Social Sign-In Authentication

 

Introduction
Social Sign-In Authentication in Oracle APEX allows users to log in using their existing accounts from popular identity providers such as Google, Microsoft, or Apple. This modern authentication approach simplifies the login process by eliminating the need for separate application-specific credentials. By leveraging OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect standards, Social Sign-In enhances user convenience, reduces password management burdens, and supports secure, federated access across platforms.

Social Sign-In Authentication in Oracle APEX allows users to log in using their credentials from trusted third-party identity providers such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, or any OpenID Connect-compliant service. This approach simplifies the login experience, reduces password fatigue, and improves security by delegating authentication to platforms that users already trust and manage.

To implement Social Sign-In in your APEX application, start by registering your app with the identity provider of your choice. For example, if you're using Google, go to the Google Cloud Console and create a new OAuth 2.0 client ID. For Microsoft, use the Azure Portal. When registering, you'll be asked for redirect URIs. This must match your APEX callback URL, which follows this pattern:

https://your-domain/ords/your-workspace/oauth2callback

After registration, you’ll receive a Client ID and Client Secret—store these securely.

Now, go to your APEX application, navigate to Shared Components > Authentication Schemes, and click Create. Select Based on a Preconfigured Scheme from Gallery. Choose Social Sign-In and proceed to the configuration screen.

Set the following values:

• Authentication Provider: Choose from the list (Google, Microsoft, Apple, etc.) or define a custom OpenID Connect provider.
• Client ID: Paste the client ID from your provider.
• Client Secret: Paste the corresponding client secret.
• Scope: This determines the level of access. For basic login, use openid email profile.
• User Info Endpoint: If not automatically filled, this URL is where APEX fetches user details after authentication. Each provider has a specific endpoint (e.g., https://openidconnect.googleapis.com/v1/userinfo for Google).
• Username Attribute: Choose which attribute from the provider response should be used as the APEX username. This is typically email, sub, or preferred_username.

After completing the setup, set the new authentication scheme as the Current one.

When users access your application, they’ll be redirected to the identity provider’s login screen. After successful authentication, the provider redirects them back to your app, and APEX creates a session based on the returned identity information.

You can optionally define a Post-Authentication Procedure to set up session state or roles. For example:

BEGIN

  SELECT user_role INTO :APP_ROLE

  FROM app_user_directory

  WHERE email = :APP_USER;

END;

APEX stores the authenticated user identity in the :APP_USER session variable, allowing you to apply authorizations or display personalized content.

To secure the setup, always use HTTPS, validate redirect URIs, and monitor access tokens for misuse. Most providers also allow you to configure token expiration and consent policies for better control.

Social Sign-In in APEX reduces login friction, improves user adoption, and leverages secure, widely-used identity platforms. It’s especially useful for public-facing applications or when users already maintain external accounts with supported providers. By offloading authentication to these services, your APEX application stays lighter, safer, and easier to maintain.

Social Sign-In enables authentication through third-party identity providers, including Google, Facebook, and other OpenID Connect or OAuth2-based providers. This method allows users to log in using their existing social or enterprise credentials, eliminating the need for separate usernames and passwords.

 Use Cases for Social Sign-In

Social Sign-In is ideal for applications that:

Are internet-facing and expect a large or unknown number of users from social networks.

Use enterprise authentication via a corporate OpenID Connect (OIDC) or OAuth2 identity provider, such as:

• Oracle Identity Cloud Service (IDCS)
• Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)
• Okta
• Auth0
• Google Workspace
• Facebook, GitHub, LinkedIn, and other social platforms

Key Considerations for Social Sign-In

• User Credential Verification – Social identity providers handle user authentication, so any registered user can potentially access your application. To control access, use authorization schemes to restrict permissions.
• Registering Your Application – To integrate with an external identity provider, register your application and provide a callback URL. Oracle APEX requires the full URI for one of its predefined callback URLs to handle authentication responses.
• Enhanced Security Options – Depending on your provider, you can enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA), password policies, and access controls to secure authentication.

