +284,9 @@ func TestExclusiveListRefusesAPrivateAddressUnlessAllowed(t *testing.T) {
 // each in an AS of its own, and no other address. It returns its URL, and
 // what returns the addresses it has been asked about. A test that needs
 // the stand-in to be asked or to answer sets SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT to an
-// hour, whether or not a request waits for the answer: on the default
-// second, a hold-up of the test process can abandon the request to the
-// stand-in, and leave the client unknown.
+// hour, whether or not a request waits for the answer: on the default, a
+// hold-up of the test process can abandon the request to the stand-in, and
+// leave the client unknown.
 func startGeoJS(t *testing.T) (string, func() []string) {
 	t.Helper()
 
diff --git a/internal/proxy/lookup.go b/internal/proxy/lookup.go
index 33190e4..1bf1fac 100644
--- a/internal/proxy/lookup.go
+++ b/internal/proxy/lookup.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/netip"
+	"time"
 
 	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/lookup"
 )
@@ -23,17 +24,24 @@ const (
 // SWWAF_LOOKUP_SOURCE is off or the client is on a private, loopback or
 // link-local address, which no lookup can place. The lookup database
 // answers at once. With GeoJS, while a setting needs the answer, such as a
-// country list or a biased threshold, a new client's request waits for it.
-// ctx is the request's own context.
-func (rq *request) lookUp(ctx context.Context) {
+// country list or a biased threshold, a new client's request waits for it,
+// unless refusedWhateverTheAnswer reports true. ctx is the request's own
+// context.
+func (rq *request) lookUp(ctx context.Context, now time.Time) {
 	if rq.h.config.LookupSource == "off" || !canBePlaced(rq.client) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	if rq.h.config.LookupSource == "file" {
-		rq.lookupAnswer = rq.h.lookupFile.LookUp(rq.h.clientGroup(rq.client))
-	} else {
-		rq.lookupAnswer = rq.h.geojs.LookUp(ctx, rq.h.clientGroup(rq.client))
+	client := rq.h.clientGroup(rq.client)
+
+	switch {
+	case rq.h.config.LookupSource == "file":
+		rq.lookupAnswer = rq.h.lookupFile.LookUp(client)
+	case rq.h.answersQuestions() && rq.refusedWhateverTheAnswer(now):
+		rq.lookupAnswer = rq.h.geojs.LookUpWithoutWaiting(ctx, client)
+		rq.skippedLookupWait = rq.lookupAnswer.Answered.IsZero()
+	default:
+		rq.lookupAnswer = rq.h.geojs.LookUp(ctx, client)
 	}
 
 	rq.lookedUp = true
diff --git a/internal/proxy/lookup_test.go b/internal/proxy/lookup_test.go
index 695c657..9ea14eb 100644
--- a/internal/proxy/lookup_test.go
+++ b/internal/proxy/lookup_test.go
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ func TestLookupHeadersArePassedToTheAppAndTheClientsOwnRemoved(t *testing.T) {
 	addr, out, _ := startProxyWithClock(t, app.URL, geojsURL, time.Now, map[string]string{
 		trustedProxies:   trustLocalhost,
 		lookupTimeout:    "1h",
-		addLookupHeaders: "true",
+		addLookupHeaders: on,
 	})
 	s := &sender{t: t, addr: addr, out: out}
 
@@ -383,8 +383,8 @@ func TestRequestWaitsAsLongAsTheLookupTimeoutSays(t *testing.T) {
 	// network, which would keep that clock from moving on: the request is
 	// handed to the proxy's handler, and GeoJS is one that never answers.
 	synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
-		// Not the default second. The exclusive list needs the answer, and
-		// the app is never reached.
+		// Not the default. The exclusive list needs the answer, and the app
+		// is never reached.
 		const timeout = 3 * time.Second
 
 		server, out, _ := newProxy(t, "http://app.invalid", unansweredGeoJSURL,
diff --git a/internal/proxy/metrics_test.go b/internal/proxy/metrics_test.go
index 401c102..c4d1634 100644
--- a/internal/proxy/metrics_test.go
+++ b/internal/proxy/metrics_test.go
@@ -424,8 +424,8 @@ func TestMetricsCountGeoJSRequestsAndFailures(t *testing.T) {
 	req.Header.Set(forwardedFor, fromDE)
 	wantStatus(t, do(t, req), http.StatusOK)
 
