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Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation · Lesson

Authentication & Authorization

Implement robust authentication and authorization mechanisms across different Micro Frontends.

Authentication & Authorization is a free Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Auth & Auth in MFEs

Welcome to Authentication & Authorization in Micro Frontends! Securing federated applications brings unique challenges compared to monolithic apps.

We need robust ways to verify user identities (authentication) and control what they can access (authorization) across independently developed and deployed Micro Frontends.

Centralized Authentication Need

In a Micro Frontend architecture, users interact with multiple separate applications. If each MFE handled authentication independently, users would face multiple login prompts.

This leads to a poor user experience and complex session management. A centralized authentication mechanism is crucial for seamless navigation.

Identity Providers (IdP)

A common solution is to use an Identity Provider (IdP). This is a service that creates, maintains, and manages identity information for users and authenticates them.

  • Examples: Auth0, Okta, Keycloak, or a custom OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect server.
  • The IdP handles the login process and issues security tokens (like JWTs) upon successful authentication.

Authentication Flow Overview

Here's a simplified centralized authentication flow:

  1. User tries to access any MFE.
  2. If not authenticated, they are redirected to the central IdP login page.
  3. User logs in with the IdP.
  4. IdP redirects the user back to the MFE with a security token.
  5. The MFE stores this token (e.g., in an HTTP-only cookie or local storage).

All subsequent requests from any MFE will use this token.

Sharing Authentication State

Once a user is authenticated, their session or token needs to be available to all Micro Frontends. Common strategies for sharing state:

  • HTTP-Only Cookies: Secure and automatically sent with requests.
  • Web Storage (localStorage/sessionStorage): Accessible across same-origin domains.
  • Shared Libraries/Context: A shared utility that wraps token management, often exposed via Module Federation.

Each method has its trade-offs regarding security and ease of implementation.

Authorization Explained

While authentication verifies who you are, authorization determines what you can do.

  • After authentication, the security token often contains user roles or permissions.
  • Each Micro Frontend is then responsible for checking these permissions before granting access to specific features or data.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a popular authorization strategy. Users are assigned roles (e.g., 'admin', 'editor', 'viewer'), and each role has specific permissions.

Micro Frontends simply check the user's roles against the required roles for a given action or component.

Implementing Auth Checks

Each Micro Frontend or its backend API can implement authorization checks. This often involves:

  • Decoding the security token to extract user roles/permissions.
  • Comparing these against the required permissions for a specific action or UI element.

Here's a simple JavaScript example:

function hasPermission(userRoles, requiredRole) {
  if (!userRoles || !requiredRole) return false;
  return userRoles.includes(requiredRole);
}

// Imagine user roles are parsed from a JWT
const currentUserRoles = ["user", "editor"]; 

// Check if user can 'edit_post'
const canEdit = hasPermission(currentUserRoles, "editor");

// Check if user can 'delete_user'
const canDelete = hasPermission(currentUserRoles, "admin");

console.log("Can edit post?", canEdit);
console.log("Can delete user?", canDelete);

Security Best Practices

Securing your federated applications requires vigilance:

  • HTTPS: Always use HTTPS for all communication.
  • Token Storage: Store sensitive tokens securely (e.g., HTTP-only cookies over localStorage).
  • CORS: Properly configure Cross-Origin Resource Sharing policies.
  • Input Validation: Always validate user input on both client and server sides.
  • Regular Audits: Perform security audits and keep dependencies updated.

Order the Auth Flow

Drag and drop the steps to correctly order a user's initial authentication flow in a federated application using an Identity Provider (IdP).

Recap: Secure MFEs

We've covered the essentials of authentication and authorization in Micro Frontends. Key takeaways:

  • Centralized authentication via an Identity Provider ensures a smooth user experience.
  • Security tokens (like JWTs) carry authentication and authorization data.
  • Strategies like HTTP-only cookies or shared libraries help share authentication state.
  • Authorization (e.g., RBAC) dictates what users can do, based on roles/permissions in their token.
  • Always follow security best practices like HTTPS and secure token storage.

Next, we'll explore cross-application security risks!

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Authentication & Authorization” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Authentication & Authorization” is free to read here on the web, and the Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Authentication & Authorization”?

Implement robust authentication and authorization mechanisms across different Micro Frontends. You practise Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation?

No prior experience is required. Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Authentication & Authorization” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation lesson?

Yes. Every Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

  1. Authentication & Authorization
  2. Cross-Application Security Risks
  3. Best Practices for Secure Federation
  4. Securing Module Federation Remotes
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