OIDC Module - Configuration

This guide summarizes key configuration topics for the OIDC module. It complements the inline comments in config/module_oidc.php .

Caching protocol artifacts

The configured database is the primary storage for protocol artifacts: access tokens, authorization codes, refresh tokens, clients, and user records. In production, you should also configure a cache in front of the DB to improve performance during traffic spikes.

Caching uses Symfony Cache, so any compatible adapter can be used. See the module_oidc.php configuration file for adapter selection and parameters.

Relying Party (RP) administration

The module provides a UI to manage clients (create, read, update, delete). After you create the database schema, go to the SimpleSAMLphp admin area:

Notes:

Cron integration

Enable and configure the SimpleSAMLphp cron module to purge expired tokens: cron

Endpoint locations and well-known URLs

After deployment, visit the SimpleSAMLphp admin area:

There you can see discovery URLs. Typical discovery endpoints are:

You may publish these as ".well-known" URLs at the web root using your web server. For example, for openid-configuration :

nginx: 

location = /.well-known/openid-configuration {
    rewrite ^(.*)$ /simplesaml/module.php/oidc/.well-known/openid-configuration break;
    proxy_pass https://localhost;
}

Apache: 

RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^/.well-known/openid-configuration(.*) \
  /simplesaml/module.php/oidc/.well-known/openid-configuration$1 [PT]

Key rollover

You can configure an additional key pair to publish via JWKS endpoints or properties. This lets RPs pre-fetch the new public key before you switch signing to the new private key. Once RPs have cached the new JWKS, you can perform the key switch.

Apache Authorization header note

Apache may strip the Authorization header (Bearer) from requests (a known issue ).

Although the module includes a fallback, it has performance implications. Configure Apache to preserve the header using one of these snippets: 

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP:Authorization} .+
RewriteRule .* - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization}]

or 

SetEnvIf Authorization "(.*)" HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=$1

If not set, you will see warnings about this in the logs.

Private scopes

The module supports the standard scopes: openid , email , address , phone , and profile . You can add private scopes in module_oidc.php : 

<?php

$config = [
    \SimpleSAML\Module\oidc\ModuleConfig::OPTION_AUTH_CUSTOM_SCOPES => [
        'private' => [
            'description' => 'private scope',
            'claim_name_prefix' => '',
            'are_multiple_claim_values_allowed' => false,
            'attributes' => ['national_document_id'],
        ],
    ],
];

Attribute translation

Default SAML-to-OIDC claim mapping follows the REFEDS guidance .

You can change or extend this mapping in module_oidc.php . Example: 

<?php

$config = [
    \SimpleSAML\Module\oidc\ModuleConfig::OPTION_AUTH_SAML_TO_OIDC_TRANSLATE_TABLE => [
        // Overwrite default mapping
        'sub' => [
            'uid',
            'eduPersonPrincipalName',
            'eduPersonTargetedID',
            'eduPersonUniqueId',
        ],
        // Remove default mapping by setting an empty array
        'family_name' => [],

        // New claim created from SAML attribute
        'national_document_id' => [
            'schacPersonalUniqueId',
        ],
    ],
];

Auth Proc filters (OIDC)

Standard SAML Auth Proc Filters do not run during OIDC authN because not all SAML entities are present (like a Service Provider). Instead, use the authproc.oidc configuration option to define filters specific to OIDC.

The OIDC authN state does not include all keys present in SAML authN. Available SAML-like keys include:

Source and Destination entity IDs correspond to OP issuer and Client ID:

Additional OIDC data in the state:

Example filter configuration: 

<?php

$config = [
    \SimpleSAML\Module\oidc\ModuleConfig::OPTION_AUTH_PROCESSING_FILTERS => [
        50 => [
            'class' => 'core:AttributeAdd',
            'groups' => ['users', 'members'],
        ],
    ],
];

Client registration permissions

You can allow users to register their own clients. Control this via the permissions setting in module_oidc.php .

Permissions expose functionality to specific users. In the following example, a user's eduPersonEntitlement is examined. To perform an action requiring the client permission (register/edit/delete a client) the user needs one of the listed entitlements. 

<?php

$config = [
    \SimpleSAML\Module\oidc\ModuleConfig::OPTION_ADMIN_UI_PERMISSIONS => [
        'attribute' => 'eduPersonEntitlement',
        'client' => ['urn:example:oidc:manage:client'],
    ],
];

Users can visit the following link for administration: