Authentication Security Guide

Authentication System Security Guide 🔐

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Calibre-Web Automated provides multiple authentication methods designed for enterprise security. This guide covers security best practices, configuration guidelines, and threat mitigation strategies for CWA's authentication systems.

🛡️ Security Overview

CWA supports multiple enterprise-grade authentication methods:

Standard Authentication: Username/password with secure password policies
OAuth 2.0/OIDC: Integration with identity providers (Keycloak, Authentik, Google, etc.)
LDAP Authentication: Enterprise directory integration (Active Directory, OpenLDAP)
Reverse Proxy Authentication: SSO gateway integration (Authelia, Authentik, Traefik)

Each method includes comprehensive security measures and follows industry best practices.

🔒 General Security Principles

Core Security Features

✅ Input Validation: All user inputs validated and sanitized
✅ SQL Injection Protection: Parameterized queries and ORM protection
✅ Session Security: Secure session management with proper timeouts
✅ Password Security: Secure hashing and storage (bcrypt)
✅ CSRF Protection: Cross-site request forgery prevention
✅ XSS Protection: Cross-site scripting prevention
✅ Audit Logging: Comprehensive authentication event logging
✅ Error Handling: Secure error handling without information disclosure

Security Architecture

┌─────────────────┐    ┌─────────────────┐    ┌─────────────────┐
│   User Client   │───▶│  Auth Gateway   │───▶│      CWA        │
│                 │    │  (Optional)     │    │                 │
├─────────────────┤    ├─────────────────┤    ├─────────────────┤
│ • Web Browser   │    │ • Authelia      │    │ • Input Valid.  │
│ • Mobile App    │    │ • Authentik     │    │ • Session Mgmt  │
│ • API Client    │    │ • Traefik       │    │ • Audit Logging │
│ • E-reader      │    │ • OAuth Provider│    │ • Access Control│
└─────────────────┘    └─────────────────┘    └─────────────────┘

🎯 Authentication Method Security

Standard Username/Password Authentication

Security Features:

bcrypt Password Hashing: Industry-standard password storage
Password Complexity: Configurable password requirements
Account Lockout: Protection against brute force attacks
Session Management: Secure session tokens and timeouts

Security Best Practices:

✅ Require strong passwords (8+ characters, mixed case, numbers, symbols)
✅ Enable account lockout after failed attempts
✅ Use HTTPS for all authentication traffic
✅ Regular password rotation policies
✅ Monitor for suspicious login patterns

Risk Mitigation:

Credential Stuffing: Account lockout and rate limiting
Password Attacks: Strong hashing and complexity requirements
Session Hijacking: Secure session tokens and HTTPS enforcement

OAuth 2.0/OIDC Authentication

Security Features:

Redirect URI Validation: Prevents authorization code interception
State Parameter: CSRF protection during OAuth flow
PKCE Support: Enhanced security for public clients
Token Validation: JWT signature and expiration validation
Scope Limitation: Minimal required permissions requested

Security Best Practices:

✅ Use HTTPS for all OAuth endpoints
✅ Validate redirect URIs exactly
✅ Implement proper state validation
✅ Use short-lived access tokens
✅ Rotate client secrets regularly
✅ Monitor OAuth provider security advisories

Risk Mitigation:

Authorization Code Interception: Redirect URI validation and PKCE
Token Theft: Short token lifetimes and secure storage
CSRF Attacks: State parameter validation
Scope Escalation: Minimal permission requests

LDAP Authentication

Security Features:

Secure Binding: Support for SSL/TLS encrypted connections
Input Sanitization: LDAP injection prevention
Minimal Permissions: Read-only LDAP queries when possible
Connection Pooling: Efficient and secure connection management

Security Best Practices:

✅ Use LDAPS (LDAP over SSL/TLS) when possible
✅ Implement proper LDAP injection prevention
✅ Use service accounts with minimal permissions
✅ Regular security updates for LDAP servers
✅ Monitor LDAP authentication logs
✅ Network segmentation for LDAP traffic

Risk Mitigation:

LDAP Injection: Input validation and parameterized queries
Credential Interception: SSL/TLS encryption
Privilege Escalation: Minimal service account permissions
Network Attacks: VPN or network segmentation

Reverse Proxy Authentication

Security Features:

Header Validation: Strict authentication header validation
Network Isolation: Requires trusted network architecture
Input Sanitization: Username and header content validation
Configuration Validation: Prevents insecure configurations

Security Best Practices:

✅ CRITICAL: Ensure CWA is not directly accessible
✅ Use trusted reverse proxy solutions
✅ Implement proper network segmentation
✅ Validate authentication headers strictly
✅ Regular security audits of proxy configuration
✅ Monitor for bypass attempts

Risk Mitigation:

Header Spoofing: Network isolation and trusted proxy validation
Direct Access: Firewall rules and network segmentation
Privilege Escalation: Input validation and sanitization
Session Hijacking: Secure proxy-to-CWA communication

🔐 Auto-User Creation Security

All authentication methods support automatic user creation if enabled the following with built-in security measures:

Security Controls

Input Validation:

Username sanitization and length limits
Email format validation
Character set restrictions (alphanumeric, basic symbols)
Prevention of reserved usernames (admin, root, etc.)

Default Permissions:

New users inherit configured default permissions only
No elevated privileges granted automatically
Role-based access control applied consistently
Tag and content restrictions applied by default

Audit Trail:

All user creation events logged with source
IP address and timestamp recording
Authentication method tracking
Administrative oversight capabilities

Threat Prevention

Account Takeover Prevention:

✅ Username uniqueness enforcement
✅ Email validation and verification
✅ Audit logging for all account creation
✅ Administrative review capabilities

Privilege Escalation Prevention:

✅ Default role assignment only
✅ No automatic admin privileges
✅ Consistent permission inheritance
✅ Regular permission audits

🚨 Security Monitoring and Alerting

Key Security Metrics

Monitor these security indicators that show up in logs as they can be indicators of user's accounts being compromised:

Authentication Events:

Failed login attempts by IP/user
Unusual login patterns or times
Multiple concurrent sessions
Geographic location anomalies

Account Management:

New user account creation frequency
Permission changes on accounts
Password reset requests

System Security:

Database access patterns
Configuration changes
Error rates and types
Resource usage anomalies

Log Analysis

Critical Log Entries:

Authentication successful for user: [username] from IP: [ip]
Authentication failed for user: [username] from IP: [ip]
Auto-created user from [auth_method]: [username]
User [username] permissions modified by: [admin_user]
Configuration changed by user: [admin_user]
Database error during authentication: [error_details]

Security Event Correlation:

Multiple failed attempts from single IP
Rapid user creation from external auth
Configuration changes during off-hours
Database errors coinciding with attacks

🛠️ Security Hardening Checklist

Make sure to enable the following for hardened security

Network Security

☐ Run CWA behind an HTTPS reverse proxy
☐ Disabled direct HTTP access
☐ Firewall rules to restrict access to CWA ports outside of the proxy
☐ Implement Network segmentation
☐ Perform regular network security scans

Application Security

☐ Set strong admin passwords
☐ Change all Default passwords
☐ Disable debug logging in production servers
☐ Configure file upload restrictions
☐ Apply regular security updates to the host system