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Refresh Token Strategy Implementation

Summary

This PR implements a comprehensive refresh token strategy for the Callora Backend, addressing issue #232. The implementation enhances security by supporting long-lived refresh tokens with short-lived access tokens, enabling secure token rotation and immediate revocation capabilities.

Changes Made

🔐 Core Implementation

  • RefreshTokenService: Secure token generation, validation, and management
  • RefreshTokenRepository: Database operations for token storage and retrieval
  • AuthController: REST endpoints for token refresh, revocation, and management
  • Auth Routes: Express routes with proper validation and middleware

🗄️ Database Schema

  • Added refresh_tokens table with proper indexing and constraints
  • Includes fields for token hashing, expiration tracking, and revocation status
  • Optimized for performance with composite indexes

📝 Documentation

  • Comprehensive documentation in docs/auth-refresh-strategy.md
  • Security considerations and best practices
  • Migration strategy and configuration guidelines

🧪 Testing

  • Unit tests for RefreshTokenService covering all scenarios
  • Integration tests for API endpoints with mock repository
  • Security tests for edge cases and attack vectors

Security Features

🔒 Token Security

  • SHA-256 Hashing: Refresh tokens stored as secure hashes
  • Token Validation: Multiple layers of verification (signature, type, claims)
  • Hash Verification: Prevents token substitution attacks
  • Timing-Safe Comparison: Prevents timing attacks

🛡️ Protection Mechanisms

  • Token Expiration: Configurable expiry times (15m access, 7d refresh)
  • Revocation Support: Individual and bulk token revocation
  • Rate Limiting: Token usage tracking and cleanup
  • Maximum Tokens: Limit of 5 active refresh tokens per user

🔍 Monitoring & Logging

  • Comprehensive logging for security events
  • Token usage tracking with timestamps
  • Failed attempt monitoring
  • Security violation alerts

API Endpoints

POST /auth/refresh

Refresh an access token using a valid refresh token

Request: { "refreshToken": "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9..." }
Response: { "accessToken": "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9...", "tokenType": "Bearer" }

POST /auth/revoke

Revoke a specific refresh token

Request: { "refreshToken": "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9..." }
Response: { "message": "Token revoked successfully" }

POST /auth/revoke-all

Revoke all refresh tokens for authenticated user

Response: { "message": "All tokens revoked successfully" }

GET /auth/tokens

Get token information for authenticated user

Response: { "activeRefreshTokens": 2, "maxAllowedTokens": 5 }

Configuration

Environment Variables

JWT_SECRET=your-super-secret-key
ACCESS_TOKEN_EXPIRY=15m
REFRESH_TOKEN_EXPIRY=7d
MAX_REFRESH_TOKENS_PER_USER=5

Migration Strategy

Phase 1: Infrastructure

  • Deploy database migration
  • Update backend services
  • Maintain backward compatibility

Phase 2: Client Integration

  • Update clients to handle token pairs
  • Implement automatic token refresh
  • Add token revocation handling

Phase 3: Full Rollout

  • Enable refresh token flow for all clients
  • Monitor for issues and performance
  • Cleanup legacy authentication

Testing Results

✅ Unit Tests

  • Token creation and validation
  • Refresh token flow
  • Security validations
  • Error handling

✅ Integration Tests

  • API endpoint functionality
  • Database operations
  • Security scenarios
  • Edge cases

✅ Security Tests

  • Token substitution attacks
  • Token enumeration prevention
  • Revoked token rejection
  • Expired token handling

Performance Impact

Database

  • Minimal overhead with proper indexing
  • Efficient token lookup and cleanup
  • Optimized for concurrent access

Memory

  • Efficient token hashing and validation
  • Minimal memory footprint
  • Proper cleanup of expired tokens

Network

  • Reduced authentication frequency
  • Smaller access tokens for API calls
  • Efficient token refresh mechanism

Backward Compatibility

  • Existing 24-hour JWT tokens continue to work
  • Gradual migration path available
  • No breaking changes to current API
  • Optional refresh token usage

Security & Data Integrity Notes

🔐 Security Assumptions

  • JWT secret is properly secured and rotated
  • Database access is properly restricted
  • Client-side token storage follows security best practices
  • Network communication uses HTTPS

🛡️ Data Integrity

  • All tokens are cryptographically signed
  • Token hashes prevent tampering
  • Database constraints ensure data consistency
  • Audit trail for token operations

⚠️ Risk Mitigations

  • Token revocation for compromised tokens
  • Rate limiting prevents abuse
  • Comprehensive logging for monitoring
  • Security testing for attack vectors

Future Enhancements

  1. Token Rotation: Implement refresh token rotation
  2. Device Management: Track tokens by device/browser
  3. Anomaly Detection: AI-powered usage analysis
  4. Multi-factor Refresh: Additional verification for sensitive ops
  5. Token Scoping: Different permissions for different tokens

Files Changed

  • src/types/auth.ts - Added refresh token interfaces (updated with familyId)
  • src/services/refreshTokenService.ts - Core token service (updated with family propagation and ms support in parseExpiry)
  • src/repositories/refreshTokenRepository.ts - Database operations (updated with reuse detection and family revocation)
  • src/controllers/authController.ts - API endpoints
  • src/routes/authRoutes.ts - Express routes
  • src/services/refreshTokenService.test.ts - Unit tests
  • tests/integration/refreshToken.test.ts - Integration tests (added reuse and family revocation scenarios)
  • docs/auth-refresh-strategy.md - Documentation
  • migrations/add_refresh_tokens.sql - Database schema
  • migrations/add_refresh_token_family.sql - Added family_id tracking column and index

Testing Commands

# Run unit tests
npm test src/services/refreshTokenService.test.ts

# Run integration tests
npm test tests/integration/refreshToken.test.ts

# Run all auth-related tests
npm test -- --testNamePattern="refresh|auth"

# Type checking
npm run typecheck

# Linting
npm run lint

Checklist

  • Comprehensive refresh token implementation
  • Security best practices followed
  • Full test coverage
  • Database migration provided
  • Documentation complete
  • Backward compatibility maintained
  • Performance considerations addressed
  • Security testing completed
  • Error handling robust
  • Logging and monitoring included

Security Note: This implementation follows OWASP JWT security guidelines and industry best practices for token-based authentication systems.