Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that requires users to verify their identity through at least two separate verification factors. This enhances the security compared to using a singular factor like a password alone. WebAuthn, part of the FIDO2 project, provides a standard for implementing MFA using JavaScript and web APIs that are a pleasure for developers and users alike.
Introduction to WebAuthn
WebAuthn is a web standard published by the W3C that enables public key cryptography-based authentication. It allows servers to register and authenticate users without sending any sensitive information over the network.
Setting Up Your Environment
Before diving into coding, ensure that your server supports HTTPS as WebAuthn requires secure contexts. Additionally, modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari support WebAuthn, so you'll need one of these for development and testing.
Getting Started with WebAuthn
WebAuthn APIs are used in two main phases: registration and authentication. In this article, we'll provide you with examples for each phase using JavaScript.
Registration
During the registration phase, a user creates or selects a credential and registers it with the server. A typical registration workflow involves generating a challenge, obtaining user consent, and creating a new credential.
// Example: Initializing registration challenge
const getRegistrationChallenge = async () => {
const response = await fetch('/get-registration-challenge');
const challenge = await response.json();
return challenge;
};
// Example: Creating a credential
const createCredential = async (challenge) => {
const newCredential = await navigator.credentials.create({
publicKey: {
challenge: new Uint8Array(challenge.challenge),
rp: { name: 'Example Corp' },
user: {
id: Uint8Array.from(window.crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(16))),
name: '[email protected]',
displayName: 'User Name'
},
pubKeyCredParams: [{ type: 'public-key', alg: -7 }] // ES256 Algorithm
}
});
return newCredential;
};
This code requests a challenge from the server, then creates a new credential using that challenge resulting in identity assurance without passwords.
Authentication
Authentication involves the user proving possession of the registered cryptographic key, typically through facial recognition, fingerprint scanner, security key, etc.
// Example: Initiate authentication challenge
const getAuthenticationChallenge = async () => {
const response = await fetch('/get-authentication-challenge');
const challenge = await response.json();
return challenge;
};
// Example: Get credential for authentication
const getCredential = async (allowList, challenge) => {
const assertion = await navigator.credentials.get({
publicKey: {
challenge: new Uint8Array(challenge.challenge),
allowCredentials: allowList.map(({ id }) => ({ id: new Uint8Array(id), type: 'public-key' })),
userVerification: 'preferred'
}
});
return assertion;
};
This snippet demonstrates how to initiate an authentication challenge, requesting the user to verify their identity using the device's biometric system or alternative verification method.
Integrating WebAuthn in Your Application
Integrating WebAuthn into a live application involves server-side configuration and JavaScript coordination on the client side. The examples provided should be executed in the context of event handlers tied to UI components like registration and login buttons.
Backend Support
Your server must handle requests for registration and authentication challenges by processing and verifying credentials and ensuring that proper cryptographic protocols are upheld.
Advantages of Using WebAuthn
The security and user experience improvements of WebAuthn include resistance to phishing attacks, lack of reliance on unmemorable passwords, and ease of use due to biometric or hardware-token technology.
The adoption of WebAuthn leverages the increased presence of biometric readers and external security keys as safer alternatives to traditional passwords.
Conclusion
Incorporating WebAuthn for robust multi-factor authentication can significantly boost security for your applications. By using JavaScript and integrating the WebAuthn API, you can enhance user experience and protect identity with industry-standard best practices. Implementing this setup requires effort in both frontend and backend, but the end result augments safety, ensuring only authorized users have access.