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How can OAuth improve authentication for mobile apps?

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Mobile apps often need to access user data from different sources, such as social media, cloud storage, or email. However, asking users to enter their credentials for each service every time they use the app is inconvenient and insecure. OAuth is a protocol that can improve authentication for mobile apps by allowing users to grant permission to the app to access their data without sharing their passwords. In this article, you will learn how OAuth works, what benefits it offers, and what challenges it faces.

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Jayan Gopinad

Information Security | GRC | Privacy | CISSP | CCSP | CISM | CISA | ISO27K | CIPPE | HarvardX
Shihabudheen Thoni Kadavath

CISSP | CCSP| CCSK| Azure Security | Azure Solution Architect| GCP-PCA | VMware | ISO27001 LA |CySA+|Splunk| Sentinel…

1 What is OAuth?

OAuth is an open standard that enables secure and delegated authorization between applications and services. It allows users to grant access to their data from one service (such as Facebook or Google) to another application (such as a mobile app) without exposing their credentials. OAuth uses tokens, which are strings of characters that represent the scope and duration of the access, to authenticate the requests. The tokens are issued by an authorization server, which verifies the identity of the user and the app, and can be revoked by the user at any time.

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Jayan Gopinad

Information Security | GRC | Privacy | CISSP | CCSP | CISM | CISA | ISO27K | CIPPE | HarvardX
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OAuth is commonly used in conjunction with OpenID Connect (OIDC) to provide not only authorization but also authentication. This integration allows users to authenticate once and then access multiple services or applications without the need to log in again, enhancing user convenience and experience. The combination of OAuth and OIDC is powerful for creating a seamless and secure authentication process in various applications, including mobile apps.

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2 What are the benefits of OAuth?

OAuth offers several advantages for mobile app authentication, such as simplifying the user experience by reducing the need to remember multiple passwords, enhancing the security of user data, providing the user with more control and transparency over their data access, and supporting interoperability and innovation. It eliminates the storage and transmission of passwords, which can be stolen or compromised, and allows users to choose which services and scopes they want to grant, as well as revoke the access at any time. OAuth facilitates the integration of various services and applications with a common protocol and standard.

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Shihabudheen Thoni Kadavath

CISSP | CCSP| CCSK| Azure Security | Azure Solution Architect| GCP-PCA | VMware | ISO27001 LA |CySA+|Splunk| Sentinel | ITIL |15+Years Experience | Cybersecurity,Cloud security,OT Security,IT Infra & Cloud Specialist
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Few advantages of OAuth 2.0 protocol are: OAuth 2.0 provides the capability to authorize a user. This is crucial for scenarios where a third-party application needs access to a user's resources without exposing their credentials. Popularity — OAuth 2.0 is widely adopted, making it a popular choice for securing APIs. Simplicity of implementation and a large amount of manuals and reference materials. Availability of the ready made solutions that can be changed to fit your needs. OAuth 2.0 allows access to resources via HTTP/HTTPS with tokens included in headers. This allows OAuth usage in almost any solutions: in mobile and desktop applications, on various sites, and even in browser plug-in

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Jayan Gopinad

Information Security | GRC | Privacy | CISSP | CCSP | CISM | CISA | ISO27K | CIPPE | HarvardX
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With OAuth, sensitive user credentials, such as passwords, are not shared between the user and the third-party application. Instead, only access tokens are exchanged, reducing the risk of unauthorized access if the third-party service is compromised. This separation of authentication and authorization enhances the overall security of user accounts and data.

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Hansaja Dias

Senior Network Planning Manager at Singtel | Ex IBMer | Quantum Safe Networking | Helping Singtel and Singtel customers to Connect technologies & connect securely
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The main advantage as per my view is able to minimize the password dependencies. Meaning, it is not required to share password over the internet or over the network for authentication. It’s helps to take out huge security concerns lots of organizations are facing. However that does not mean integrating OAuth back to applications and backend services don’t have security concerns.

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3 What are the challenges of OAuth?

OAuth comes with certain limitations and risks, such as the reliance on the trustworthiness and security of the authorization server. This can be a single point of failure or attack, potentially leading to the exposure or misuse of user data or tokens. Additionally, it adds complexity and overhead to the app development and maintenance process, requiring implementation and compliance of the OAuth protocol, as well as coordination with the authorization server and service providers. Furthermore, OAuth may not cover all use cases and scenarios of mobile app authentication, necessitating alternative mechanisms such as OpenID Connect or FIDO for scenarios like offline access, device-specific access, or biometric authentication.

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Shihabudheen Thoni Kadavath

CISSP | CCSP| CCSK| Azure Security | Azure Solution Architect| GCP-PCA | VMware | ISO27001 LA |CySA+|Splunk| Sentinel | ITIL |15+Years Experience | Cybersecurity,Cloud security,OT Security,IT Infra & Cloud Specialist
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While OAuth 2.0 is widely adopted and offers many benefits,presents certain challenges and disadvantages also .Security concerns are a primary issue, with potential vulnerabilities such as token leakage and unauthorized access if not implemented securely. When a token is stolen, an attacker gains access to the secure data for a while. To minimize this risk a token with signature can be used.The protocol's complexity poses a challenge for developers, particularly those unfamiliar with its intricacies, leading to the risk of misconfiguration.The reliance on user consent introduces the risk of consent phishing.The reliance on a centralized authorization server introduces a single point of failure.

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4 How to implement OAuth for mobile apps?

When implementing OAuth for mobile apps, the type and flow of the app will determine which method to use. The authorization code flow involves redirecting the user to a web browser or embedded web view, where they can log in and consent to the service provider. Following this, an authorization code is received which can be exchanged for a token by the app. Alternatively, the implicit flow skips the exchange step and returns the token directly to the app via the web browser or web view. Lastly, the native app flow uses a custom scheme or universal link to launch the app from the web browser or web view, passing either an authorization code or token to the app via the scheme or link.

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5 How to secure OAuth for mobile apps?

OAuth for mobile apps poses some security challenges, such as the risk of phishing or spoofing attacks, where a malicious app or web page can trick the user into granting access to their data or tokens, or the risk of interception or leakage of the tokens from the web browser, web view, custom scheme, universal link, or the app storage. Additionally, there is a risk of token abuse or replay attacks, where a stolen or expired token can be used to access the user data or impersonate the user. To mitigate these risks, best practices include using the PKCE extension for an extra layer of security to the authorization code flow, AppAuth library for native apps which supports PKCE and universal links, HTTPS and TLS protocols to encrypt and secure communication between the app and authorization server/service provider, short-lived and refreshable tokens to limit duration and scope of access which can be renewed/revoked by app/user, and secure storage/transmission of tokens to prevent unauthorized/accidental access from app/device.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can OAuth improve authentication for mobile apps?

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6

1 What is OAuth?

2 What are the benefits of OAuth?

3 What are the challenges of OAuth?

4 How to implement OAuth for mobile apps?

5 How to secure OAuth for mobile apps?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Network Security

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How can OAuth improve authentication for mobile apps?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 What is OAuth?

2 What are the benefits of OAuth?

3 What are the challenges of OAuth?

4 How to implement OAuth for mobile apps?

5 How to secure OAuth for mobile apps?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Network Security

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