-	// The client stops waiting for GeoJS after a second, so GeoJS's
-	// failure can come after its request has ended.
+	// The client stops waiting for GeoJS once SWWAF_LOOKUP_TIMEOUT is up, so
+	// GeoJS's failure can come after its request has ended.
 	deadline := time.Now().Add(waitLimit)
 	metrics := scrape(t, addr)
 
diff --git a/internal/proxy/proxy_test.go b/internal/proxy/proxy_test.go
index 6af3e76..0613933 100644
--- a/internal/proxy/proxy_test.go
+++ b/internal/proxy/proxy_test.go
@@ -91,6 +91,9 @@ const (
 // off is the value that switches a setting off.
 const off = "off"
 
+// on is the value that switches a setting that takes true or false on.
+const on = "true"
+
 // output collects what smallwebwaf writes on stdout.
 type output struct {
 	mu  sync.Mutex
diff --git a/internal/proxy/request.go b/internal/proxy/request.go
index 99c38d0..d5721e8 100644
--- a/internal/proxy/request.go
+++ b/internal/proxy/request.go
@@ -58,6 +58,10 @@ type decision struct {
 	// what the lookup gave then, the zero Answer while GeoJS had given none.
 	lookedUp     bool
 	lookupAnswer lookup.Answer
+	// skippedLookupWait is true for a request that did not wait for GeoJS and
+	// found no answer kept. SWWAF_UNKNOWN_LIMIT_PERCENT does not apply to it,
+	// so that not waiting never lowers its client's limits.
+	skippedLookupWait bool
 	// counted is true for a request the rate limits counted, whose bytes
 	// the byte limits count once it has ended. limitPercent and
 	// bytesPercent are then its client's limit percentages for the rate
@@ -222,12 +226,12 @@ func requestHeaders(r *http.Request, names []string) map[string]string {
 // is known, before anything reaches the app, and before its body is read,
 // but for the part the Core Rule Set reads. It returns nil to let the
 // request through. The checks of checkClient come first, answered with
-// SWWAF_BAN_RESPONSE, or 403 for a block rule or the Core Rule Set, and
-// then the size limit, so that a request the rate limits count is counted
-// even when it is refused for its size. In observe mode a request
-// checkClient refuses goes on to the size limit like any other. A size or
-// time limit the Core Rule Set's reading of the body meets ends the
-// request in either mode. ctx is the request's own context.
+// SWWAF_BAN_RESPONSE, 403 for a block rule or the Core Rule Set, or 431 for
+// servewaf's header limits, and then the size limit, so that a request the
+// rate limits count is counted even when it is refused for its size. In
+// observe mode a request checkClient refuses goes on to the size limit like
+// any other. A size or time limit the Core Rule Set's reading of the body
+// meets ends the request in either mode. ctx is the request's own context.
 func (rq *request) check(ctx context.Context) *refusal {
 	action := rq.checkClient(ctx)
 
@@ -243,6 +247,8 @@ func (rq *request) check(ctx context.Context) *refusal {
 		rq.line.WouldAction = action
 	case action == requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked || action == requestlog.ActionWAFBlocked:
 		return &refusal{status: http.StatusForbidden, action: action}
+	case action == requestlog.ActionTooLarge:
+		return &refusal{status: http.StatusRequestHeaderFieldsTooLarge, action: action}
 	default:
 		return rq.banResponse(action)
 	}
@@ -271,9 +277,10 @@ func (rq *request) check(ctx context.Context) *refusal {
 // rate limits, unless the client is in SWWAF_RATE_LIMIT_EXEMPT_NETS or the
 // request's path is exempt under SWWAF_RATE_LIMIT_EXEMPT_PATHS, so that
 // every other request is counted, each of them by the client's limit
-// percentages, then SWWAF_TRAP_PATHS, then the rule files, and last the
-// Core Rule Set. A request exempt from the rate limits is exempt from the
-// byte limits too. ctx is the request's own context.
+// percentages, then SWWAF_TRAP_PATHS, then the rule files, then, in
+// servewaf, the header limits, and last the Core Rule Set. A request exempt
+// from the rate limits is exempt from the byte limits too. ctx is the
+// request's own context.
 func (rq *request) checkClient(ctx context.Context) string {
 	cfg := rq.h.config
 	if isInside(rq.client, cfg.AllowNets) {
@@ -290,7 +297,7 @@ func (rq *request) checkClient(ctx context.Context) string {
 		return requestlog.ActionBanned
 	}
 
-	rq.lookUp(ctx)
+	rq.lookUp(ctx, now)
 
 	// The lookup can wait for GeoJS, so the checks after it read the time
 	// again: a request counted at the time it arrived could be counted
@@ -314,8 +321,7 @@ func (rq *request) checkClient(ctx context.Context) string {
 		return requestlog.ActionDenied
 	}
 
