The Concept Of SASL

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1. Introduction
Computers play a vital role in today’s world. A lot of data is generated in a very few seconds. Now, the question arises how the generated data need to be shared via network and how far the network is safe for data transmission. Here is where the concept of SAML comes into picture.

SAML is an acronym used for Security Assertion Mark-up Language. It basically manages the authentication and authorization related thefts between two or more parties. Here the two parties in particular are known as relying party and the other as identity party. These parties communicate with each other using assertions.

Here in this research paper, SAML is combined with SASL and GSS-API mechanisms in order to achieve maximum security. SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) has set of rules such that helps to maintain the various interactions between security layer continuously. Protocols like IMAP also use SASL to configure its security features. By doing so we can add new features of authentication directly into the system without waiting for long.

If we need to perform authentication process on a system many times then GSS-API can be used. The acronym GSS-API stands for Generic Security Service-Application Program Interface, which functions accordingly to facilitate single interface multiple authentication. This helps SAML to be more reliable and load free.
In this research paper it is observed that SASL clearly helps SAML and GSS-API together known as GS2. It is also seen that in some critical environments GSS-API is not necessary. But, it all depends on the consequences of the usage of security layer followed by authentication process.

The process involved in this document specifies that servers having SASL or GSS-API ...

... middle of paper ...

...rns and also binding between the client and the server.
The popular risk is if the identity provider has the client information but client moves out of the platform and then attempts to request again then the identity of that particular client is lost.

It is also seen that sometimes if the binding is not done then the third party can interfere in between and even break the code. This is a problem hence the binding of channel needs to be strong and alternative algorithms must be used in order to protect the message.

The privacy issues occur in this kind of mechanism because every communication is open to SAML. It is possible that SAML can track all the conversation between message transfer.

Collision between various relaying parties may occur, as it is unique to one particular server. The problem is only one identifier is used for the same relaying party.

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