KERBEROS WORKING GROUP Johansson
Internet-Draft SUNET
Intended status: Standards Track Nov 13, 2010
Expires: May 17, 2011
An information model for Kerberos version 5
draft-ietf-krb-wg-kdc-model-09
Abstract
This document describes an information model for Kerberos version 5
from the point of view of an administrative service. There is no
standard for administrating a kerberos 5 KDC. This document
describes the services exposed by an administrative interface to a
KDC.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. Requirements notation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3. Information model demarcation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4. Information model specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4.1. Principal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4.1.1. Principal: Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4.1.2. Principal: Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2. KeySet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2.1. KeySet: Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2.2. KeySet: Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2.3. KeySet: Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.3. Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.3.1. Key: Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.3.2. Key: Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3.3. Key: Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.4. Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.4.1. Policy: Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.4.2. Mandatory-to-implement Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5. Implementation Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.1. LDAP backend to KDC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.2. LDAP frontend to KDC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.3. SOAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.4. Netconf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
8. Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
9.1. Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
9.2. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
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1. Introduction
The Kerberos version 5 authentication service described in [RFC4120]
describes how a Key Distribution Center (KDC) provides authentication
to clients. The standard does not stipulate how a KDC is managed and
several "kadmin" servers have evolved. This document describes the
services required to administer a KDC and the underlying information
model assumed by a kadmin-type service.
The information model is written in terms of "attributes" and
"services" or "interfaces" but the use of these particular words must
not be taken to imply any particular modeling paradigm. Neither an
object oriented model nor an LDAP schema is intended. The author has
attempted to describe in natural language the intended semantics and
syntax of the components of the model. An LDAP schema (for instance)
based on this model will be more precise in the expression of the
syntax while preserving the semantics of this model.
Implementations of this document MAY decide to change the names used
(e.g. principalName). If so an implementation MUST provide a name to
name mapping to this document.
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2. Requirements notation
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC2119].
This document describes an information model for kerberos 5 but does
not directly describe any mapping onto a particular schema- or
modelling language. Hence an implementation of this model consists
of a mapping to such a language - e.g. an LDAP or SQL schema. The
precise interpretation of terms from [RFC2119] therefore require some
extra explanation.
The terms MUST, MUST NOT, REQUIRED, SHALL, SHALL NOT mean that an
implementation MUST provide a feature but does not mean that this
feature MUST be REQUIRED by the implementation - e.g. an attribute is
available in an LDAP schema but marked as OPTIONAL. If a feature
must be implemented and REQUIRED this is made explicit in this model.
The term MAY, OPTIONAL and RECOMMENDED means that an implementation
MAY need to REQUIRE the feature due to the particular nature of the
schema/modelling language. In some cases this is expressly forbidden
by this model (feature X MUST NOT be REQUIRED by an implementation).
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3. Information model demarcation
The information model specified in the next chapter describes
objects, properties of those objects and relations between those
objects. These elements comprise an abstract view of the data
represented in a KDC. It is important to understand that the
information model is not a schema. In particular the way objects are
compared for equality beyond that which is implied by the
specification of a syntax is not part of this specification. Nor is
ordering specified between elements of a particular syntax.
Further work on Kerberos will undoubtedly prompt updates to this
information model to reflect changes in the functions performed by
the KDC. Such extensions to the information model should always use
a normative reference to the relevant RFCs detailing the change in
KDC function.
This model describes a number of elements related to password policy
management. Not all of the elements in this model are unique to
Kerberos; an LDAP implementation of this model should incorporate
existing LDAP schema where functional overlap exists, rather than
defining additional Kerberos-specific elements.
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4. Information model specification
4.1. Principal
The fundamental entity stored in a KDC is the principal. The
principal is associated to keys and generalizes the "user" concept.
The principal MUST be implemented in full and MUST NOT be optional in
an implementation
4.1.1. Principal: Attributes
4.1.1.1. principalName
The principalName MUST uniquely identify the principal within the
administrative context of the KDC. The principalName MUST be
equivalent to the string representation of the principal name
including, if applicable for the name type, the realm.
The attribute MAY be multi-valued if the implementation supports
aliases and/or enterprise names. In that case exactly one of the
principalName values MAY be designated the canonical principalName
and if the implementation supports enctypes which require salt then
exactly one of the values of principalName MAY be designated as the
canonical salting principalName.
Implementations (i.e. schema) that support enterprise names and/or
aliases SHOULD provide for efficient lookup of principal objects
based on alias/enterprise name.
4.1.1.2. principalNotUsedBefore
The principal may not be used before this date. The syntax of the
attribute MUST be semantically equivalent with the standard ISO date
format. The attribute MUST be single-valued.
4.1.1.3. principalNotUsedAfter
The principal may not be used after this date. The syntax of the
attribute MUST be semantically equivalent with the standard ISO date
format. The attribute MUST be single-valued.
4.1.1.4. principalIsDisabled
A boolean attribute used to disable a principal. The attribute
SHOULD default to false.
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4.1.1.5. principalNumberOfFailedAuthenticationAttempts
This single-valued integer attribute contains a count of the number
of times an authentication attempt was unsuccessful for this
principal. Implementations SHOULD NOT allow this counter to be
reset.
4.1.1.6. principalLastFailedAuthentication
This single-valued attribute contains the time and date for the last
failed authentication attempt for this principal.
4.1.1.7. principalLastSuccessfulAuthentication
This single-valued attribute contains the time and date for the last
successful authentication attempt for this principal.
4.1.1.8. principalLastCredentialChangeTime
This single-valued attribute contains the time and date for the last
successful change of credential (e.g. password or private key)
associated with this principal.
4.1.1.9. principalCreateTime
This single-valued attribute contains the time and date when this
principal was created
4.1.1.10. principalModifyTime
This single-valued attribute contains the time and date when this
principal was modified excluding credentials change.
4.1.1.11. principalMaximumTicketLifetime
This single-valued attribute contains the delta time in seconds
representing the maximum lifetime for tickets issued for this
principal.
4.1.1.12. principalMaximumRenewableTicketLifetime
This single-valued attribute contains the delta time in seconds
representing the maximum amount of time a ticket may be renewed for.
4.1.1.13. principalAllowedEnctype
This OPTIONAL multi-valued attribute lists the enctypes allowed for
this principal. If empty or absent any enctype supported by the
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implementation is allowed for this principal.
This attribute is intended as a policy attribute and restricts all
uses of enctypes including server, client, and session keys. Data
models MAY choose to use policy objects in order to represent more
complex decision mechanisms.
4.1.2. Principal: Associations
Each principal MAY be associated with 0 or more KeySet and MAY be
associated with 0 or more Policies. The KeySet is represented as an
object in this model since it has attributes associated with it (the
key version number). In typical situations the principal is
associated with exactly 1 KeySet but implementations MUST NOT assume
this case, i.e. an implementation of this standard MUST be able to
handle the general case of multiple KeySet associated with each
principal. Multiple KeySets may for instance be useful when
performing a key rollover for a principal.
4.2. KeySet
A KeySet is a set of keys associated with exactly one principal.
This object and its associations MUST NOT be REQUIRED by a data-
model. It is expected that most Kerberos implementations will use
the set/change password protocol for all aspects of key management
[I-D.ietf-krb-wg-kerberos-set-passwd]. This information model only
includes these objects for the sake of completeness.
If a server supports an enctype for a principal that enctype must be
present in at least one key for the principal in question.
4.2.1. KeySet: Attributes
4.2.1.1. keySetVersionNumber
This is traditionally called the key version number (kvno). This is
a single-valued attribute containing a positive integer.
4.2.2. KeySet: Associations
To each KeySet MUST be associated a set of 1 or more Keys.
4.2.3. KeySet: Remarks
The security of Kerberos 5 depends absolutely on the confidentiality
and integrity of the keys stored in the KDC. Implementations of this
standard MUST facilitate, to the extent possible, an administrator's
ability to place more restrictive access controls on KeySets than on
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other principal data, and to arrange for more secure backup for
KeySets.
4.3. Key
Implementations of this model MUST NOT REQUIRE keys to be
represented.
4.3.1. Key: Attributes
4.3.1.1. keyEncryptionType
The enctype SHOULD be represented as an enumeration of the enctypes
supported by the KDC using the string name ("encryption type") of the
enctype from the IANA registry of Kerberos Encryption Type Numbers.
4.3.1.2. keyValue
The binary representation of the key data. This MUST be a single-
valued octet string.
4.3.1.3. keySaltValue
The binary representation of the key salt. This MUST be a single-
valued octet string.
4.3.1.4. keyStringToKeyParameter
This MUST be a single-valued octet string representing an opaque
parameter associated with the enctype.
4.3.1.5. keyNotUsedBefore
This key MUST NOT be used before this date. The syntax of the
attribute MUST be semantically equivalent with the standard ISO date
format. This MUST be a single-valued attribute.
4.3.1.6. keyNotUsedAfter
This key MUST NOT be used after this date. The syntax of the
attribute MUST be semantically equivalent with the standard ISO date
format. This MUST be a single-valued attribute.
4.3.1.7. keyIsDisabled
This is a boolean attribute which SHOULD be set to false by default.
If this attribute is true the key MUST NOT be used. This is used to
temporarily disable a key.
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4.3.2. Key: Associations
None
4.3.3. Key: Remarks
The security of the keys is an absolute requirement for the operation
of Kerberos 5. If keys are implemented adequate protection from
unauthorized modification and disclosure MUST be available and
REQUIRED by the implementation.
4.4. Policy
Implementations SHOULD implement policy but MAY allow them to be
OPTIONAL. The Policy should be thought of as a 'typed hole'. i.e. an
opaque binary value paired with an identifier of type of data
contained in the binary value. Both attributes (type and value) must
be present.
4.4.1. Policy: Attributes
4.4.1.1. policyIdentifier
The policyIdentifier MUST be unique within the local administrative
context and MUST be globally unique. Possible types of identifiers
include:
An Object Identifier (OID)
A URI
A UUID
The use of OIDs is RECOMMENDED for this purpose.
4.4.1.2. policyIsCritical
This boolean attribute indicates that the KDC MUST be able to
correctly interpret and apply this policy for the key to be used.
4.4.1.3. policyContent
This is an optional single opaque binary value used to store a
representation of the policy. In general a policy cannot be fully
expressed using attribute-value pairs. The policyContent is OPTIONAL
in the sense that an implementation MAY use it to store an opaque
value for those policy-types which are not directly representable in
that implementation.
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4.4.1.4. policyUse
This is an optional single enumerated string value used to describe
the use of the policy. Implementations SHOULD provide this attribute
and MUST (if the attribute is implemented) describe the enumerated
set of possible values. The intent is that this attribute be useful
in providing an initial context-based filtering.
4.4.2. Mandatory-to-implement Policy
All implementations MUST be able to represent the policies listed in
this section. Implementations are not required to use the same
underlying data-representation for the policyContent binary value but
SHOULD use the same OIDs as the policyIdentifier. In general the
expression of policy may require a Turing-complete language. This
specification does not attempt to model policy expression language.
4.4.2.1. Password Quality Policy
Password quality policy controls the requirements placed by the KDC
on new passwords. This policy SHOULD be identified by the OID
<TBD>.1.
4.4.2.2. Password Management Policy
Password management policy controls how passwords are changed. This
policy SHOULD be identified by the OID <TBD>.2.
4.4.2.3. Keying Policy
A keying policy specifies the association of enctypes with new
principals, e.g. when a principal is created one of the applicable
keying policies is used to determine the set of keys to associate
with the principal. This policy SHOULD be identified by the OID
<TBD>.3.
