How to Get a SAML Token from One Azure Enterprise App with a User SAML Token from Another Azure Enterprise App in the Same Azure

Are you tired of juggling multiple Azure Enterprise Apps, each with its own SAML token? Do you wish you could use a SAML token from one app to access another? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll show you how to get a SAML token from one Azure Enterprise App using a user SAML token from another Azure Enterprise App in the same Azure. It’s a game-changer for Azure enthusiasts and developers alike!

What is SAML and Why Do We Need It?

SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is an XML-based standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between systems. It’s used to enable single sign-on (SSO) across different applications and services. In the context of Azure Enterprise Apps, SAML tokens are used to authenticate users and authorize access to resources.

So, why do we need SAML tokens? Without SAML, users would need to maintain multiple usernames and passwords for each application, leading to password fatigue and increased security risks. SAML tokens simplify the authentication process, making it easier to manage access to multiple applications with a single set of credentials.

The Challenge: Getting a SAML Token from Another Azure Enterprise App

Here’s the scenario: you have two Azure Enterprise Apps, App A and App B. You have a user SAML token for App A, but you need to access App B using the same token. Sounds tricky, right? The good news is that Azure provides a built-in solution to tackle this challenge.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the solution, make sure you have the following:

• Azure subscription with two Azure Enterprise Apps (App A and App B)
• User SAML token for App A
• Azure AD tenant with both apps configured for SAML authentication

Step 1: Configure Azure AD for SAML Token Exchange

First, you need to configure Azure AD to enable SAML token exchange between App A and App B. Follow these steps:

1. In the Azure portal, navigate to Azure Active Directory (AAD)
2. Click on “App registrations” and select App A
3. Click on “Token configuration” and then “Add a token configuration”
4. Select “SAML” as the token type and enter a name for the token configuration
5. Click “Add” to create the token configuration
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for App B

Step 2: Get the User SAML Token for App A

Next, you need to obtain the user SAML token for App A. You can do this using Azure AD’s built-in SAML authentication flow. Here’s how:

Using Postman or a similar tool, send a GET request to the following URL:

https://login.microsoftonline.com/{tenantId}/oauth2/v2.0/token

Replace {tenantId} with your Azure AD tenant ID. The request should include the following headers:

Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

grant_type: authorization_code

The response will contain an access token, which you can use to obtain the user SAML token for App A.

Step 3: Exchange the User SAML Token for App A with a SAML Token for App B

Now, you’ll exchange the user SAML token for App A with a SAML token for App B using Azure AD’s token exchange endpoint. Here’s the URL:

https://login.microsoftonline.com/{tenantId}/oauth2/v2.0/token

Send a POST request with the following headers and body:

Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

grant_type: urn:ietf:wg:oauth:2.0:oob:auto

Body:

client_id={clientId}&redirect_uri={redirectUri}&saml_request={samlRequest}&resource={resource}

Replace the placeholders with the following values:

clientId: Client ID of App B

redirectUri: Redirect URI of App B

samlRequest: User SAML token for App A

resource: Resource URL of App B

The response will contain a SAML token for App B, which you can use to authenticate with the app.

Step 4: Use the SAML Token for App B to Access the App

Finally, use the SAML token for App B to access the app. You can do this by sending a request to the app’s endpoint with the SAML token in the Authorization header.

Authorization: Bearer {samlToken}

Replace {samlToken} with the SAML token for App B obtained in Step 3.

Conclusion

And that’s it! You’ve successfully obtained a SAML token for App B using a user SAML token from App A. This process enables seamless access to multiple Azure Enterprise Apps with a single set of credentials. Remember to configure Azure AD for SAML token exchange, obtain the user SAML token for App A, exchange the token for App B, and use the new token to access App B.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues during the token exchange process, check the following:

• Verify that the Azure AD tenant is configured correctly for SAML authentication and token exchange
• Ensure that the client ID, redirect URI, and resource URL are correct for both App A and App B
• Check the SAML token format and ensure it’s correct for both apps
• Review the Azure AD and app logs for any errors or warnings

Conclusion

In conclusion, exchanging a user SAML token from one Azure Enterprise App for a SAML token from another app in the same Azure is a powerful technique that simplifies access to multiple applications. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can unlock the full potential of Azure Enterprise Apps and provide a seamless experience for your users.

App	SAML Token
App A	User SAML token
App B	SAML token obtained through token exchange

We hope this article has been informative and helpful in your Azure journey. Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

Got stuck trying to get a SAML token from one Azure Enterprise App using the user SAML token of another Azure Enterprise App in the same Azure? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!