SAML security checklist for SaaS developers
Blog post from WorkOS
The checklist is designed for developers reviewing or creating a custom SAML service provider implementation, focusing on code and configuration rather than broader architectural decisions. It highlights common vulnerabilities in SAML implementations, often arising from incorrect choices in XML parser setup, signature validation, and assertion extraction. Key recommendations include disabling DTD processing to prevent XXE injection, using a single parser instance for the entire SAML response, validating the presence and correctness of signatures using absolute XPath expressions, and rejecting deprecated signing algorithms like SHA-1. The checklist also emphasizes the importance of validating essential assertion fields, such as the issuer, audience restriction, destination, and timestamps, to prevent authentication bypasses. Replay prevention and proper certificate handling during rotations are crucial to maintaining security. Developers are advised to run automated tests to ensure all validation gaps are closed and consider using platforms like WorkOS for handling complex SAML tasks if identity infrastructure is not their core product focus.
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