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JWT refresh tokens and reauthorization

Problem Statement

Hazaar MVC currently supports JWT (JSON Web Tokens) authentication, but it lacks support for refresh tokens and reauthorization. Without these features, users need to repeatedly authenticate and obtain new JWT tokens, which can be cumbersome and less secure. There is a need to implement JWT refresh tokens and reauthorization in Hazaar MVC to enhance the user experience, security, and convenience of token-based authentication.

Who will benefit?

This feature will benefit developers and users of Hazaar MVC who utilize JWT authentication and require a seamless and secure mechanism for obtaining new tokens without the need for repetitive authentication. It will provide a more user-friendly and efficient authentication experience, especially for long-running sessions or applications that require extended user sessions.

Benefits and risks

Benefits

  • Improved user experience: JWT refresh tokens allow for automatic token renewal without requiring users to manually authenticate again.
  • Enhanced security: Refresh tokens have a longer expiration period and can be securely stored on the client-side, reducing the risk of exposing the main JWT token.
  • Longer session duration: Refresh tokens enable longer session durations without compromising security.
  • Scalability: Reauthorization support allows for the revocation of compromised tokens, adding an extra layer of security and control.

Risks

  • Implementation complexity: Adding refresh tokens and reauthorization introduces additional complexity to the authentication flow.
  • Potential token leakage: Care must be taken to ensure the secure handling and storage of refresh tokens to prevent unauthorized access.

Proposed solution

I propose implementing JWT refresh tokens and reauthorization in Hazaar MVC. The solution should include the following key features:

  • Generation and management of JWT refresh tokens.
  • Automatic token renewal using refresh tokens without requiring user intervention.
  • Reauthorization capabilities to revoke compromised tokens or enforce user access control changes.
  • Proper handling and secure storage of refresh tokens to prevent token leakage.

Examples

Many modern web frameworks and libraries support JWT refresh tokens, including popular frameworks like Django, Laravel, and Express.js. These examples demonstrate successful implementations of refresh tokens and reauthorization, providing guidance on best practices and usage patterns.

Priority/Severity

  • High (This will bring a significant increase in performance, productivity, and security)
  • Medium (This will bring improved performance, flexibility, and security)
  • Low (Minor enhancements or improvements)