Access Token Missing-Claim Handling in Network Function Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunications systems lack a standardized framework for communicating missing claims in access tokens during authorization procedures, leading to inefficiencies and potential misuse of invalid or incomplete access tokens.
Innovation Solution
Implement a framework where a network function service producer (NFp) validates access tokens for missing claims and sends error responses indicating the missing claims, allowing the consumer (NFc) to retrieve a new token with the required claims, using standardized HTTP error messages and problem details objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access token validation is performed without standardized error communication, then security is maintained, but system efficiency deteriorates due to repeated invalid requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the NFp sends standardized error responses containing problem details about missing claims to the NFc. This allows the NFc to understand exactly what is wrong with its access token and retrieve a corrected token, preventing repeated invalid requests and improving system efficiency while maintaining security validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standardized problem details object as an intermediary communication format between NFp and NFc. This structured intermediary carries specific information about validation failures, enabling precise error communication and guiding the NFc in obtaining the correct access token without requiring complex ad-hoc error handling.
2Ease of operation
If detailed error information is provided about missing claims, then ease of operation improves, but information security worsens due to potential exposure of system details
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing detailed error information only in the standardized problem details field of the error response, rather than exposing system internals. The error message structure allows specific claim information to be communicated without revealing broader system architecture or security mechanisms, balancing usability with security.
3Measurement precision
If access token validation checks all claims, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access token validation process into distinct components: checking the token signature, verifying the issuer, and validating individual claims. This segmentation allows comprehensive validation of all claims while organizing the complexity into manageable, modular steps that can be implemented systematically.
Data Source
AI summary
A method implemented at a network function service producer (NFp) is provided. The method includes receiving a service request from a network function service consumer (NFc) for access to a service provided by the NFp. The request includes an access token that asserts one or more claims and represents an access authorization issued to the NFc. The method includes performing a validation of the access token in which a determination is made that at least one claim is missing from the one or more claims asserted by the access token. And based on the validation, the method includes sending an error response to the NFc that indicates the service request is rejected, and that indicates the at least one missing claim. A corresponding method implemented at the NFC is also provided.