 How Social Sign-In Works in Oracle APEX

1. User Requests Access – The user attempts to log in to an Oracle APEX application.
2. Redirect to Identity Provider (IdP) – The user is redirected to the configured OAuth2/OpenID Connect provider (e.g., Google, Facebook, or an enterprise IdP).
3. Authentication with Provider – The user logs in using their credentials from the selected provider.
4. Identity Token Exchange – The IdP returns an authentication token (JWT or access token) containing user details.
5. User Session Establishment – Oracle APEX validates the token and starts a new session for the authenticated user.
6. Application Access – The user is granted access and can navigate the application based on authorization rules.

 

Benefits of Social Sign-In in Oracle APEX

• Seamless User Experience – Users log in with their existing social or enterprise accounts, reducing login friction.
• Stronger Security – Leverage enterprise-grade authentication, including MFA and identity federation.
• Scalability – Supports a large user base without requiring individual database accounts.
• Reduced Password Fatigue – No need for users to create and manage separate credentials for your application.

Best Practices for Implementing Social Sign-In

• Restrict Access with Authorization Schemes – Without additional security measures, any user with a valid identity provider account can access your application. Implement authorization rules to control access based on user roles.
• Use a Secure Identity Provider – Choose a trusted OAuth2/OpenID Connect provider that supports strong security policies, such as MFA, session timeout, and user activity monitoring.
• Ensure Proper Callback URL Registration – When configuring your identity provider, register the correct Oracle APEX callback URL to enable authentication responses.

Oracle recommends Social Sign-In, SAML, or OAuth2/OIDC authentication for secure and scalable authentication. These methods provide single sign-on (SSO), strong security, and seamless integration with enterprise identity systems, making them ideal for production environments.

Conclusion
Implementing Social Sign-In Authentication in Oracle APEX streamlines user access and improves the overall experience by connecting your application to trusted third-party identity providers. It reduces barriers to entry, encourages adoption, and helps maintain strong security practices without increasing administrative overhead. Whether for internal apps or public-facing services, Social Sign-In is a smart and scalable solution for modern authentication needs.

 

 

USE SAML Sign-In Authentication

Introduction
SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) Sign-In Authentication in Oracle APEX enables secure, standards-based single sign-on (SSO) by allowing users to authenticate through an external identity provider (IdP). With SAML, users can log in once through their corporate identity system and access multiple applications without needing to re-enter credentials. This integration enhances security, simplifies user access, and ensures centralized control over identity management in enterprise environments.

SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) Sign-In Authentication in Oracle APEX allows users to authenticate through a trusted external Identity Provider (IdP), such as Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Okta, or any other SAML 2.0-compliant provider. This method supports enterprise-level single sign-on (SSO), enabling users to sign in once and gain access to multiple systems without repeatedly entering credentials.

To configure SAML authentication in Oracle APEX, begin by setting up the Identity Provider (IdP). The IdP must be configured to recognize your Oracle APEX application as a Service Provider (SP). During this step, you will generate and exchange metadata between the IdP and APEX. The metadata includes the entity ID, assertion consumer service (ACS) URL, and public signing certificate.

In APEX, go to Shared Components > Authentication Schemes, then click Create and choose Based on a Preconfigured Scheme from Gallery. Select Social Sign-In. Although it’s labeled for social providers, APEX 21.2 and higher support SAML through this method. Provide a name like “SAML Enterprise Login.”

Configure the authentication scheme with the following details:

• Authentication Provider: Choose SAML 2.0.
• Identity Provider Metadata URL or upload the XML metadata file provided by your IdP.
• SP Entity ID: This uniquely identifies your APEX application as a service provider.
• ACS URL: This is the URL where the IdP will post the SAML response. APEX provides this value automatically, usually in the form https://<your-domain>/ords/wwv_flow.accept.

After setting these parameters, APEX will automatically register its public key and certificate if needed. Ensure your web server is accessible using HTTPS, as SAML requires secure transport for the assertion data.

In the authentication scheme, you can define how to extract the username from the SAML response. Most IdPs send it in the NameID field, but you can also use custom attributes such as email, username, or UPN. Use the Username Attribute Mapping field in APEX to define how this data is read.

Example:

NameID

or

user.email

Set this new SAML authentication scheme as the current one for your application. Once active, when users attempt to access your app, they will be redirected to the IdP login page. After successful authentication, the IdP sends a signed SAML assertion back to APEX, and the session is established.

