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I just learned about FIDO2 (WebAuthn) and try to make a comparison to the lesser-known novel SQRL authentication scheme.

Both seem to use the same key elements:

  • a private, user-resident "master key" thus not relying on a 3rd party like OAuth.
  • a specific piece of soft- or hardware managing the identity
  • a specific protocol to establish/claim an identity to a web server/service
  • an intermediate public key, derived from the master key
  • the intermediate public key is unique to a domain name, thus providing privacy against other servers/services on other domains
  • a changing challenge/nonce for each authentication attempt, to mitigate against replay attacks.

So, with this, is there a significant difference I did not spot yet?

Note: This is not about usability or specific implementations of it (clients or server components, but more about the architecture.


Resources for FIDO2

Resources for SQRL

Marcel
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1 Answers1

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The most different part between the two seems to be how identities for websites are created:

  • SQRL derives identities for all websites from the master key
  • FIDO creates and stores a random identity for each website

This means, that SQRL tightly binds a user identity to a website. See SQRL's Identity Lock Protocol. However, the concept of alternate identities is provided.

Also, the Transcript of Security now Episode #875 contains some comparative sections. Disclaimer: SQRL was createdy by Steve Gibson, which is also the host of the Security Now podcast.

Marcel
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