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FIDO U2F#

Overview#

FIDO Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) is an open authentication standard that strengthens and simplifies two-factor authentication using specialized USB or NFC devices based on similar security technology found in smart cards.

Learn more about the U2F standard on Gluu's website.

This document will explain how to use Gluu's U2F interception script to configure the Gluu Server for a two-step authentication process with username and password as the first step, and any U2F device as the second step.

U2F Devices#

Some well known U2F devices and manufacturers include:
- Vasco DIGIPASS SecureClick
- Yubico
- HyperFIDO
- Feitian Technologies

Check FIDO's certified products for a comprehensive list of U2F devices (sort by Specification == U2F).

Prerequisites#

Properties#

The script has the following properties

Property Description Example
u2f_application_id URL of the application https://idp.gluu.info
u2f_server_uri DNS/URL of the oxauth/u2f server https://idp.gluu.info
u2f_server_metadata_uri URL of the u2f server metadata https://idp.gluu.info

Configure U2F#

Follow the steps below to configure the U2F module in the oxTrust Admin GUI.

  1. Navigate to Configuration > Manage Custom Scripts.

  2. Click on the Person Authentication tab
    person-auth

  3. Find the U2F script
    u2f-script

  4. Enable the script by ticking the check box
    enable

  5. Click Update

Now U2F is an available authentication mechanism for your Gluu Server. This means that, using OpenID Connect acr_values, applications can now request U2F authentication for users.

Note

To make sure U2F has been enabled successfully, you can check your Gluu Server's OpenID Connect configuration by navigating to the following URL: https://<hostname>/.well-known/openid-configuration. Find "acr_values_supported": and you should see "u2f".

Make U2F the Default Authentication Mechanism#

Now applications can request U2F authentication, but what if you want to make U2F your default authentication mechanism? You can follow these instructions:

  1. Navigate to Configuration > Manage Authentication.
  2. Select the Default Authentication Method tab.
  3. In the Default Authentication Method window you will see two options: Default acr and oxTrust acr.

u2f

  • The oxTrust acr field controls the authentication mechanism that is presented to access the oxTrust dashboard GUI (the application you are in).
  • The Default acr field controls the default authentication mechanism that is presented to users from all applications that leverage your Gluu Server for authentication.

You can change one or both fields to U2F authentication as you see fit. If you want U2F to be the default authentication mechanism for access to oxTrust (the admin portal) and all other applications that leverage your Gluu Server, change both fields to U2F.