Session management
At Fluid Attacks, session management is pivotal to ensuring the security and authentication of users across our products. We employ JSON Web Tokens (JWT) as the mechanism for session management, known for their security, efficiency, and widespread usage in modern web applications.
Generation of session and OTP Tokens
We create JWT tokens for valid user sessions, containing information such as the user’s email, name, and a unique identifier (JTI). These tokens are encrypted and signed before being returned. Furthermore, for trusted device verification, we issue single-use codes known as One-Time Password (OTP) tokens. These OTP tokens include information about the device, its location, browser, and a unique identifier (JTI).
Secure encoding
Utilizing JSON Web Encryption (JWE), we encode user information into tokens, ensuring confidentiality during transmission. The encrypted payload is then signed using JSON Web Signature (JWS), guaranteeing data integrity and authenticity. This two-step process safeguards against tampering and unauthorized access to user data.
Secure decoding
Upon receipt of a JWT token, we meticulously decode and verify its authenticity. Through rigorous validation checks, we ascertain the token’s integrity and confirm its legitimacy before proceeding with user authentication. This diligent approach mitigates the risk and token tampering or forgery.
Session verification
When a session token is presented for authentication, we rigorously verify its validity. This entails confirming the token’s authenticity, ensuring it corresponds to the associated user, and validating its non-revoked status. In the event of an invalid token, appropriate measures are taken, such as raising exceptions and terminating the session.
Session removal
To uphold security standards, we provide mechanisms for revoking active session tokens. By marking tokens as invalid within our system, we effectively terminate associated sessions, preventing unauthorized access and enhancing overall security posture.
Session expiration
Each JWT token generated is assigned a predefined expiration time. This time-based constraint limits the token’s lifespan, thereby reducing the window of opportunity for potential security threats such as identity theft or session hijacking. By enforcing token expiration, we bolster the resilience of our authentication mechanism.
Management of multiple sessions
Our system effectively detects and manages concurrent user sessions. Upon detecting the initiation of a new session, we perform comprehensive checks to ascertain the existence of concurrent sessions for the same user. In scenarios where multiples sessions are detected, proactive measures are implemented to address potential security risks. For instance, if a user attempts to log in from a different browser, we invalidate the previous session to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access. This approach underscores Fluid Attacks’ commitment to prioritizing user security and data protection at every stage of the session lifecycle.
In summary, our comprehensive approach to session management encompasses robust token generation, secure encoding and decoding mechanisms, stringent verification protocols, proactive session revocation measures, and effective mitigation strategies for concurrent sessions. By prioritizing security at every stage of the session lifecycle, we ensure the utmost protection of user credentials and sensitive data within our ecosystem.