CSP: frame-ancestors

The HTTP Content-Security-Policy (CSP) frame-ancestors directive specifies valid parents that may embed a page using <frame>, <iframe>, <object>, <embed>, or <applet>.

Setting this directive to 'none' is similar to X-Frame-Options: deny (which is also supported in older browsers).

CSP version 2
Directive type Navigation directive
default-src fallback No. Not setting this allows anything.
This directive is not supported in the <meta> element.

Syntax

One or more sources can be set for the frame-ancestors policy:

Content-Security-Policy: frame-ancestors <source>;
Content-Security-Policy: frame-ancestors <source> <source>;

Sources

<source> can be one of the following:

The frame-ancestors directive’s syntax is similar to a source list of other directives (e.g. default-src), but doesn't allow 'unsafe-eval' or 'unsafe-inline' for example. It will also not fall back to a default-src setting. Only the sources listed below are allowed:

<host-source>
Internet hosts by name or IP address, as well as an optional URL scheme and/or port number, separated by spaces. The site's address may include an optional leading wildcard (the asterisk character, '*'), and you may use a wildcard (again, '*') as the port number, indicating that all legal ports are valid for the source. Single quotes surrounding the host are not allowed.
Examples:
  • http://*.example.com: Matches all attempts to load from any subdomain of example.com using the http: URL scheme.
  • mail.example.com:443: Matches all attempts to access port 443 on mail.example.com.
  • https://store.example.com: Matches all attempts to access store.example.com using https:.

If no URL scheme is specified for a host-source and the iframe is loaded from an https URL, the URL for the page loading the iframe must also be https, per the W3C spec on matching source expressions.

<scheme-source>
A scheme such as http: or https:. The colon is required and scheme should not be quoted. You can also specify data schemes (not recommended).
  • data: Allows data: URIs to be used as a content source. This is insecure; an attacker can also inject arbitrary data: URIs. Use this sparingly and definitely not for scripts.
  • mediastream: Allows mediastream: URIs to be used as a content source.
  • blob: Allows blob: URIs to be used as a content source.
  • filesystem: Allows filesystem: URIs to be used as a content source.
'self'
Refers to the origin from which the protected document is being served, including the same URL scheme and port number. You must include the single quotes. Some browsers specifically exclude blob and filesystem from source directives. Sites needing to allow these content types can specify them using the Data attribute.
'none'
Refers to the empty set; that is, no URLs match. The single quotes are required.

Examples

Content-Security-Policy: frame-ancestors 'none';

Content-Security-Policy: frame-ancestors 'self' https://www.example.org;

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Content Security Policy Level 3
The definition of 'frame-ancestors' in that specification.
Working Draft No changes.
Content Security Policy Level 2
The definition of 'frame-ancestors' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
frame-ancestorsChrome Full support 40Edge Full support 15Firefox Full support 33
Notes
Full support 33
Notes
Notes Before Firefox 58, frame-ancestors is ignored in Content-Security-Policy-Report-Only.
IE No support NoOpera Full support 26Safari Full support 10WebView Android ? Chrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 33
Notes
Full support 33
Notes
Notes Before Firefox for Android 58, frame-ancestors is ignored in Content-Security-Policy-Report-Only.
Opera Android ? Safari iOS Full support 9.3Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
Compatibility unknown
Compatibility unknown
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.

See also