Member-only story
Inside the Latest Attacks on Single Sign-On (SSO): Risks and Real-World Cases
Introduction: The Dual Edge of Convenience and Risk in SSO
Single Sign-On (SSO) systems are widely adopted today, allowing users to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials. By centralizing the login process, SSO simplifies access while streamlining user experience. However, with this convenience comes the risk: if an attacker gains access to one SSO credential, they potentially gain access to a suite of connected applications.
How SSO Works: Simplifying Access, But At a Cost
SSO operates by centralizing the authentication process using protocols like SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language), OAuth, and OpenID Connect. When users sign into an application using SSO, they’re redirected to a centralized authentication server. After a successful login, the server sends an authentication token to the app, allowing seamless access without repeated logins.
Current Attack Vectors Targeting SSO Systems
- Token Hijacking
