majiayu000 Auth0 Security Specialist
Comprehensive security skill for Auth0 implementations covering attack protection, multi-factor authentication, token security, sender constraining (DPoP/mTLS), and regulatory compliance (FAPI, GDPR, HIPAA).
Quick Reference
Security Feature Categories
Attack Protection:
- Bot Detection: CAPTCHA challenges for suspicious traffic
- Breached Password Detection: Blocks compromised credentials
- Brute Force Protection: Limits failed login attempts per account
- Suspicious IP Throttling: Rate limits high-velocity attacks
Multi-Factor Authentication:
- Push notifications via Auth0 Guardian
- One-time passwords (TOTP)
- WebAuthn with security keys and biometrics
- SMS/voice verification and Adaptive MFA
Token Security:
- JWT structure and validation
- Access token management with scopes
- Refresh token rotation and expiration
- Token revocation strategies
Sender Constraining:
- DPoP: Application-layer token binding
- mTLS: Transport-layer certificate binding
Compliance: FAPI, GDPR, HIPAA/HITECH, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2
Dashboard Navigation
Attack Protection: Dashboard > Security > Attack Protection MFA Configuration: Dashboard > Security > Multi-factor Auth Security Center: Dashboard > Security > Security Center
Essential Setup Checklist
- Enable Bot Detection with appropriate sensitivity
- Activate Breached Password Detection
- Configure Brute Force Protection thresholds
- Enable Suspicious IP Throttling
- Set up at least one MFA factor
- Configure token expiration policies
Implementation Guide
Attack Protection
Bot Detection: Navigate to Dashboard > Security > Attack Protection > Bot Detection. Configure sensitivity (Low/Medium/High) and response type (Auth Challenge recommended, Simple CAPTCHA, or third-party). IP AllowList supports up to 100 adddesses/CIDR ranges.
Supported flows: Universal Login, Classic Login, Lock.js v12.4.0+, native apps. Unsupported: Enterprise connections, social login, cross-origin authentication.
Breached Password Detection: Enable for signup and login. Response actions include blocking compromised credentials and user/admin notifications. Standard Detection has 7-13 months detection time; Credential Guard (Enterprise) reduces to 12-36 hours. Test with passwords starting with AUTH0-TEST-.
Brute Force Protection: Default threshold is 10 failed attempts (configurable 1-100). Protection mechanisms include IP-based blocking and account lockout. Blocks remove after 30 days, password change, admin removal, or user unblock link.
Suspicious IP Throttling: Velocity-based detection for high-volume attacks. Responds with HTTP 429. Configure separate thresholds for login (daily) and signup (per minute) attempts.
For details: modules/attack-protection-overview.md
Multi-Factor Authentication
Factor Configuration: Navigate to Dashboard > Security > Multi-factor Auth.
Independent Factors (at least one required):
- WebAuthn with FIDO Security Keys
- One-time Password (OTP/TOTP)
- Push Notifications via Auth0 Guardian
- Phone Message (SMS/Voice)
- Cisco Duo Security
Dependent Factors: WebAuthn Biometrics, Email, Recovery codes
MFA Policies: Never, Use Adaptive MFA (Enterprise), Always
WebAuthn: Provides passwordless MFA with security keys or biometrics. Single interaction for multi-factor authentication, phishing-resistant.
Adaptive MFA (Enterprise): Evaluates risk signals per transaction:
- NewDevice: Device not used in past 30 days
- ImpossibleTravel: Geographic anomalies
- UntrustedIP: Suspicious activity history
High-risk transactions require verification regardless of existing MFA sessions.
Step-Up Authentication: Enhanced verification for sensitive operations. APIs use scopes; web apps verify ID token claims.
For details: modules/mfa-overview.md, modules/adaptive-mfa.md
Token Security
JWT Fundamentals: RFC 7519 standard. Auth0 issues signed JWTs (JWS). Structure includes Header, Payload (claims), and Signature. Always validate signatures, never store sensitive data in payloads, use HTTPS only.
Access Tokens: Authorize API access with scopes. Types: Opaque (require introspection) and JWT (self-contained). Key claims: iss, sub, aud, scope, exp. Default lifetime: 86400 seconds (24 hours).
Refresh Tokens: Enable session continuity. Maximum 200 active per user per application. Security features: Rotation (invalidates predecessor), expiring tokens (idle/absolute), revocation via Management API.
Best Practices:
- Treat signing keys as critical credentials
- Prefer RS256 over HS256 for public key validation
- Store tokens server-side when possible
- Cache and reuse until expiration
For details: modules/tokens-overview.md, modules/token-best-practices.md
Sender Constraining
DPoP (Application Layer): Binds tokens to client-generated asymmetric key pairs.
