Using the TokenAuthenticatable concern

The TokenAuthenticatable module is a concern that provides token-based authentication functionality for ActiveRecord models. It allows you to define authentication tokens for your models.

Overview

This module provides a flexible way to add token-based authentication to your models.

It supports three storage strategies:

  • insecure: the token is stored as-is (not encrypted) in the database
  • digest: the SHA256 digests of the token is stored in the database
  • encrypted: the token is stored encrypted in the database using the AES 256 GCM algorithm

It also supports several options for each storage strategies.

Usage

To define a token_field attribute in your model, include the module and call add_authentication_token_field: 

class User < ApplicationRecord
  include TokenAuthenticatable

  add_authentication_token_field :token_field, encrypted: :required
end

Storage strategies

  • encrypted: :required: Stores the encrypted token in the token_field_encrypted column. The token_field_encrypted column needs to exist. We strongly encourage to use this strategy.
  • encrypted: :migrating: Stores the encrypted and plaintext tokens respectively in token_field_encrypted and token_field. Always reads the plaintext token. This should be used while an attribute is transitioning to be encrypted. Both token_field and token_field_encrypted columns need to exist.
  • encrypted: :optional: Stores the encrypted token in the token_field_encrypted column. Reads from token_field_encrypted first and fallbacks to token_field. Nullifies the plaintext token in the token_field column when writing the encrypted token. Both token_field and token_field_encrypted columns need to exist.
  • digest: true: Stores the token’s digest in the database. The token_field_digest column needs to exist.
note
By default, tokens are stored as-is (not encrypted).

Other options

  • unique: false: Doesn’t enforce token uniqueness and disables the generation of find_by_token_field (where token_field is the attribute name). Default is true.
  • format_with_prefix: :compute_token_prefix: Allows to define a prefix for the token. The #compute_token_prefix method needs to return a String. Default is no prefix.
  • expires_at: :compute_token_expiration_time: Allows to define a time when the token should expire. The #compute_token_expiration_time method needs to return a Time object. Default is no expiration.
  • token_generator: A proc that returns a token. If absent, a random token is generated using Devise.friendly_token.
  • routable_token:: A hash allowing to define “routable” parts that should be encoded in the token. This follows the Routable Tokens design document. Supported keys are:
    • if:: a proc receiving the token owner record. The proc usually has a feature flag check, and/or other checks. If the proc returns false, a random token is generated using Devise.friendly_token.
    • payload:: A { key => proc } hash with allowed keys c, o, g, p,u which complies with the specification. See an example in the Routable Tokens design document.
  • require_prefix_for_validation: (only for the :encrypted strategy): Checks that the token prefix matches the expected prefix. If the prefix doesn’t match, it behaves as if the token isn’t set. Default false.

Accessing and manipulating tokens 

user = User.new
user.token_field # Retrieves the token
user.set_token_field('new_token') # Sets a new token
user.ensure_token_field # Generates a token if not present
user.ensure_token_field! # Generates a token if not present
user.reset_token_field! # Resets the token and saves the model with #save!
user.token_field_matches?(other_token) # Securely compares the token with another
user.token_field_expires_at # Returns the expiration time
user.token_field_expired? # Checks if the token has expired
user.token_field_with_expiration # Returns a API::Support::TokenWithExpiration object, useful for API response