A mobile single sign-on system

Master thesis 2006

Mats Byfuglien

Outline

Problem description Project description Research questions Methods Related work The prototype Results Further work

Conclusion

Problem description

Most users today have a large number of passwords to manage

This often results in: The passwords are written down Easily guessable passwords are used One password used on multiple accounts

This reduces the security passwords provide Secure passwords is still a good authentication mechanism SSO proposed as a way to improve password security

Project description

Today there are no mobile SSO solutions on the market supporting automated sign-ins.

Develop a functional prototype of a mobile SSO system that handles passwords and supports automatic sign in. A mobile phone with a Java MIDlet handles the management of

usernames and passwords Bluetooth/USB unit connected to the PC

Conduct a user test Security analysis to find what security measures should be

implemented

Research questions

1. What types of single sign-on solutions are available? 2. How secure is the Bluetooth protocol for transferring

sensitive data? 3. Is it possible to implement the proposed single sign-on

concept? 4. What security mechanisms need to be in place to assure

the security of this system? 5. How will this SSO concept be received by the users? 6. Will this SSO concept increase the users’ security level?

Methods

Literature study Technical feasibility study

Develop the prototype User test

Scenario Survey Interview

Security analysis Adversary modeling

Other SSO solutions A taxonomy lists 4 main categories:

Local pseudo SSO SSO component is on the user's computer

Proxy based pseudo SSO The user authenticates once to the proxy and the proxy handles

authentication to the services Do not require any changes to the authentication systems

True SSO User authenticates to Authentication Service Provider (ASP) once. True SSO solutions are expensive and difficult to configure correctly All systems must support the SSO solution

Local true SSO Trused component

Proxy based true SSO Kerberos

The prototype

Adversary modeling

Results from the security analysis

Four main issues were discovered: Secure the Bluetooth channel

Secure protocol on top of Bluetooth protocol

Properly authenticate the devices Digital certificates

Protect data stored on the mobile phone Encryption Split data on two devices

Confirm the integrity of software packages Digitally sign the packages

Results from the user test

28 users participated 26 rated the system above average 19 would like to use the system daily

7 did not have an opinion, 2 would not use it

24 believes the system will improve their password management

Everyone wanted a backup solution

Further work

Implement the proposed security measures Port the code to a smaller device Implement a backup solution Conduct a detailed security analysis when the security

measures are implemented Conduct a large scale user test

Allow users to test the system over time Include a largerer number of participants

Conclusion

It is possible to implement the SSO concept The system was well received by the users The system will not provide better security then other SSO solutions Mobility and easy to use functionality (no software or drivers

needed) makes the system stand out The solution might apeal to a different group then other SSO

solutions Will increase the security level of users who manages passwords

manually Enables the user to use more secure passwords

Questions?