WebAuthn Overview

WebAuthn, an open authentication standard, receives broad support from major browsers and leading technology corporations, including Microsoft and Google. It is part of the FIDO2 specifications, which aim to provide a more secure and user-friendly alternative to traditional password-based logins. WebAuthn allows users to perform password-less logins or robust multi-factor authentication (MFA) using authenticators such as biometrics, mobile devices, or FIDO2 security keys.

Integration in OutSystems

In an OutSystems web application, the FIDO2 .NET Library would be integrated as a module or component that developers could use to implement authentication features. This library would handle the communication between the client's browser and the server, managing the creation and verification of authentication assertions.

User Sign-up and Sign-in Processes

During the user sign-up process, the library would generate a new pair of cryptographic keys (public and private) for the user. The public key is stored on the server, while the private key remains securely on the user's device or authenticator. During sign-in, the user would present a challenge, such as a fingerprint or security key, which the authenticator uses to sign. The server then verifies this signature using the stored public key, thus authenticating the user without passwords.

Extension Beyond Web Applications

The standard extends beyond web applications to integrate with various services and platforms, including Active Directory for enterprise environments. This allows for seamless authentication across different systems and native applications, providing a unified and secure user experience.

Underlying Technology: Public/Private Key Cryptography

The core technology behind WebAuthn is public/private key cryptography. Unlike traditional authentication methods that rely on the exchange of a secret (like a password), this method ensures that the private key never leaves the user's device. Authentication is performed by signing a challenge with the private key, and the server verifies this using the corresponding public key.

Advantages of WebAuthn

The advantages of using WebAuthn in an OutSystems web application include:

- Enhanced Security: By not relying on shared secrets, the system is inherently more secure against phishing attacks, as there are no credentials to be stolen.

Simplified Login Process: Users can enjoy a streamlined login experience without the need to remember complex passwords.

Phishing Mitigation: Since the authentication process involves user interaction with a trusted device, it is much harder for attackers to trick users into revealing their credentials.

Scalability and Flexibility: The system can easily scale and adapt to include new types of authenticators as they become available.

Effectiveness Against Phishing

WebAuthn's design is particularly effective against phishing because it binds the login process to the original website's URL. Authenticators will only respond to a genuine authentication request from the website they were registered with, making it extremely difficult for a phishing site to masquerade as a legitimate one.

Conclusion

Incorporating WebAuthn via the FIDO2.NET library into an OutSystems web application provides a robust, secure, and user-friendly authentication mechanism. It aligns with the latest industry standards for security and user authentication, making it an excellent choice for modern web applications seeking to enhance their security posture and improve the user experience.