Authorization code flow

1. What is authorization code flow?
2. What is authorization code flow in OIDC?
3. What should the authorization code flow be used with?
4. What is the authorization code flow with PKCE?
5. What is OBO flow?
6. What is an authorization code?
7. How is authorization code generated?
8. Who generates authorization code?
9. Why is authorization code flow more secure?
10. What is the advantage of authorization code flow?
11. What is the difference between implicit flow and authorization code flow?
12. What is the difference between implicit and authorization code flow?
13. What is the advantage of authorization code flow?
14. What does code flow mean?
15. What is the difference between implicit and authorization code flow?
16. What is the difference between implicit flow and authorization code flow?
17. Why is authorization code flow more secure?
18. Why is authorization code needed?
19. What is the difference between client credentials and authorization code flow?

What is authorization code flow?

The OAuth 2.0 authorization code grant type, or auth code flow, enables a client application to obtain authorized access to protected resources like web APIs. The auth code flow requires a user-agent that supports redirection from the authorization server (the Microsoft identity platform) back to your application.

What is authorization code flow in OIDC?

For OIDC, the authorization code flow returns an authorization code to the Relying Party, which can then directly exchange it for an ID token and access token. This mechanism provides the benefit of not exposing any tokens to the browser or end-user.

What should the authorization code flow be used with?

For most cases, we recommend using the Authorization Code Flow with PKCE because the Access Token is not exposed on the client side, and this flow can return Refresh Tokens. To learn more about how this flow works and how to implement it, see Authorization Code Flow with Proof Key for Code Exchange (PKCE).

What is the authorization code flow with PKCE?

The Authorization Code Flow + PKCE is an OpenId Connect flow specifically designed to authenticate native or mobile application users. This flow is considered best practice when using Single Page Apps (SPA) or Mobile Apps. PKCE, pronounced “pixy” is an acronym for Proof Key for Code Exchange.

What is OBO flow?

The on-behalf-of (OBO) flow describes the scenario of a web API using an identity other than its own to call another web API. Referred to as delegation in OAuth, the intent is to pass a user's identity and permissions through the request chain.

What is an authorization code?

An authorization code is an alphanumeric password that authorizes its user to purchase, sell or transfer items, or to enter information into a security-protected space.

How is authorization code generated?

The authorization code is a temporary code that the client will exchange for an access token. The code itself is obtained from the authorization server where the user gets a chance to see what the information the client is requesting, and approve or deny the request.

Who generates authorization code?

A credit card authorization code comes in the form of five or six numbers. The code gets generated by the issuing bank, and it's used to validate credit cards and approve the purchase when a transaction is initiated. Authorization codes are unique to each transaction.

Why is authorization code flow more secure?

Compare to implicit flow, authorization code flow is more secure since we exchange tokens in back-channel. In the example above, the website's server exchange tokens with Google's server. This process happens in back-channel and tokens are not exposed to the front-end side.

What is the advantage of authorization code flow?

The authorization code flow returns an authorization code to the Relying Party, which can then directly exchange it for an ID token and access token. This mechanism provides the benefit of not exposing any tokens to the browser or end-user.

What is the difference between implicit flow and authorization code flow?

What are the differences between code flow (with PKCE) and implicit flow? The differences are that the code flow (with PKCE) uses indirection/backchannel to option the tokens (access and id token) and implicit flow will get it directly on the redirect/front channel.

What is the difference between implicit and authorization code flow?

Authorization code flow - User logs in from client app, authorization server returns an authorization code to the app. The app then exchanges the authorization code for access token. Implicit grant flow - User logs in from client app, authorization server issues an access token to the client app directly.

What is the advantage of authorization code flow?

The authorization code flow returns an authorization code to the Relying Party, which can then directly exchange it for an ID token and access token. This mechanism provides the benefit of not exposing any tokens to the browser or end-user.

What does code flow mean?

The code flow is a message exchange pattern used by web-based applications. These apps are ones that have a backend or use a traditional approach to web application development. Because such applications reside on a server, it is feasible to issue the client a secret or other kind of credential which it can keep safe.

What is the difference between implicit and authorization code flow?

Authorization code flow - User logs in from client app, authorization server returns an authorization code to the app. The app then exchanges the authorization code for access token. Implicit grant flow - User logs in from client app, authorization server issues an access token to the client app directly.

What is the difference between implicit flow and authorization code flow?

What are the differences between code flow (with PKCE) and implicit flow? The differences are that the code flow (with PKCE) uses indirection/backchannel to option the tokens (access and id token) and implicit flow will get it directly on the redirect/front channel.

Why is authorization code flow more secure?

Compare to implicit flow, authorization code flow is more secure since we exchange tokens in back-channel. In the example above, the website's server exchange tokens with Google's server. This process happens in back-channel and tokens are not exposed to the front-end side.

Why is authorization code needed?

The authorization code proves to the authorization server that the client requesting a token is permitted to do so. The user consents that the client can access the resource before the authorization server passes the code. Single-page apps cannot leverage it unless they use the Proof Key of Code Exchange (PKCE).

What is the difference between client credentials and authorization code flow?

Unlike the Authorization Code grant, the Client Credentials grant is used when access is being requested on behalf of an application, not a user. As a result, configuring authentication with Client Credentials has fewer steps. This standard lays out the sequence of steps involved with the Authorization Code grant.