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· 3 min read
Amith Koujalgi

Implementing SAML 2.0 SSO Integration Using Keycloak: A Comprehensive Guide​

Introduction​

In today's digital age, secure and seamless authentication mechanisms are paramount. Single Sign-On (SSO) is one such mechanism that simplifies user authentication across multiple applications using a single set of credentials. In this article, I'll walk you through the implementation of SAML 2.0 SSO integration using Keycloak, a powerful open-source identity and access management solution.

Motivation​

Why I Needed This Project​

As applications grow in complexity, managing user authentication across various platforms becomes increasingly challenging. Each application might have its own authentication mechanism, leading to a fragmented user experience and increased security risks. SSO addresses these issues by allowing users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications.

Why SAML 2.0 and Keycloak?​

  • SAML 2.0: Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) 2.0 is a widely-adopted standard for SSO, providing a robust and secure framework for exchanging authentication and authorization data.
  • Keycloak: Keycloak simplifies the process of setting up SSO with its user-friendly interface and extensive support for various authentication protocols, including SAML 2.0. It also offers features like identity brokering, social login, and user federation.

Implementation​

Project Overview​

The project repository, Keycloak SAML SSO Example, demonstrates the integration of SAML 2.0 SSO using Keycloak.

Setting Up Keycloak​

  1. Installation: Download and install Keycloak from the official website.
  2. Configuration:
    • Create a new realm for your project.
    • Add a client to the realm and configure it to use SAML.
    • Set up the necessary mappers to map SAML attributes to Keycloak attributes.

Configuring Service Providers​

  1. Service Provider Metadata: Generate and configure the service provider metadata in Keycloak.
  2. SAML Configuration: Update your application's SAML configuration to point to the Keycloak SAML endpoint.
  3. Testing: Test the SSO integration to ensure that users can authenticate via Keycloak.

Integrating Keycloak with Your Application​

  1. Frontend Integration:
    • Implement the necessary JavaScript to handle SSO redirects.
    • Update your application's login workflow to support SSO.
  2. Backend Integration:
    • Use appropriate libraries to handle SAML responses and assertions.
    • Validate the SAML tokens and establish user sessions.

Detailed Steps​

Step 1: Setting Up Keycloak Server​

  • Download and unzip the Keycloak server distribution.
  • Start the Keycloak server using the bin/standalone.sh script.
  • Access the Keycloak admin console at http://localhost:8080/auth/admin/.

Step 2: Configuring Realms and Clients​

  • Create a new realm named saml-demo.
  • Add a new client with the following settings:
    • Client ID: saml-client
    • Client Protocol: saml
    • Include AuthnStatement: ON
    • Sign Documents: ON
    • Sign Assertions: ON
  • Configure the client to use the appropriate SAML bindings and endpoints.

Step 3: Integrating SAML with Your Application​

  • Update your application's SAML configuration with the metadata from Keycloak.
  • Implement the necessary SAML authentication flows in your application.
  • Ensure that SAML responses are properly validated and user sessions are established.

Conclusion​

Implementing SAML 2.0 SSO using Keycloak has significantly streamlined the authentication process for my applications. It has enhanced security and provided a seamless user experience across multiple platforms. Keycloak's extensive features and user-friendly interface make it an ideal choice for SSO integration.

References​