Agent skill

implementing-saml-sso-with-okta

Implement SAML 2.0 Single Sign-On (SSO) using Okta as the Identity Provider (IdP). This skill covers end-to-end configuration of SAML authentication flows, attribute mapping, certificate management, a

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SKILL.md

Implementing SAML SSO with Okta

Overview

Implement SAML 2.0 Single Sign-On (SSO) using Okta as the Identity Provider (IdP). This skill covers end-to-end configuration of SAML authentication flows, attribute mapping, certificate management, and security hardening for enterprise SSO deployments.

Objectives

  • Configure Okta as a SAML 2.0 Identity Provider
  • Implement SP-initiated and IdP-initiated SSO flows
  • Map SAML attributes and configure assertion encryption
  • Enforce SHA-256 signatures and secure certificate rotation
  • Test SSO flows with SAML tracer tools
  • Implement Single Logout (SLO) handling

Key Concepts

SAML 2.0 Authentication Flow

  1. SP-Initiated Flow: User accesses Service Provider -> SP generates AuthnRequest -> Redirect to Okta IdP -> User authenticates -> Okta sends SAML Response -> SP validates assertion -> Access granted
  2. IdP-Initiated Flow: User authenticates at Okta -> Selects application -> Okta sends unsolicited SAML Response -> SP validates -> Access granted

Critical Security Requirements

  • SHA-256 Signatures: All SAML assertions must use SHA-256 (not SHA-1) for digital signatures
  • Assertion Encryption: Encrypt SAML assertions using AES-256 to protect attribute values in transit
  • Audience Restriction: Configure audience URI to prevent assertion replay across different SPs
  • NotBefore/NotOnOrAfter: Enforce time validity windows to prevent stale assertion usage
  • InResponseTo Validation: Verify assertion corresponds to the original AuthnRequest

Okta Application Configuration

  • Single Sign-On URL: The ACS (Assertion Consumer Service) endpoint on the SP
  • Audience URI (SP Entity ID): Unique identifier for the SP
  • Name ID Format: EmailAddress, Persistent, or Transient
  • Attribute Statements: Map Okta user profile attributes to SAML assertion attributes
  • Group Attribute Statements: Include group membership for RBAC

Implementation Steps

Step 1: Create SAML Application in Okta

  1. Navigate to Applications > Create App Integration
  2. Select SAML 2.0 as the sign-on method
  3. Configure General Settings (App Name, Logo)
  4. Set Single Sign-On URL (ACS URL)
  5. Set Audience URI (SP Entity ID)
  6. Configure Name ID Format and Application Username

Step 2: Configure Attribute Mapping

  • Map user.email to email attribute
  • Map user.firstName and user.lastName to name attributes
  • Add group attribute statements for role-based access
  • Configure attribute value formats (Basic, URI Reference, Unspecified)

Step 3: Download and Install IdP Metadata

  • Download Okta IdP metadata XML
  • Extract IdP SSO URL, IdP Entity ID, and X.509 certificate
  • Install certificate on SP side for signature validation
  • Configure SP metadata with ACS URL and Entity ID

Step 4: Implement SP-Side SAML Processing

  • Parse and validate SAML Response XML
  • Verify digital signature using IdP certificate
  • Check audience restriction, time conditions, and InResponseTo
  • Extract authenticated user identity and attributes
  • Create application session based on assertion data

Step 5: Security Hardening

  • Enforce SHA-256 for all signature operations
  • Enable assertion encryption with AES-256-CBC
  • Configure session timeout and re-authentication policies
  • Implement SAML artifact binding for sensitive deployments
  • Set up certificate rotation procedure before expiry

Step 6: Testing and Validation

  • Use SAML Tracer browser extension for debugging
  • Validate SP-initiated and IdP-initiated flows
  • Test with multiple user accounts and group memberships
  • Verify SLO functionality
  • Test certificate rotation without downtime

Security Controls

Control NIST 800-53 Description
Authentication IA-2 Multi-factor authentication through Okta
Session Management SC-23 SAML session lifetime controls
Audit Logging AU-3 Log all SSO authentication events
Certificate Management SC-17 PKI certificate lifecycle management
Access Enforcement AC-3 SAML attribute-based access control

Common Pitfalls

  • Using SHA-1 instead of SHA-256 for SAML signatures
  • Not validating InResponseTo in SAML responses (replay attacks)
  • Clock skew between IdP and SP causing assertion rejection
  • Failing to restrict audience URI allowing assertion forwarding
  • Not implementing certificate rotation before expiry causes outage

Verification

  • SAML SSO login completes successfully via SP-initiated flow
  • IdP-initiated flow correctly authenticates users
  • SAML assertions use SHA-256 signatures
  • Attribute mapping correctly populates user profile
  • Session timeout forces re-authentication
  • SLO properly terminates sessions on both IdP and SP
  • Certificate rotation tested without service interruption

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