Steps: Generate key pair (ES256 recommended), create DPoP Proof JWT, send via DPoP header, include updated proof with each API request.
Proof JWT Structure:
- Header: typ (dpop+jwt), alg, jwk (public key)
- Payload: jti, htm, htu, iat, ath (for API calls)
Public clients must handle use_dpop_nonce errors.
mTLS (Transport Layer): Binds tokens to X.509 certificates.
Process: Client establishes mTLS connection, Auth0 calculates certificate SHA-256 thumbprint, embeds in token cnf claim as x5t#S256. Resource server validates thumbprint.
Requirements: Confidential clients only, Enterprise Plan with HRI add-on, PKI infrastructure.
For details: modules/dpop-implementation.md, modules/mtls-sender-constraining.md
Compliance
Highly Regulated Identity (Enterprise + HRI add-on):
- Strong Customer Authentication: Minimum two independent factors
- Dynamic Linking: Transaction details in authorization
- PAR: Pushed Authorization Requests
- JAR: JWT-Secured Authorization Requests
- JWE: Access token encryption
- Private Key JWT and mTLS authentication
GDPR Compliance:
- Customer as Data Controller, Auth0 as Data Processor
- User rights: Access, portability (JSON export), erasure, consent management
- Security: Profile encryption, breach detection, brute-force protection
Certifications: ISO 27001/27017/27018, SOC 2 Type 2, CSA STAR, FAPI 1 Advanced OP, HIPAA BAA available, PCI DSS compliant models
For details: modules/highly-regulated-identity.md, modules/gdpr-compliance.md
Advanced Patterns
Security Center Monitoring
Access from Dashboard > Security > Security Center.
Threat Categories:
- Credential Stuffing: Machine-driven compromise attempts
- Signup Attacks: Automated account creation
- MFA Bypass: Circumvention attempts
Filtering: Time period (up to 14 days), applications, connections. Auto-aggregation by minute/hour/day.
Metrics: Bot detection counts, IP throttling events, brute force triggers, breached password alerts, MFA success/failure rates.
Application Credentials
Client Secret (Default): Symmetric, simple but vulnerable to interception.
Private Key JWT (Enterprise): Asymmetric key pairs, private key never transmitted, short-lived assertions. Recommended for enhanced security.
mTLS for OAuth (HRI): X.509 certificates, strongest protection.
Key Management: Register up to two public keys for zero-downtime rotation. Algorithms: RS256, RS384, PS256.
Continuous Session Protection
Use Auth0 Actions for session context during token refresh events.
Capabilities: IP/ASN monitoring, device tracking, expiration management, anomaly detection.
Dynamic management: Customize lifetimes by user attributes, organization, or role.
Module Reference
Attack Protection:
- modules/attack-protection-overview.md
- modules/bot-detection.md
- modules/breached-password-detection.md
- modules/brute-force-protection.md
- modules/suspicious-ip-throttling.md
- modules/akamai-integration.md
- modules/attack-protection-log-events.md
- modules/state-parameters.md
MFA:
- modules/mfa-overview.md
- modules/mfa-factors.md
- modules/webauthn-fido.md
- modules/adaptive-mfa.md
- modules/guardian-configuration.md
- modules/step-up-authentication.md
- modules/mfa-api-management.md
- modules/customize-mfa.md
- modules/ropg-flow-mfa.md
Tokens:
- modules/tokens-overview.md
- modules/jwt-fundamentals.md
- modules/id-tokens.md
- modules/access-tokens.md
- modules/delegation-tokens.md
- modules/refresh-tokens.md
- modules/token-revocation.md
- modules/token-best-practices.md
Sender Constraining:
- modules/dpop-implementation.md
- modules/mtls-sender-constraining.md
Compliance:
- modules/compliance-overview.md
- modules/fapi-implementation.md
- modules/highly-regulated-identity.md
- modules/gdpr-compliance.md
- modules/certifications.md
- modules/tenant-access-control.md
- modules/customer-managed-keys.md
Security Operations:
- modules/security-center.md
- modules/application-credentials.md
- modules/continuous-session-protection.md
- modules/security-guidance.md
- modules/mdl-verification.md
Usage Guide
This skill provides comprehensive Auth0 security guidance. Use it for:
- Attack Protection configuration
- Multi-Factor Authentication setup
- Token security implementation
- Sender constraining (DPoP/mTLS)
- Compliance verification (FAPI, GDPR, HIPAA)
For comprehensive security reviews, use the expert-security agent included in this plugin.
Resources
Official Documentation: