Password-Based Authentication Security Pattern

A subject proves identity by providing a correct identifier (username/email) and corresponding password. Relies on the assumption that only the actual owner knows the correct password.

Core Components

Role	Type	Responsibility
Subject	Entity	Provides identifier and password
Enforcer	Enforcement Point	Ensures authentication before action processing
Verification Manager	Entity	Collects inputs for password verification
Comparator	Decision Point	Compares hash values
Hasher	Cryptographic Primitive	Calculates hash values
Password Store	Storage	Keeps hash values for registered identities
Registrar	Entity	Handles subject registration
Resetter	Entity	Handles credential reset
Password Policy	Information Point	Rules passwords must satisfy
SRNG	Cryptographic Primitive	Secure random number generator

Data Elements

• id: Identifier (username, email)
• pwd: Password provided by Subject
• hash(pwd): Hash value of password
• salt: Random value unique per Subject
• pepper: System-wide secret for additional protection

Password Hashing

Required Approach

1. Use modern password hashing algorithms: Argon2, scrypt, bcrypt, or PBKDF2
2. Never use general-purpose hash functions (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256) alone
3. Always use salting (typically automatic with modern algorithms)

Salting

• Add random string unique per Subject before hashing
• Ensures identical passwords produce different hashes
• Salt stored in plaintext alongside hash
• Modern algorithms handle salt automatically

Peppering (Optional)

• System-wide secret added before hashing
• Stored separately from password store
• Provides additional protection if password store is compromised

Registration Flow

Three approaches for credential determination:

1. Subject provides identifier and password
2. Subject provides identifier; Registrar selects password
3. Registrar selects both identifier and password

Upon completion:

• Password Store contains: identifier, hash(salted password), salt
• Subject possesses: identifier and password

Password Policy

Enforce policies including:

• Minimum/maximum length
• Character requirements
• Common password blacklist
• Breach database checking

Password Reset

1. Verify Subject identity through out-of-band channel
2. Generate time-limited reset token
3. Never reveal whether account exists
4. Invalidate existing sessions after reset
5. Force re-authentication

Security Considerations

Password Store Protection

• Encrypt at rest
• Restrict access
• Monitor for breaches
• Detect tampering

Identifier Security

• Don't rely on identifier secrecy
• Prevent enumeration attacks
• Use consistent timing for valid/invalid identifiers

Verification Timing

• Use constant-time comparison
• Prevent timing attacks

Implementation Checklist

• Using Argon2/scrypt/bcrypt/PBKDF2
• Automatic salting enabled
• Password policy enforced
• Secure reset flow implemented
• Rate limiting on login attempts
• Constant-time hash comparison
• No credential logging

References

• Source: https://securitypatterns.distrinet-research.be/patterns/01_01_002__authentication_pwd/
• OWASP Password Storage Cheat Sheet