Policy Token Segmentation for Secure Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional access tokens, such as JSON web tokens, are vulnerable to unauthorized access due to publicly readable headers and payloads, and they lack mechanisms to restrict access to specific users while denying access to others.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of policy tokens, which are configured to verify whether a user satisfies specific security policies for accessing resources, and include encrypted contents accessible only by the token producer, allowing for secure distribution and access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional access tokens with publicly readable headers and payloads are used, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to vulnerability to unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The access token is segmented into multiple distinct components: a header containing token type and version information, an encrypted payload containing user identity and privileges, and a signature. This segmentation allows the sensitive payload to be encrypted while keeping the token structure readable and verifiable, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and security.
Solution Approach 2:
An encryption intermediary mechanism is introduced where the payload is encrypted using a public key or symmetric key before being included in the token. This intermediary layer protects the sensitive information while allowing the token to remain functional and verifiable, thus improving security without sacrificing ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If access tokens contain additional data beyond security information, then adaptability is improved, but security is worsened due to increased exposure of sensitive information
Solution Approach 1:
The token structure is segmented into a public header and an encrypted payload. The payload can contain additional adaptive data such as user identity, privileges, and other information, while the encryption ensures that this additional data does not compromise security. This allows the token to be versatile without exposing sensitive information.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the token have different quality characteristics: the header is publicly readable for compatibility and ease of processing, while the payload is encrypted for security. This local differentiation of properties allows the token to simultaneously achieve adaptability through the flexible payload and security through selective encryption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include accessing a key from a secure storage. A payload may be encrypted using the key. A policy token may be generated. The policy token may include a publicly-readable header including a header identifier of the key and the payload encrypted using the key. The policy token may be sent. The policy token may be received. The publicly-readable header may be read. The key may be identified using the header identifier of the key from the publicly-readable header. The key may be accessed from the secure storage. The payload may be decrypted using the key.