Table of Contents
In the rapidly developed digital landscape, it is important to secure user data and app integrity for developers. There are two fundamental concepts, Authentication and Authority, to achieve this. While often using interpretation, they serve different purposes to control access to both systems and protect sensitive data.
- Authentication confirms the user’s identity.
- Authorization determines what that user is allowed to do.
In this blog, we explore various methods of authentication and authority, discovering cases of use, best practices, and general losses that can be avoided when implemented in web applications.
1. Authentication: Methods and Use Cases
Authentication is the process of verifying a user’s identity before providing access to a system or resource. This ensures that only authorized individuals or applications can access data, services, or systems. In this section, we will detect various authentication methods and matters of their use.
1.1 HTTP Basic Authentication (Basic Auth)
HTTP Basic Authentication is one of the simplest forms of authentication. This includes sending a username and password encoded in the base 64 in the HTTP header. However, because credentials are sent in plaintext (base 64 encoding), they are highly weak until they are used on https. Here is a basic example of how it works:
While applying is easy, the original authentic is not safe. It is usually used in combination with SSL/TLS for internal applications or safe communication. It is best suited for landscapes where simplicity is preferred over safety, such as internal equipment or systems without sensitive data.
Challenges:
- Credentials are encoded, not encrypted.
- It’s vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks if not used over HTTPS.
1.2 API Keys
API keys provide developers with a simple way to certify applications that reach a service. An API key is usually a long string of characters that act as a token for an application, providing access to APIs. For example, an API key can look like this:
The API keys are widely used in several services as they are easy to generate and apply. However, they do not provide strong security on their own, as the API keys can be easily shared or stolen. For safe implementation, developers often connect the API key to other methods such as https or IP White Scheme to reduce risks.
Challenges:
- No user-level tracking.
- If compromised, an API key can be misused without any additional verification.
1.3 JSON Web Token (JWT)
JSON Web Token (JWT) is a popular and flexible authentication method used to transmit information safely between parties. JWTS compact, self-contained tokens that can be easily transmitted through HTTP header or query parameters. They consist of three parts: a header, a payload, and a signature.
const jwt = require(‘jsonwebtoken’);
const token = ‘YOUR.JWT.TOKEN’;
const decoded = jwt.decode(token);
console.log(decoded);
JWTs are widely used in stateless authentication systems, especially for restful APIs. They do not need to store session data on the server side, making them ideal for scaling in distributed systems.
Challenges:
- Long-lived tokens can be a security risk if not handled carefully.
- Requires secure implementation, particularly for signing and token expiration.
1.4 OpenID Connect (OIDC)
OpenID Connect (OIDC) is an identity layer built on top of OAuth 2.0. It allows users to verify their identities using third-party identity providers, such as Google, Facebook, or Microsoft. OIDC also enables single sign-on (SSO) functionality, which means that users can log in to many services using a single set of credentials.
For example, if you are developing an app that allows users to log in with their Google accounts, you can use OIDC to handle the authentication process. OIDC is ideal for web and mobile applications where a spontaneous user login experience is important.
Challenges:
- Complexity in setting up.
- Requires external identity providers and secure token handling.
1.5 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) increases safety by requiring users to provide several forms of verification before being given access. Typically, the MFA involves something the user knows (a password), something they have (a phone or hardware token), and/or something they are (biometrics such as fingerprint or facial identification).
An example of MFA in action is logging in to a website with a password, followed by a one-time code on your phone, which you have to enter to get access. MFA is essential for any system where security is paramount, such as a banking application or enterprise environment.
Challenges:
- Adds friction to the user experience.
- Needs robust infrastructure to handle various forms of MFA.
2. Authorization
While authentication focuses on identifying users, authorization determines what actions they can perform within a system. Authorization verifies what a user is allowed to do once they’ve been authenticated.
