How to invalidate a JWT token

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I'm using JWTs for user authentication, but I'm facing challenges in invalidating tokens before their expiration time, such as when a user logs out or a token needs to be revoked. Since JWTs are stateless and don’t have a built-in invalidation mechanism, what are the recommended methods for ensuring that a token can be invalidated effectively?

Any insights on common practices or practical examples of implementing JWT invalidation would be helpful.
Nov 7 in Cyber Security & Ethical Hacking by Anupam
• 5,390 points
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1 answer to this question.

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To invalidate a JWT token effectively, here are some common methods:

1. Blacklist Tokens:

  • Store invalidated tokens in a database or cache (e.g., Redis).
  • Check this blacklist on each request to verify if the token is revoked.
const token = "user_jwt_token";
blacklist.add(token);

2. Token Versioning:

  • Include a version or session_id in the user’s JWT claims.
  • Store the current version/session ID in the database, updating it on logout or token reset.
  • During authentication, compare the token’s version/session ID to the stored value.
if (tokenVersion !== storedTokenVersion) {
  throw new Error("Token invalidated");
}

3. Short Token Expiration with Refresh Tokens:

  • Use short-lived access tokens and issue long-lived refresh tokens.
  • Re-authenticate or reissue the token when the access token expires, requiring server validation.
const accessToken = generateAccessToken(user, { expiresIn: "15m" });

4. Revoke All Tokens by Updating User Secrets:

  • Update a “secret” or “salt” stored in the user’s database record upon logout or revocation.
  • Use this updated secret to sign new tokens, invalidating old ones.
const newSecret = generateNewSecret();

5. Use Token Revocation Lists in Auth Servers:

If using a centralized authentication server, leverage its built-in mechanisms for token revocation, which often include revocation lists or caches.

answered Nov 7 by CaLLmeDaDDY
• 6,540 points

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