Trying to add refresh token logic in next-auth | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

This content discusses creating refresh token functionality in Next.js for improved security.

Key Insights

• 👤 The implementation addresses a significant gap in NextAuth's default capabilities regarding refresh tokens, which is critical for secure user sessions.
• ❓ By creating a database schema for refresh tokens, the author demonstrates how to manage expiration and renewals securely and systematically.
• 👻 The design allows for easy invalidation of refresh tokens, providing a security measure against potential token theft or unauthorized access.
• 🔒 The session management strategy integrates both access and refresh tokens with different expiration strategies to maximize both usability and security.
• ❓ The content encourages feedback and improvement in the implementation, inviting collaboration and sharing of better solutions.
• 🕸️ The practicality of storing tokens in a safe manner remains a topic of concern, stressing the importance of security in web applications.
• 👤 There is an emphasis on maintaining a balance between user experience and stringent security measures, essential for modern applications.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Why are refresh tokens important in an authentication system?

Refresh tokens are crucial because they allow users to maintain a session without needing to log in each time their access token expires. They enhance security by enabling session management and ensuring still-valid access tokens can be obtained without repeated logins. This is particularly useful for applications where user experience is a priority.

Q: How does the manual refresh token implementation work in Next.js according to the author?

The author describes implementing a refresh token that gets created upon user login. This token is stored in a refresh tokens table with an expiration timestamp of 10 days. The access token has a shorter lifespan, expiring every 10 minutes, requiring the use of the refresh token to obtain a new one.

Q: What happens if someone’s refresh token is compromised?

In the event of a compromised refresh token, the author can easily invalidate it by deleting it from the database. This action ensures that even if an access token is compromised, it will expire after its short lifespan, thus requiring the user to log in again to regenerate a new access token.

Q: What are the security concerns with storing access and refresh tokens in cookies?

Storing tokens in cookies can pose risks if the access token is compromised, as it can lead to access to the refresh token as well. This is problematic in setups where both tokens are stored together, making it vital to establish secure cookie settings, such as HTTP-only flags and potential segregation of token types.

Q: Can you explain the expiration management for tokens in this setup?

The access token is set to expire every 10 minutes, while the refresh token lasts for 10 days. When the access token expires, the system checks if a valid refresh token exists. If it does, a new access token is generated; if not, the session is terminated, prompting the user to reauthenticate.

Q: What adjustments did the author make when testing the refresh token functionality?

During tests, the author adjusted the refresh token expiration checks and access token expiration to every 5 seconds to observe how the system behaves with token expiration. This allowed them to verify that the access token refresh process worked effectively and consistently as intended.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The discussion focuses on the limitations of NextAuth regarding refresh tokens and details a manual approach implemented to enhance security.

• The author explains their method of managing refresh tokens in a database, including expiration and renewal processes that keep access secure.

• Emphasizing the potential vulnerabilities, the author also highlights best practices for token storage while discussing the integration into their starter kit for users.