Intermediate LevelAuthentication & Authorization
How does Refresh Token Reuse Detection automatically revoke compromised token families?
❓ Interview Prompt: Explain Refresh Token Rotation (RTR), single-use refresh tokens, token family tracking, and automatic breach revocation.
Standard long-lived refresh tokens create risks if stolen. Refresh Token Rotation (RTR) enforces that every refresh token is strictly single-use.
Automatic Reuse Detection & Family Revocation:
1
When a client presents Refresh Token A, the Auth Server invalidates Token A and issues new Refresh Token B.
2
Tokens are grouped into a Token Family ID.
3
Breach Scenario: If an attacker steals Token A and tries to use it after the legitimate client has already exchanged it for Token B, the server detects Refresh Token Reuse!
4
Automatic Response: The Auth Server immediately revokes the entire Token Family, forcing all sessions (attacker and legitimate user) to log out instantly!
Code Implementation Example
typescript
async function handleRefreshTokenRotation(presentedToken: string) {
const tokenRecord = await db.refreshTokens.find(presentedToken);
// REUSE DETECTED: Token was ALREADY used!
if (tokenRecord.isUsed) {
console.error("SECURITY ALERT: Refresh token reuse detected! Revoking token family: " + tokenRecord.familyId);
// Revoke ALL tokens belonging to this family!
await db.refreshTokens.revokeFamily(tokenRecord.familyId);
throw new Error('Security Breach: Token Family Revoked');
}
// Mark current token as used & issue new child token in same family
await db.refreshTokens.markUsed(presentedToken);
return await db.refreshTokens.createChildToken(tokenRecord.familyId);
}💡Refresh token reuse detection revoking entire token families upon breach.
🎯 Interview Key Takeaway
Refresh token reuse detection automatically revokes the entire token family if a previously used refresh token is presented again.
#Refresh Tokens#RTR#Reuse Detection#Revocation#Intermediate
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