Boost API Security: Tokens With Scopes & Allow Lists
Hey everyone! Let's dive into a really cool update that's all about making your API tokens way more secure and flexible. We're talking about enhancements to how we create, list, and update API tokens, all while introducing the power of scopes and allow lists. This is a game-changer for anyone dealing with APIs, especially those focused on robust security and granular control. So, let's break down what's new, why it matters, and how it works. This is a must-know for all the coders and coder enthusiasts out there!
The Core Idea: Scopes and Allow Lists Explained
Okay, so what's the big deal? Well, imagine you could give your API tokens superpowers – but in a controlled way. That's where scopes come in. Think of scopes as the specific permissions a token has. For example, you might have a scope for reading data, another for writing data, and maybe even one for administrative tasks. By assigning scopes, you ensure that a token can only do what it's supposed to do. This is awesome for minimizing the impact of any potential security breaches because a compromised token can only access what its scope allows. Now, let’s get into the allow lists. Think of allow lists as a bouncer at a club. You want to limit where these tokens can be used, right? The allow list specifies the allowed IP addresses or networks from which a token can be used. If someone tries to use a token from outside the allowed list, it's a no-go. This adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for unauthorized users to access your API, even if they have a valid token. We've extended the API token management endpoints to accept and return scopes: string[] and allow_list: string[]. This gives us finer control over token permissions. The scopes: string[] specifies the operations a token is authorized to perform (e.g., read, write, admin), and allow_list: string[] defines the network locations from which the token is valid. This allows for better access control and security.
This is a huge leap forward in terms of security. Before, API tokens were like master keys. Now, with scopes and allow lists, you can have a highly specific key that only opens certain doors, and only if the person is standing in the right place. It's all about the principle of least privilege – giving tokens only the access they absolutely need.
Scopes and Allow Lists: The Dynamic Duo of API Security
Alright, let's get a bit more technical. When creating a token, you'll now be able to specify a list of scopes. These scopes are pre-defined and represent specific actions the token is allowed to perform. Think of it like choosing the specific tools a worker is allowed to use on a construction site. The token's functionality is limited to the scopes it's assigned. Also, you can define allow_list for the token. This allows the token to be used only from specific IP addresses or networks. This is like restricting the worker's access to a specific location. These features are available in coderd/apikey.go handlers and request/response types. We have ensured that we validate the requested scopes against a catalog of available options. If someone tries to request a scope that doesn't exist, the system will reject it. This prevents typos or attempts to use non-existent permissions. We've added authorization tests to ensure that users can't create tokens with elevated scopes. It means a token can't have more permissions than the user has. This prevents privilege escalation and unauthorized access to critical functionalities. We've made sure that the new request and response formats are accurately reflected in the generated API documentation (docs/reference/api/*). This ensures that developers have the correct information for integrating with the updated API.
Diving into the Technical Details
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how this all works. In coderd/apikey.go, we've updated the handlers and request/response types to handle the new scopes and allow_list parameters. When you create a new API token, you'll be able to specify the scopes you want to assign to it. The system will then validate these scopes against a predefined catalog to ensure they are valid and that the user has the necessary permissions to assign them. We're really keen on making sure everything works smoothly and securely. If you try to create a token with scopes you're not authorized to use, the request will be rejected. This is to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive functions. The allow list works similarly. When creating or updating a token, you can specify a list of allowed IP addresses or networks. The token will only be valid when used from these locations. This adds an additional layer of security and helps to prevent unauthorized usage from unknown sources. We have made sure our API documentation is up to date. We've updated Swagger annotations to reflect the new request and response shapes. This ensures the generated API documentation in docs/reference/api/* is always accurate and easy to understand. This is incredibly helpful for developers who are integrating with the API.
Enhancing API Token Management
We've introduced new features to enhance API token management. The first is the ability to assign scopes to API tokens. Scopes are essentially permission sets. For example, you could define scopes like