OAuth 2.1

OAuth 2.1 is the next major evolution of the OAuth 2.0 authorization framework. It consolidates best practices, removes insecure legacy features, and improves security and developer experience for modern applications. Why OAuth 2.1? Since OAuth 2.0’s publication in 2012, the security landscape and application requirements have evolved significantly. OAuth 2.1 aims to: Simplify the specification by removing confusing or risky options. Enforce modern security defaults. Address common implementation mistakes. Support native apps and SPAs securely by default. Key Changes in OAuth 2.1 Removal of Implicit Flow The implicit flow is deprecated due to inherent security risks like token leakage in browser URLs. OAuth 2.1 mandates using the authorization code flow with PKCE instead. ...

OAuth 2.1 introduces refinements to enhance the security and usability of OAuth flows, especially around refresh tokens. Understanding how refresh tokens work in OAuth 2.1, their lifecycle, and best practices is essential for developers and security architects aiming to build robust authentication systems. What Are Refresh Tokens? Refresh tokens are long-lived credentials issued by the authorization server alongside access tokens. Their purpose is to obtain new access tokens without requiring the user to re-authenticate, enabling seamless user sessions. ...