● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 negative
SAML Protocol Criticized for Complexity and Design Flaws, Recommends Migration to OIDC
Key points
- SAML is an XML-based protocol created in 2002 by OASIS SSTC.
- Its design is criticized for being overly complex and committee-driven.
- SAML relies on XML signature validation, which is deemed unreliable.
- The author suggests deprecating SAML for OpenID Connect (OIDC).
SAML's Foundational Issues
The Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is identified as a complex authentication protocol with significant design flaws. Despite its widespread use in academic and corporate IT environments for single sign-on (SSO), its underlying architecture is deemed problematic. The core issue highlighted is its dependence on XML signature validation, which is described as unreliable and overly complicated, often leading implementations to use a difficult-to-maintain C codebase like libxmlsec.
Origins and Complexity
SAML was developed in 2002 by the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) Security Services Technical Committee (SSTC). Its XML-based nature is cited as a source of complexity compared to newer protocols that utilize formats like JSON. The protocol's design-by-committee origin, incorporating intellectual property from multiple prior security protocols, is presented as a reason for its 'kitchen-sink' design approach, contributing to its overall intricacy.
Call for Deprecation
The author argues that SAML should be deprecated due to its inherent complexity and foundational weaknesses. The rise of software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies increased the need for SSO solutions, which SAML initially fulfilled. However, its design is now seen as a burden, and a move to modern alternatives such as OpenID Connect (OIDC) is recommended to address these challenges.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
The Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) authentication protocol, widely used in academic and corporate IT, is criticized for its inherent complexity and reliance on unreliable XML signature validation. The author advocates for its deprecation in favor of modern alternatives like OpenID Connect (OIDC) due to its foundational design issues. This matters as SAML's complexity can lead to security vulnerabilities and operational challenges for organizations relying on it for single sign-on.