Create An Elaastic User From A New OIDC User
Introduction
As the use of OpenID Connect (OIDC) authentication continues to grow, the need for seamless integration with other systems becomes increasingly important. In this article, we will explore the process of creating an Elastic user from a new OIDC user, ensuring that the data created on Elastic is associated with the user's account and can be retrieved by reconnecting with OIDC.
Description
As a new Elastic user, authenticating using OpenID Connect, you want to create an automatic account bound to your OpenID Connect identifier. This allows you to associate the data you create on Elastic with your account, making it easily retrievable by reconnecting with OIDC.
Acceptance Criteria
To ensure that the process of creating an Elastic user from a new OIDC user is successful, the following acceptance criteria must be met:
Create a New Account When There is No User for the OIDC User
When a new OIDC user attempts to create an account on Elastic, the system should automatically create a new account bound to the OIDC user's identifier. This ensures that the user's data is associated with their account and can be retrieved by reconnecting with OIDC.
Retrieve the Existing Account When There is Already a User for This OIDC User
If an OIDC user already has an account on Elastic, the system should retrieve the existing account instead of creating a new one. This prevents duplicate accounts and ensures that the user's data is correctly associated with their account.
Check the User Details Presented on the User Page
After creating or retrieving an account, the system should display the user's details on the user page. This includes the user's name, email address, and other relevant information.
Check the User Cannot Change Its Password
As an OIDC user, you should not be able to change your password on Elastic. This is because the password is managed by the OIDC provider, and any changes to the password would not be reflected on the OIDC side.
Check the User Cannot Login Using the Login Form
OIDC users should not be able to login using the Elastic login form. Instead, they should be redirected to the OIDC provider to authenticate.
Check Homonyms with Different ID Leads to Different User
To prevent duplicate accounts, the system should create a new user even if there are homonyms with different IDs. This ensures that each user has a unique account and can access their data correctly.
Technical Hint (Optional)
The same process has been implemented for CAS users (see CasUserDetailService). This highlights the importance of reusing existing code and implementing similar functionality for different authentication providers.
Implementation
To create an Elastic user from a new OIDC user, the following steps can be taken:
Step 1: Configure OIDC Settings
Configure the OIDC settings on Elastic to include the OIDC provider's URL, client ID, and client secret. This information is used to authenticate the OIDC user and create their account.
Step 2: Create a New Account
When a new OIDC user attempts to create an account on Elastic, the system should automatically create a new account bound to the OIDC user's identifier. This involves creating a new user object and associating it with the OIDC user's identifier.
Step 3: Retrieve the Existing Account
If an OIDC user already has an account on Elastic, the system should retrieve the existing account instead of creating a new one. This involves searching for the user object associated with the OIDC user's identifier and returning the existing account.
Step 4: Display User Details
After creating or retrieving an account, the system should display the user's details on the user page. This includes the user's name, email address, and other relevant information.
Step 5: Prevent Password Changes
As an OIDC user, you should not be able to change your password on Elastic. This involves disabling the password change functionality for OIDC users.
Step 6: Prevent Login Using the Login Form
OIDC users should not be able to login using the Elastic login form. Instead, they should be redirected to the OIDC provider to authenticate. This involves disabling the login form for OIDC users.
Step 7: Handle Homonyms with Different ID
To prevent duplicate accounts, the system should create a new user even if there are homonyms with different IDs. This involves creating a new user object and associating it with the OIDC user's identifier, even if there are existing users with the same name or email address.
Conclusion
Q: What is OpenID Connect (OIDC) and how does it relate to Elastic?
A: OpenID Connect (OIDC) is an authentication protocol that allows users to authenticate with an identity provider and obtain an access token that can be used to access protected resources. In the context of Elastic, OIDC is used to authenticate users and create an account on the platform.
Q: Why do I need to create an Elastic user from a new OIDC user?
A: Creating an Elastic user from a new OIDC user allows you to associate the data you create on Elastic with your account and retrieve it by reconnecting with OIDC. This ensures that your data is correctly associated with your account and can be accessed easily.
Q: What are the benefits of using OIDC with Elastic?
A: Using OIDC with Elastic provides several benefits, including:
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Users can authenticate with their OIDC provider and access Elastic without needing to create a separate account.
- Seamless Integration: OIDC allows for seamless integration with other systems and applications, making it easier to access and manage data.
- Improved Security: OIDC provides an additional layer of security by authenticating users and verifying their identity.
Q: How do I configure OIDC settings on Elastic?
A: To configure OIDC settings on Elastic, follow these steps:
- Go to the Elastic settings page and click on "OIDC" under the "Authentication" section.
- Enter the OIDC provider's URL, client ID, and client secret.
- Save the changes.
Q: What happens if an OIDC user already has an account on Elastic?
A: If an OIDC user already has an account on Elastic, the system will retrieve the existing account instead of creating a new one. This prevents duplicate accounts and ensures that the user's data is correctly associated with their account.
Q: Can OIDC users change their password on Elastic?
A: No, OIDC users cannot change their password on Elastic. The password is managed by the OIDC provider, and any changes to the password would not be reflected on the OIDC side.
Q: Can OIDC users login using the Elastic login form?
A: No, OIDC users cannot login using the Elastic login form. Instead, they should be redirected to the OIDC provider to authenticate.
Q: What happens if there are homonyms with different IDs?
A: To prevent duplicate accounts, the system will create a new user even if there are homonyms with different IDs. This ensures that each user has a unique account and can access their data correctly.
Q: How do I handle homonyms with different IDs on Elastic?
A: To handle homonyms with different IDs on Elastic, follow these steps:
- Create a new user object and associate it with the OIDC user's identifier.
- Ensure that the new user object is unique and does not conflict with existing users.
Q: What are the technical requirements for implementing OIDC with Elastic?
A: The technical requirements for implementing OIDC with Elastic include:
- OIDC provider: An OIDC provider is required to authenticate users and provide an access token.
- Elastic settings: OIDC settings must be configured on Elastic to enable OIDC authentication.
- User management: A user management system is required to manage user accounts and data.
Q: How do I troubleshoot OIDC issues on Elastic?
A: To troubleshoot OIDC issues on Elastic, follow these steps:
- Check the OIDC provider's URL, client ID, and client secret for errors.
- Verify that the OIDC settings are correctly configured on Elastic.
- Check the user management system for errors or conflicts.
By following these FAQs, you can ensure a smooth and secure implementation of OIDC with Elastic.