feat: integrate rate limiter middleware across backend APIs

[ash1shkumar]

🚀 Description

Integrated rate limiter middleware across backend APIs to improve security and prevent API abuse/spam requests.

Changes Made

• Installed and configured express-rate-limit
• Created reusable backend rate limiter middleware
• Applied rate limiting globally across backend API routes
• Added standardized rate limit response handling
• Improved backend protection against excessive requests and abuse

Security Improvements

• Prevents API spam/flood attacks
• Reduces risk of brute-force request abuse
• Improves backend stability under high request load
• Adds centralized request throttling

Fixes #123

🛠️ Type of change

• Security improvement
• Backend enhancement
• Middleware integration

✅ Checklist

• Code follows project style guidelines
• Tested locally
• No breaking changes introduced
• Middleware integrated successfully

Expected Labels: level3 NSoC'26

[vercel]

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[github-actions]

👋 Thank you for opening this pull request! I will review your changes and assist you soon.

[ash1shkumar]

@Shriii19 This PR is ready for review. I’ve completed the implementation, tested the changes locally, and addressed the issue requirements. Please review when available. Thanks!

[vercel]

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Project	Deployment	Actions	Updated (UTC)
flow-forge	Ready	Preview, Comment	May 30, 2026 4:23pm