Token Validation Resource for OAuth Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authorization and authentication protocols, such as OAuth, are vulnerable to token leakage, privilege escalation threats, and insufficient security due to the use of whitelisted URLs, which can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a token validation resource that validates access tokens by analyzing their destination network addresses and applying network security policies, including whitelisting and DNS verification, to distinguish legitimate from malicious URLs and prevent unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If OAuth protocols are used to enable user access without repeated password entry, then user-friendliness is improved, but security is worsened due to token leakage vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a validator server as an intermediary component between the authorization server and the client application. This validator server receives access tokens, validates their authenticity and permissions, and only then permits access to protected resources. This intermediary layer maintains the convenience of token-based authentication while adding a security checkpoint that prevents token leakage exploitation.
2Ease of manufacture
If whitelisted URLs are used in OAuth systems to redirect tokens, then token delivery is simplified, but security is worsened due to fake URL exploitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary validation of URLs and tokens before they are used for resource access. The validator server checks whether the URL in the access token is legitimate and whether the token itself is valid before permitting the redirect and resource access. This preliminary action prevents attackers from exploiting fake URLs while maintaining the simplified token delivery mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access tokens are passed to applications at target URLs, then resource access is enabled, but security is worsened due to token interception at fictitious URLs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the validator server provides validation results back to the system before resource access is granted. The access token is not directly passed to the application at the target URL without first being validated. The validator server feedback confirms whether the token is authentic and the URL is legitimate, thereby preventing token interception while maintaining resource access capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for securely validating access tokens. Techniques include receiving, at a token validation resource, a token provided from a network application, the token having an associated destination network address; wherein the token was dynamically created, and the token was provided to the network application; performing a validation process for the token, the validation process being based on at least the destination network address associated with the token; and determining, based on an outcome of the validation process, whether to permit the network application to assert the token to a destination network resource associated with the destination network address.