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Microsoft identity platform token exchange scenarios with SAML and OIDC/OAuth

  • Straipsnis

SAML and OpenID Connect (OIDC) / OAuth are popular protocols used to implement single sign-on (SSO). Some apps might only implement SAML and others might only implement OIDC/OAuth. Both protocols use tokens to communicate secrets. To learn more about SAML, see single sign-on SAML protocol. To learn more about OIDC/OAuth, see OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect protocols on Microsoft identity platform.

This article outlines a common scenario where an app implements SAML but calls the Graph API, which uses OIDC/OAuth. Basic guidance is provided for people working with this scenario.

Scenario: You have a SAML token and want to call the Graph API

Many apps are implemented with SAML. However, the Graph API uses the OIDC/OAuth protocols. It's possible, though not trivial, to add OIDC/OAuth functionality to a SAML app. Once OAuth functionality is available in an app, the Graph API can be used.

The general strategy is to add the OIDC/OAuth stack to your app. With your app that implements both standards you can use a session cookie. You aren't exchanging a token explicitly. You're logging a user in with SAML, which generates a session cookie. When the Graph API invokes an OAuth flow, you use the session cookie to authenticate. This strategy assumes the Conditional Access checks pass and the user is authorized.

Note

The recommended library for adding OIDC/OAuth behavior to your applications is the Microsoft Authentication Library (MSAL).

Next steps