Cross-Domain Authentication via Encrypted Substitute User Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-tenant cloud computing systems, administrators face challenges in switching between domains for administrative tasks, troubleshooting, or becoming another user due to the difficulty in sharing cookies between domains, which complicates data and service isolation and integration.
Innovation Solution
A server in the first domain prepares a substitute user request, encrypted with the administrator's session ID, IP address, and domain information, and sends it to a servlet on the second domain to allow the administrator to log in as another user, using HTTP redirects and encryption to ensure secure impersonation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cookies are used for session management in multi-tenant systems, then user authentication is simplified, but domain isolation and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the authentication mechanism by creating domain-specific cookies instead of using universal cookies. Each domain maintains its own separate cookie, allowing authentication to work within domains while preserving domain isolation and security boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (substitute user request with encrypted session ID) that enables cross-domain authentication without directly sharing cookies between domains. This intermediary approach maintains security isolation while achieving the authentication goal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If administrators can access multiple domains, then troubleshooting and administrative tasks are improved, but data isolation between tenants is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by making authentication credentials domain-specific rather than universal. Each domain has its own cookie and authentication context, ensuring that administrative access to one domain does not compromise data isolation in other domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The substitute user request acts as an intermediary that allows administrators to access other domains while maintaining proper authentication boundaries. The encrypted session ID ensures that access is granted through a controlled mechanism that preserves tenant data isolation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cross-domain authentication is enabled, then administrator versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing servlet infrastructure as an intermediary to handle cross-domain authentication. By leveraging the existing HTTP redirect mechanism and adding encrypted session ID transmission, the system achieves cross-domain access without building a completely new authentication framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The substitute user request mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables cross-domain authentication, maintains security isolation, and works with the existing HTTP redirect infrastructure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for logging into an application across separate domains in a multi-tenant database environment is provided. The method may include receiving, by a server associated with a first domain, a substitute user request from a user of the first domain, the substitute user request including a request for the user of the first domain to become a user on a second domain, posting, to a server associated with the second domain, the substitute user request, and posting, by the server associated with the second domain, a new session identification allowing the user of the first domain to login to an application on the second domain.