Access Token Renewal With Push Identity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authorization protocols expose credentials to security risks when refresh tokens are revoked due to suspicious client behavior, leading to unnecessary login processes and potential phishing attacks.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system where clients send a refresh token to an authorization server to obtain a new access token, accompanied by a push notification to verify the resource owner's identity, ensuring the client receives a valid access token only after identity verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refresh tokens are revoked when suspicious behavior is detected, then security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to unnecessary re-login requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by sending push notifications to resource owners before fully revoking access. This allows the system to validate whether suspicious behavior is genuine before taking harsh actions like forcing re-login, thereby maintaining security while avoiding unnecessary user inconvenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms through push notifications that allow resource owners to confirm or deny suspicious activity. This feedback loop enables the system to make informed decisions about token revocation, balancing security requirements with user convenience by only enforcing re-login when actually necessary.
2Reliability
If credentials are used for authentication, then access control is enabled, but exposure to phishing attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the authentication confirmation process from the traditional credential-based flow by introducing push notifications as a separate verification channel. This separates the actual credential entry (done once during token issuance) from the ongoing authentication decisions, reducing repeated credential exposure while maintaining access control.
Solution Approach 2:
Push notifications serve as an intermediary mechanism between the client and resource owner for authentication confirmation. Instead of repeatedly exposing credentials, the system uses this intermediary to verify authenticity through a separate channel, reducing phishing attack surface while preserving access control capabilities.
3Productivity
If access tokens are issued for extended periods, then productivity is improved, but security risk increases if tokens are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic token management where the validity and monitoring of access tokens adapts based on detected behavior patterns. Tokens can be adjusted or revoked in real-time based on suspicious activity detection, allowing extended token periods for normal use while maintaining security against compromised tokens through active monitoring and conditional revocation.
Data Source
AI summary
A client application requesting to access a resource may be issued an access token and a refresh token. Instead of revoking the client application access to a resource by revoking the refresh token, allowing the access token to expire, and forcing a user associated with the client application to re-login, authentication for the client application to access the resource may be obtained from the user. The authentication may be obtained from the user while the client application, without notification of the concurrent authentication, may continue attempts to access the resource, for example, via an invalid access token. Once authentication is obtained, the client application may be provided access to the resource, for example, via a valid access token.