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Authentication and Authorization in PHP: Access Control Lists

This document discusses authentication and authorization in PHP using access control lists (ACLs). It defines ACLs as permissions attached to an object that specify which users are granted access and what operations they are allowed to perform. The document outlines some key advantages of ACLs, including that they are conceptually simple, granular, and don't require much computing overhead. It also notes some disadvantages like increased difficulty of management for larger organizations. Finally, it provides a conceptual example of an ACL and discusses implementing ACLs in PHP, including using parent role lists, assertions, and callbacks.

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79 views31 pages

Authentication and Authorization in PHP: Access Control Lists

This document discusses authentication and authorization in PHP using access control lists (ACLs). It defines ACLs as permissions attached to an object that specify which users are granted access and what operations they are allowed to perform. The document outlines some key advantages of ACLs, including that they are conceptually simple, granular, and don't require much computing overhead. It also notes some disadvantages like increased difficulty of management for larger organizations. Finally, it provides a conceptual example of an ACL and discusses implementing ACLs in PHP, including using parent role lists, assertions, and callbacks.

Uploaded by

marcelo.cunha.ti3163
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Authentication and Authorization in PHP

ACCESS CONTROL LISTS

Matthew Setter
PHP SECURITY ENGINEER
@settermjd matthewsetter.com
Module Overview
– Learn about Access Control Lists
– What they are
– How they work
– Their advantages and disadvantages
– How to implement them in PHP
What Are Access Control Lists?
“Access Control Lists refers to the
permissions attached to an object that
specify which users are granted access to
that object and the operations it is allowed
to perform. Each entry in an access control
list specifies the subject and an associated
operation that is permitted to perform.”
Access Control Lists - Techopedia
“Is a means of restricting access to information
based on the identity of users and/or membership
in certain groups. Access decisions are typically
based on the authorizations granted to a user
based on the credentials they presented at the
time of authentication. In most typical DAC
models, the owner of the information or any
resource can change its permissions at their
discretion.”
Discretionary Access Control - OWASP
– Quickly audit user permissions
Access Control – Know what users should not be able to do
List Key – Used for years in computer security

Advantages – Used in the major operating systems


– Used in network security
Core Concepts

Roles Resources Rights


Core Concepts

Roles Resources Rights


Core Concepts

Roles Resources Rights


Core Concepts

Roles Resources Rights


Owner Group
Roles Users / System
Processes

Resources Objects

Rights Operations
Quick ACL Demonstration

User Object Permission


Quick ACL Demonstration

User Object Permission

Paul User Login, Logout, Manage Own Account


Quick ACL Demonstration

User Object Permission

Paul User Login, Logout, Manage Account

Login, Logout, Manage Own Account,


Mary User
Suspend User, Change Password
Quick ACL Demonstration

User Object Permission

Paul User Login, Logout, Manage Account

Login, Logout, Manage Account, Suspend User,


Mary User
Change Password

Login, Logout, Manage Account, Suspend User,


Terri User
Change Password, Add User, Edit User, Delete User
Quick ACL Demonstration

User Object Permission

Paul User Login, Logout, Manage Account

Login, Logout, Manage Account, Suspend User,


Mary User
Change Password

Login, Logout, Manage Account, Suspend User,


Terri User
Change Password, Add User, Edit User, Delete User

Peter User All Permissions


Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages

– They are conceptually simple


– Relatively simple to create and manage
– Quite granular in nature
– Don’t require a lot of computing overhead
Disadvantages

– Suitable for smaller organizations


– The larger they are the more difficult they
are to manage
Quick Recap
– Access Control List essentials
– ACLs are a form of Discretionary Access
Control
– Advantages and disadvantages
– Saw a conceptual Access Control List
Up Next:
Implementing Access Control Lists in PHP
Implementing Access Control Lists in PHP
The Parent Roles List is a LIFO Stack

[ Fourth Parent Third Parent Second Parent First Parent ]


The Parent Roles List is a LIFO Stack

[ Fourth Parent Third Parent Second Parent First Parent ]


The Parent Roles List is a LIFO Stack

[ Fourth Parent Third Parent Second Parent First Parent ]


Dynamic Assertions

Ownership Assertions
Ensure that a resource is owned by a given role

Expression Assertions
Check if a property on a role equates to a property on a resource

Callback Assertions
Use custom logic to determine if a permission should be granted
Module Recap
Module Recap
– Learned about Access Control Lists
– What they are
– How they work
– Advantages and disadvantages
– How to implement them in PHP
Up Next:
Role-based Access Control

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