Open Authorization, commonly referred to as OAuth, is a protocol that allows an application to authenticate against a server as a user, without requiring the user's password. OAuth acts as an intermediary on behalf of the end user, providing the service with an access token that authorizes specific account information to be shared.
This protocol is widely used in the DevOps world, as it simplifies the process of integrating different software tools and services. OAuth provides a secure and efficient method for systems to communicate with each other, without the need for users to share sensitive personal information, such as passwords.
Definition of OAuth
OAuth is an open-standard authorization protocol or framework that describes how unrelated servers and services can safely allow authenticated access to their assets without sharing the initial, related, single logon credential. In authentication parlance, this is known as secure, third-party, user-agent, delegated authorization.
The OAuth protocol focuses on client developer simplicity while providing specific authorization flows for web applications, desktop applications, mobile phones, and living room devices. This specification and its extensions are being developed within the IETF OAuth Working Group.
OAuth 1.0 and OAuth 2.0
OAuth has two versions, OAuth 1.0 and OAuth 2.0. OAuth 1.0, published in December 2007, is described as a protocol "allowing users to share their private resources (photos, videos, contact lists) stored on one site with another site without having to hand out their credentials, typically username and password."
OAuth 2.0, published in October 2012, is a complete redesign from OAuth 1.0 and focuses on client developer simplicity while providing specific authorization flows for web applications, desktop applications, mobile phones, and living room devices. OAuth 2.0 is not backward compatible with OAuth 1.0 or 1.1, and integrating with OAuth 2.0 involves more changes for developers upgrading from 1.0.
Explanation of OAuth
OAuth allows a user's account information to be used by third-party services, such as Facebook, without exposing the user's password. OAuth acts as an intermediary on behalf of the user, providing the service with an access token that authorizes specific account information to be shared.
The process of implementing OAuth is relatively straightforward. When a user attempts to access a protected resource, they are redirected to an authentication server. The user then grants permission for the application to access their data, and an access token is returned to the application. This token can be used by the application to access the user's data without requiring their password.
OAuth in DevOps
In the context of DevOps, OAuth can be used to integrate different software tools and services. For example, a DevOps team might use OAuth to allow a continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) tool to access a source code repository.
By using OAuth, the team can ensure that the CI/CD tool can access the necessary code without requiring a team member's password. This not only improves security but also simplifies the process of integrating different tools and services.
History of OAuth
The OAuth protocol was first developed in 2006 when Blaine Cook was developing the Twitter OpenID implementation. He ran into the problem of needing to delegate access to the data stored in a user's account without sharing their password. This led to the development of the OAuth protocol.
The first version of the OAuth protocol (OAuth 1.0) was published in December 2007. OAuth 2.0, a complete redesign of the protocol, was published in October 2012.
Development and Adoption of OAuth
Since its initial publication, OAuth has been widely adopted by many major companies and services. This includes Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Twitter, among others. These companies use OAuth to allow users to share their account data with third-party applications without exposing their passwords.
The widespread adoption of OAuth is largely due to its simplicity and effectiveness. By acting as an intermediary, OAuth allows applications to access user data without requiring the user's password. This not only improves security but also makes it easier for users to use third-party applications.
Use Cases of OAuth
OAuth is used in a variety of applications, from web applications to mobile and living room devices. Some common use cases of OAuth include allowing users to sign into websites using their Google, Facebook, or Twitter accounts, and allowing users to share content from one site to another site.
For example, a user might use OAuth to sign into a music streaming service using their Google account. The music streaming service can then access the user's Google account data, such as their email address and profile picture, without requiring the user's Google password.
OAuth in Mobile Applications
OAuth is also commonly used in mobile applications. For example, a mobile app might use OAuth to allow users to sign in using their Facebook account. The app can then access the user's Facebook data, such as their friends list, without requiring the user's Facebook password.
By using OAuth, the app can provide a more personalized experience for the user, such as recommending content based on the user's Facebook likes and interests. This not only improves the user experience but also increases the app's engagement and retention rates.
Examples of OAuth
One specific example of OAuth in action is the "Log in with Facebook" feature that many websites use. When a user clicks on this button, they are redirected to Facebook, where they are asked to grant the website access to their Facebook data. If the user agrees, an access token is returned to the website, which can be used to access the user's Facebook data.
Another example is the Google Drive API, which uses OAuth 2.0 to allow third-party applications to access a user's Google Drive data. When a user attempts to use a third-party application to access their Google Drive data, they are redirected to Google, where they are asked to grant the application access to their data. If the user agrees, an access token is returned to the application, which can be used to access the user's Google Drive data.
OAuth in DevOps Tools
OAuth is also used in many DevOps tools. For example, Jenkins, a popular open-source automation server used in DevOps, supports OAuth. This allows Jenkins to authenticate users against an external service, such as GitHub or Google, without requiring the user's password.
Another example is Docker, a platform used for automating the deployment, scaling, and management of applications. Docker supports OAuth, allowing it to authenticate users against an external service, such as a Docker registry, without requiring the user's password.