You can use the Post-Authentication Procedure to run custom PL/SQL logic once the user has been authenticated. This is useful for assigning roles, initializing session variables, or logging activity.

Example:

BEGIN

  SELECT role INTO :APP_ROLE FROM app_users WHERE username = :APP_USER;

END;

Be sure to test the flow end to end. Use the IdP’s diagnostic tools and logs if authentication fails, and confirm that the APEX app correctly receives the SAML assertion.

SAML authentication in Oracle APEX provides robust security, eliminates password fatigue, and improves user experience by enabling federated identity management. It is a powerful option for organizations that require centralized access control and seamless single sign-on integration with their enterprise infrastructure.

SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) Sign-In allows delegated authentication to an external SAML identity provider (IdP). This enables single sign-on (SSO), allowing users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications without repeated logins.

 

Key Features of SAML Authentication

• Single Sign-On (SSO) – Users log in once and can access multiple systems without re-entering credentials.
• Secure Identity Federation – Enables authentication via a trusted identity provider (IdP).
• Standardized Protocol – Uses an XML-based framework for secure authentication across different platforms.
• Improved User Experience – Reduces password fatigue and enhances security by minimizing multiple logins.

 

Prerequisites for Using SAML Sign-In

Oracle Database Version – SAML authentication requires:

• Oracle Database 19c (Database Release Update 19.9.0.0.0 or later)
• Oracle Database 23ai
  If your database does not meet these requirements, the SAML Sign-In authentication scheme will not be available.

Configured SAML Identity Provider (IdP) – Your organization must have a SAML-compliant IdP, such as:

• Oracle Identity Cloud Service (IDCS)
• Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)
• Okta
• Google Workspace
• Any other IdP supporting SAML 2.0

Service Provider (SP) Configuration – Oracle APEX must be registered as a service provider with the IdP to enable authentication.

 

How SAML Sign-In Works in Oracle APEX

1. User Requests Access – The user attempts to access an Oracle APEX application.
2. Redirect to IdP – The application redirects the user to the configured SAML identity provider (IdP).
3. User Authentication – The user logs in with corporate credentials at the IdP.
4. Assertion Exchange – The IdP generates a SAML assertion (a secure token containing user identity details) and sends it back to APEX.
5. Session Establishment – APEX validates the assertion and establishes an authenticated session for the user.
6. Application Access – The user is granted access and can navigate the application without further authentication.

 

Benefits of Using SAML Sign-In in Oracle APEX

• Stronger Security – Centralized authentication helps enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) and security policies.
• Seamless User Experience – Users do not need to remember multiple passwords for different applications.
• Enterprise Integration – Easily connects to corporate identity management systems for user authentication.
• Regulatory Compliance – Meets security standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 by using a federated authentication approach.

 

Modern Authentication Recommendation

Oracle recommends SAML or OAuth2/OIDC authentication over traditional database or APEX account authentication for production environments. SAML provides strong security, seamless access management, and integration with enterprise identity providers, making it a preferred choice for cloud and enterprise applications.

 

To set up a SAML Sign In authentication scheme in your application:

1. On the Workspace home page, click the App Builder icon.
2. Select an application.
3. On the Application home page, click Shared Components.

The Shared Components page appears.

1.    Under Security, select Authentication Schemes.

2.    On the Authentication Schemes page, click Create.

3.    Select Based on a pre-configured scheme from the gallery and click Next.

4.    Under Name:

a.    Name - Enter the name used to reference the authentication scheme by other application developers.

b.    Scheme Type - Select SAML Sign In.

4.    Under Settings:

1. Use SAML Attributes of - Select Instance.
2. Convert Username To Upper Case - Configure whether the attribute values for the username should be converted to upper case.

Click Create Authentication Scheme.

Conclusion
Implementing SAML Sign-In Authentication in Oracle APEX provides a powerful and flexible solution for organizations looking to streamline access across multiple systems. By connecting APEX with a trusted identity provider, developers can offer a secure and seamless user experience while reducing administrative overhead. SAML authentication strengthens access control, supports enterprise SSO strategies, and aligns APEX applications with modern security standards.