-	rq.counted = !isInside(rq.client, cfg.RateLimitExemptNets) &&
-		!pathExempt(rq.in, cfg.RateLimitExemptPaths)
+	rq.counted = rq.countedByRateLimits()
 	if rq.counted {
 		rq.limitPercent, rq.bytesPercent = rq.limitPercentages()
 		rq.line.LimitPercent, rq.line.LimitPercentSetting = rq.limitPercent.logged()
@@ -335,9 +341,23 @@ func (rq *request) checkClient(ctx context.Context) string {
 		return action
 	}
 
+	if rq.overHeaderLimits() {
+		return requestlog.ActionTooLarge
+	}
+
 	return rq.checkCoreRuleSet()
 }
 
+// countedByRateLimits reports whether the rate limits count the request: its
+// client is not in SWWAF_RATE_LIMIT_EXEMPT_NETS, and its path is not exempt
+// under SWWAF_RATE_LIMIT_EXEMPT_PATHS.
+func (rq *request) countedByRateLimits() bool {
+	cfg := rq.h.config
+
+	return !isInside(rq.client, cfg.RateLimitExemptNets) &&
+		!pathExempt(rq.in, cfg.RateLimitExemptPaths)
+}
+
 // pathExempt reports whether r is exempt under prefixes,
 // SWWAF_RATE_LIMIT_EXEMPT_PATHS or SWWAF_WAF_EXEMPT_PATHS: whether its
 // path as sent, the path the app receives, not percent-decoded, starts
diff --git a/internal/proxy/servewaf.go b/internal/proxy/servewaf.go
index 9fe3923..61d7aa0 100644
--- a/internal/proxy/servewaf.go
+++ b/internal/proxy/servewaf.go
@@ -53,6 +53,13 @@ const ReportPath = "/_smallwebwaf/report"
 // QuestionBodyMaxBytes is the most of a visitor's body a question carries.
 const QuestionBodyMaxBytes = 64 << 10
 
+// The header limits: the most cookies and header fields a request may have
+// when the checks reach the Core Rule Set. Real clients never reach them.
+const (
+	maxCookies      = 50
+	maxHeaderFields = 100
+)
+
 const (
 	// maxAwaitingReport is the most answered requests held until their
 	// reports come. Past it, the request answered longest ago is dropped.
@@ -146,6 +153,62 @@ func (h *handler) serveWAF(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	h.answerOwnEndpoint(w, r)
 }
 
+// answersQuestions reports whether h is servewaf, which alone holds requests
+// for their reports.
+func (h *handler) answersQuestions() bool {
+	return h.awaitingReport != nil
+}
+
+// refusedWhateverTheAnswer reports whether the request is one that does not wait
+// for GeoJS, since the checks will refuse it at now whatever GeoJS answers about
+// its client: it is over the header limits, a blocklist lists its client while
+// SWWAF_BLOCKLIST_ACTION is deny, the CrowdSec decision list lists it, or it is
+// over a whole rate limit. In observe mode, which refuses nothing, none is.
+// rproxy lets a request through when servewaf answers too late.
+func (rq *request) refusedWhateverTheAnswer(now time.Time) bool {
+	if rq.h.config.Observe {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	lists := rq.h.lists
+	_, decided := lists.CrowdSecDecision(rq.client, now)
+
+	return decided || rq.overHeaderLimits() ||
+		(rq.h.config.BlocklistAction == deny && len(lists.ListedBy(rq.client)) > 0) ||
+		(rq.countedByRateLimits() &&
+			rq.h.limiter.OverARateLimit(rq.h.clientGroup(rq.client), now))
+}
+
+// overHeaderLimits reports whether servewaf refuses the request for its
+// headers: it has more than maxHeaderFields fields, each value of a header sent
+// twice being one, or more than maxCookies cookies, each part of a Cookie header
+// between semicolons being one unless it is empty or only spaces and tabs. The
+// Core Rule Set runs each of its rules on each cookie, so that thousands of small
+// cookies keep it busy for over a second. It trims only spaces and control
+// characters, of which a header value can hold only tabs, so a part of Unicode
+// spaces is a cookie to it.
+func (rq *request) overHeaderLimits() bool {
+	if !rq.h.answersQuestions() {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	fields, cookies := 0, 0
+
+	for _, values := range rq.in.Header {
+		fields += len(values)
+	}
+
+	for _, value := range rq.in.Header.Values("Cookie") {
+		for part := range strings.SplitSeq(value, ";") {
+			if strings.Trim(part, " \t") != "" {
+				cookies++
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return fields > maxHeaderFields || cookies > maxCookies
+}
+
 // answerQuestion runs the checks on the visitor's request a question
 // carries, and answers rproxy what to do with it. A denied request's counting
 // is finished here, and an allowed one's by its report.
diff --git a/internal/proxy/servewaf_test.go b/internal/proxy/servewaf_test.go
index b618493..2081dd7 100644
--- a/internal/proxy/servewaf_test.go
+++ b/internal/proxy/servewaf_test.go
@@ -767,7 +767,7 @@ func TestAllowCarriesTheLookupHeadersWhileTheSettingIsSet(t *testing.T) {
 		setting              string
 		wantASN, wantCountry string
 	}{
-		{"true", "AS64496", "DE"},
+		{on, "AS64496", "DE"},
 		{"false", "", ""},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.setting, func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go b/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go
index 2318102..73e35ee 100644
--- a/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go
+++ b/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go
@@ -228,6 +228,30 @@ func (l *Limiter) Count(
 	return l.count(client, now, 1, 0, percent)
 }
 
