1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This guide outlines the implementation of a Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) system to enhance security by assigning specific permissions to roles, rather than individuals. This approach simplifies access management and aligns with organizational hierarchies.
1.2 Scope
The RBAC system is designed for web applications and aims to manage access control across user roles such as Admin, Editor, Viewer, and Guest. It integrates with existing user management systems and supports both static and dynamic role assignments.
1.3 Definitions & Acronyms
|
Acronym |
Definition |
|
RBAC |
Role-Based Access Control |
|
ACL |
Access Control List |
|
IAM |
Identity and Access Management |
|
API |
Application Programming Interface |
|
JWT |
JSON Web Token |
|
DB |
Database |
2. Architecture Overview
The architecture involves:
- **Authentication Module**: Verifies user identity using methods like OAuth2
or JWT.
- **Authorization Service**: Maps roles to permissions and enforces access
policies.
- **Database**: Stores role definitions, user-role mappings, and permissions.
- **Frontend Integration**: Dynamically adjusts UI elements based on user
roles.
3. Key Features
3.1 Role Hierarchies
Define role inheritance, e.g., Admin > Editor > Viewer.
3.2 Dynamic Permissions
Support context-aware permissions, such as time-based access or geolocation constraints.
3.3 Granular Access
Restrict access to specific API endpoints, UI elements, or database records.
4. Implementation Steps
1. **Define Roles**: List all roles and their corresponding
permissions.
2. **Design Schema**: Create database tables for roles, permissions, and
user-role mappings.
3. **Develop Middleware**: Implement authorization logic as middleware in your
application.
4. **Integrate Frontend**: Use role-based conditions to render UI components.
5. Security Considerations
1. Validate tokens to prevent unauthorized access.
2. Use encryption for sensitive data.
3. Audit logs for all access control decisions.
4. Regularly review and update role definitions.
6. Testing and Validation
1. Test for unauthorized access scenarios.
2. Verify role inheritance and overrides.
3. Conduct penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
7. Tools and Technologies
- **Backend**: Node.js, Python Flask/Django
- **Database**: PostgreSQL, MongoDB
- **Frontend**: React.js, Angular
- **Middleware**: Express.js for Node.js
- **Authentication**: OAuth2, JWT