Learn how to integrate oauth2_proxy NGINX auth_request. Our Nginx Support team is here to help you with your questions and concerns.

oauth2_proxy NGINX auth_request | Integration

Did you know that the NGINX web server uses the auth_request module to delegate authentication and authorization to an external identity provider with the oauth2_proxy tool?

This lets us secure access to our web applications with OAuth 2.0-based authentication and authorization mechanisms.

Furthermore, here is a look at how the integration works:

• Configuration:
  • First, we have to set up and configure oauth2_proxy to interact with our chosen OAuth 2.0 identity provider.
  • Next, we must configure oauth2_proxy to listen on a specific port and point it to our application’s backend server.
• NGINX Configuration:
  • Then, in the server configuration, we have to specify a protected location that requires authentication.
  • Next, use the auth_request directive to make a subrequest to the oauth2_proxy endpoint.
• Authentication Flow:
  • If a user accesses the protected location, NGINX triggers a subrequest to oauth2_proxy for authentication.
  • Next, oauth2_proxy starts the OAuth 2.0 authentication flow, which includes redirecting the user to the identity provider’s login page.
  • Then, oauth2_proxy retrieves user identity information and passes it back to NGINX.
• Access Control:
  • NGINX evaluates the response from oauth2_proxy to determine whether access should be granted.
  • If the user is authenticated and authorized, NGINX allows access to the requested resource.
• Proxy or Serve Content:

  Additionally, NGINX can act as a reverse proxy to forward the authenticated request to our application’s backend server, or it can serve static content directly.

This setup offers a secure way to implement OAuth 2.0-based authentication across our applications while using NGINX’s capabilities as a web server and reverse proxy.

Furthermore, this offloads the authentication and authorization process to oauth2_proxy, reducing the complexity of handling OAuth 2.0 flows within our application code.

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Conclusion

Today, our Support Techs demonstrated how to integrate oauth2_proxy NGINX auth_request.