Configure Keycloak OTP via Administration REST API

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06-10-2024

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Securing Your Realm with Keycloak's OTP: A Guide to Configuration via REST API

Problem: You need to implement two-factor authentication (2FA) using One-Time Passwords (OTP) in your Keycloak realm for enhanced security. You want to configure this feature efficiently through Keycloak's Administration REST API.

Solution: Keycloak's REST API empowers you to manage all aspects of your realm, including setting up OTP-based 2FA. This guide walks you through the configuration process step-by-step, making your realm more secure and robust.

Scenario:

Let's imagine you have a Keycloak realm named "MyRealm" and you want to enable OTP for all users. You'll achieve this using the Keycloak Administration REST API.

Original Code (Example):

{
  "realm": "MyRealm",
  "events": {
    "enabled": true
  },
  "smtp": {
    "from": "[email protected]",
    "host": "smtp.mydomain.com",
    "port": 587,
    "tls": true
  },
  "auth": {
    "eventListeners": [
      {
        "providerId": "otp-provider",
        "priority": 10
      }
    ]
  }
}

Analysis & Clarification:

• OTP Provider: In the example above, otp-provider signifies a custom OTP provider that handles OTP generation and verification. This provider could be based on an existing library or implemented from scratch.
• Event Listeners: Keycloak's event listener mechanism lets you trigger actions based on user authentication events. In this case, we add an otp-provider event listener to engage your OTP provider during the login process.
• SMTP Configuration: If you're using email-based OTP delivery, the smtp section configures the mail server parameters.

Step-by-Step Configuration Guide:

1. Obtain Access Token: You need an admin access token to interact with the Keycloak REST API. This token can be obtained by logging in as an administrator and using the /auth/realms/{realm}/protocol/openid-connect/token endpoint.
2. Update Realm Configuration: Make a PUT request to the realms/{realm} endpoint with the updated JSON payload containing your OTP provider configuration, event listener, and any relevant SMTP settings.
3. Restart Keycloak: After modifying the configuration, restart Keycloak to ensure the changes are applied.

Additional Value:

• Security Best Practices: OTP implementation is a crucial step towards enhancing security. Implement strong password policies and educate users about best practices for password management.
• Testing: Thoroughly test your OTP configuration to ensure it works as expected.
• Customizations: Customize the OTP provider behavior based on your specific security requirements. For example, you can modify the OTP delivery method (SMS, email, or mobile app), set expiration times, and define the number of retries allowed.

References & Resources:

• Keycloak Documentation: https://www.keycloak.org/docs/latest/server_admin/index.html
• Keycloak REST API Documentation: https://www.keycloak.org/docs/latest/rest-api/index.html
• Open Source OTP Libraries: https://github.com/google/re2c (Example: re2c for OTP generation)

Conclusion:

Implementing OTP-based 2FA through Keycloak's REST API provides a robust security solution. This guide provides a framework for setting up OTP, emphasizing best practices, customization, and thorough testing. By securing your realm effectively, you contribute to a safer and more trustworthy online environment.