SAML 2.0 (Security Assertion Markup Language) tokens are XML-based security tokens that are used in SSO (single sign-on) scenarios to authenticate users and authorize their access to web applications and services. SAML 2.0 tokens contain a set of claims or assertions that provide information about the user’s identity, such as their name, email address, and group membership.
Here are some examples of the content that can be included in a SAML 2.0 token:
- The name identifier (NameID) of the user, which is typically their username or email address.
- The issuer of the SAML token, which is the identity provider that issued the token.
- The subject of the token, which is the user who is being authenticated and authorized.
- The expiration time of the token, which determines how long the token is valid.
- The audience, which is the web application or service that the token is intended for.
- A set of attribute statements, which contain additional claims about the user, such as their role or group membership.
- A digital signature that verifies the authenticity of the token and ensures its integrity.
SAML 2.0 tokens can be used in a wide range of SSO scenarios, such as integrating cloud-based services with on-premises applications, or enabling SSO between different web applications. SAML 2.0 is widely supported by many identity providers, web applications, and services.