4.4.2.4. Ticket Flag Policy
A ticket flag policy specifies the ticket flags allowed for tickets
issued for a principal. This policy SHOULD be identified by the OID
<TBD>.4.
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5. Implementation Scenarios
There are several ways to implement an administrative service for
Kerberos 5 based on this information model. In this section we list
a few of them.
5.1. LDAP backend to KDC
Given an LDAP schema implementation of this information model it
would be possible to build an administrative service by back-ending
the KDC to a directory server where principals and keys are stored.
Using the security mechanisms available on the directory server keys
are protected from access by anyone apart from the KDC.
Administration of the principals, policy, and other non-key data is
done through the directory server while the keys are modified using
the set/change password protocol
[I-D.ietf-krb-wg-kerberos-set-passwd].
5.2. LDAP frontend to KDC
An alternative way to provide a directory interface to the KDC is to
implement an LDAP-frontend to the KDC which exposes all non-key
objects as entries and attributes. As in the example above all keys
are modified using the set/change password protocol
[I-D.ietf-krb-wg-kerberos-set-passwd]. In this scenario the
implementation would typically not use a traditional LDAP
implementation but treat LDAP as an access protocol to data in the
native KDC database.
5.3. SOAP
Given an XML schema implementation of this information model it would
be possible to build a SOAP interface to the KDC. This demonstrates
the value of creating an abstract information model which is mappable
to multiple schema representations.
5.4. Netconf
Given a YAML implementation of this information model it would be
possible to create a Netconf-based interface to the KDC, enabling
management of the KDC from standard network management applications.
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6. Security Considerations
This document describes an abstract information model for Kerberos 5.
The Kerberos 5 protocol depends on the security of the keys stored in
the KDC. The model described here assumes that keys MUST NOT be
transported in the clear over the network and furthermore that keys
are treated as write-only attributes that SHALL only be modified
(using the administrative interface) by the change-password protocol
[I-D.ietf-krb-wg-kerberos-set-passwd].
Exposing the object model of a KDC typically implies that objects can
be modified and/or deleted. In a KDC not all principals are created
equal, so that for instance deleting krbtgt/EXAMPLE.COM@EXAMPLE.COM
effectively disables the EXAMPLE.COM realm. Hence access control is
paramount to the security of any implementation. This document does
not mandate access control. This only implies that access control is
beyond the scope of the standard information model, i.e. that access
control may not be accessible via any protocol based on this model.
If access control objects are exposed via an extension to this model
the presence of access control may in itself provide points of attack
by giving away information about principals with elevated rights etc.
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7. IANA Considerations
This document requires the allocation of several OIDs marked <TBD> in
section 4.4.2 above. IANA should allocate a new arc under
1.3.6.1.5.2.5 (iso.org.dod.internet.security.kerberosV5.policies)
named "kdcPolicy" and assign each of the policy OIDs a new number
under this arc.
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8. Acknowledgments
The author wishes to extend his thanks to Love Hoernquist-Aestrand
<lha@kth.se> and Sam Hartman <hartmans@mit.edu> for their important
contributions to this document.
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9. References
9.1. Normative References
[RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
[RFC3961] Raeburn, K., "Encryption and Checksum Specifications for
Kerberos 5", RFC 3961, February 2005.
[RFC4120] Neuman, C., Yu, T., Hartman, S., and K. Raeburn, "The
Kerberos Network Authentication Service (V5)", RFC 4120,
July 2005.
9.2. Informative References
[I-D.ietf-krb-wg-kerberos-set-passwd]
Williams, N., "Kerberos Set/Change Key/Password Protocol
Version 2", draft-ietf-krb-wg-kerberos-set-passwd-08 (work
in progress), November 2008.
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Author's Address
Leif Johansson
Swedish University Network
Thulegatan 11
Stockholm
Email: leifj@sunet.se
URI: http://www.sunet.se
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