+// OverARateLimit reports whether one more request from client at now would
+// take it over a whole rate limit. A client's percentage can only lower a
+// limit, so that request is over the limit at any percentage. It counts
+// nothing, and does not make the client the most recently seen.
+func (l *Limiter) OverARateLimit(client netip.Prefix, now time.Time) bool {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+
+	c, seen := l.clients.Peek(client)
+	if !seen {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	buckets := c.buckets()
+
+	for i, w := range l.windows {
+		if w.limit > 0 && buckets[i].Add(now, w.length, 0)+1 > float64(w.limit) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+
+	return false
+}
+
 // CountBytes counts bytes, those of a request from client that has ended,
 // at now, in every window, and returns the client's counts in each window.
 // It reports whether the bytes take the client over a byte limit, of which
diff --git a/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit_test.go b/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit_test.go
index 79f3b59..5791f48 100644
--- a/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit_test.go
+++ b/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit_test.go
@@ -26,6 +26,50 @@ const (
 	hour   = "hour"
 )
 
+func TestOverARateLimitSaysWhatTheNextRequestWouldDoAndCountsNothing(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	client := netip.MustParsePrefix("203.0.113.9/32")
+	now := midnight()
+	limiter := ratelimit.New(ratelimit.Limits{PerMinute: limit, PerDay: limit + 1},
+		tableSize)
+
+	if limiter.OverARateLimit(client, now) {
+		t.Error("a client never seen is over a rate limit")
+	}
+
+	if limiter.Len() != 0 {
+		t.Error("asking about a client never seen added it to the table")
+	}
+
+	for range limit {
+		if limiter.OverARateLimit(client, now) {
+			t.Error("a client with room for another request is over a rate limit")
+		}
+
+		wantCount(t, limiter, client, now, "")
+	}
+
+	if !limiter.OverARateLimit(client, now) {
+		t.Error("a client at its limit is not over a rate limit")
+	}
+
+	held, _ := limiter.Client(client)
+	if held.Minute.Current != limit {
+		t.Errorf("the client's minute holds %d requests, want %d", held.Minute.Current, limit)
+	}
+
+	wantCount(t, limiter, client, now, minute)
+
+	// A limit that is off is never gone over.
+	off := ratelimit.New(ratelimit.Limits{}, tableSize)
+	off.Count(client, now, whole)
+
+	if off.OverARateLimit(client, now) {
+		t.Error("a client is over a rate limit that is off")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestEachWindowRefusesAtItsLimitAndLetsTheClientBack(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
diff --git a/internal/requestlog/requestlog.go b/internal/requestlog/requestlog.go
index c05c0c2..6ddf8e7 100644
--- a/internal/requestlog/requestlog.go
+++ b/internal/requestlog/requestlog.go
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ import (
 const (
 	// ActionForward is a request passed to the app.
 	ActionForward = "forward"
-	// ActionTooLarge is a request or response over its size limit.
+	// ActionTooLarge is a request or response over its size limit, or, in
+	// servewaf, a request over the header limits.
 	ActionTooLarge = "too_large"
 	// ActionTimedOut is a request or response that ran out of time.
 	ActionTimedOut = "timed_out"
@@ -139,7 +140,8 @@ type Line struct {
 	// WouldAction is, in observe mode, the action enforce mode would have
 	// taken with a request it would have refused: ActionDenied,
 	// ActionBanned, ActionCountryDenied, ActionRateLimited,
-	// ActionRuleBlocked or ActionWAFBlocked.
+	// ActionRuleBlocked, ActionWAFBlocked, or, in servewaf, ActionTooLarge
+	// for the header limits.
 	WouldAction string `json:"would_action,omitempty"`
 	// LimitPercent and LimitPercentSetting are, for a request the rate
 	// limits counted whose client a biased threshold gives a percentage of