2.1 OAuth 2.0
The Oauth 2.0 is a widely adopted token-based authority structure that allows users to provide access to third-party applications to their resources without sharing their credentials. Oauth is usually used in scenarios where users need to authorize an app to access their data on another platform.
Examples: If you use the Codemanager app to track your code repository, you can provide access to the Bugtracker app to monitor issues without sharing your Codemanager login credentials. Oauth 2.0 manages this access by securely releasing tokens that represent permission given to the third-party app.
Challenges:
- Requires secure storage and handling of tokens.
- It is a complex setup with multiple moving parts.
2.2 Scope-Based Authorization
In OAuth 2.0, authorization is often scope-based, meaning specific permissions are defined within access tokens. A token can only read access to some resources but allows to reach others. For example, when integrating with API, the client app read: User or right: may request a scope like repo: repo, limiting what the app can do from the user.
Scopes provide a way to limit the access of third-party applications to essential resources, ensuring that the access is given only to the essential functions.
Challenges:
- Over-scoping can lead to security risks.
- Fine-tuning scope permissions can be complex.
2.3 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Role-based access control (RBAC) provides permissions based on predetermined roles. Users are classified in roles like administrator, editor, or audience with specific access rights. RBAC simplifies user permissions by adding the permissions of the user to roles, making it easier to grant or cancel access when the roles of users change.
For example, a “viewer” role can only have read access to a resource, while an “administrator” role can have complete access, including the ability to make or remove resources. RBAC is widely used in organizations to streamline permission management.
class Ability
include CanCan::Ability
def initialize(user)
if user.admin?
can :manage, :all
else
can :read, :all
end
end
end
Challenges:
- Role explosions can occur if roles are too granular.
- Inflexible for highly dynamic or user-specific permissions.
2.4 Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Characteristic-based access control (ABAC) is a more granular form of access control compared to RBAC. Instead of fully relying on roles, ABAC evaluates a combination of user, resources, and environmental characteristics to determine access rights.
For example, access can be provided based on the user’s department, location, or access time. ABAC provides a highly flexible, reference-intelligent approach to control, which makes it suitable for a dynamic environment where conditions often change.
Challenges:
- Complex to implement and maintain due to many conditions.
- Needs a strong underlying policy management system.
2.5 Policy-Based Access Control (PBAC)
PBAC integrates roles, characteristics, and policies to define access control. The policies regulate what access is provided based on many conditions. For example, a policy can decide that users with an administrator role working during office time can only reach some resources.
PBAC allows for fine control and dynamic access decisions, which makes it ideal for an environment that requires a high level of adaptation and real-time adjustment.
Challenges:
- Can become unwieldy with overly complex policies.
- Needs a dedicated policy management system to avoid errors.
3. Best Practices for Implementation
- Use HTTPS: Always encrypt communications using TLS to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Secure Token Storage: Never store access tokens or credentials in local storage or expose them in URLs.
- Apply the Principle of Least Privilege: Users should have the minimum access necessary to perform their tasks.
- Token Expiration and Refresh: Ensure tokens are short-lived and have a secure method for refreshing them.
- Audit and Log Access: Regularly audit who is accessing your system and ensure that unauthorized access attempts are logged and flagged.
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Hardcoding Credentials: Never hardcode API keys, passwords, or other sensitive information directly into your codebase.
- Over-Scoping: Granting excessive permissions can lead to security vulnerabilities. Use scoped permissions to minimize risk.
- Ignoring Token Expiry: Failing to implement token expiration can lead to prolonged misuse if tokens are compromised.
Weak Password Policies: Ensure users set strong passwords and consider implementing MFA to mitigate password-related risks.
It is important to create confidence with users and protect the applications with the right authentication and authority mechanisms. Applying modern methods such as Oauth 2.0, JWTS, and MFA and following the best practices such as roll-based access and secure token management can ensure that your system is well preserved. Remember, safety is a continuous process, and regularly reviewing and updating your authentication and authority strategies is important to maintain a safe environment.
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