Keycloak: Specific Client Self-Registration Guide

In the intricate landscape of modern digital ecosystems, where microservices proliferate and applications demand seamless integration, the ability for client applications to self-register with an Identity and Access Management (IAM) system like Keycloak has become not just a convenience, but a strategic imperative. This comprehensive guide delves into the nuanced world of specific client self-registration within Keycloak, exploring its mechanisms, best practices, security implications, and how it empowers organizations to build scalable, agile, and secure Open Platform architectures. We will navigate beyond the rudimentary user self-registration, focusing intently on how applications, services, or even entire systems can autonomously establish their presence and define their access parameters within Keycloak, thereby streamlining development workflows and enhancing operational efficiency for any api driven environment.

The Foundational Role of Keycloak in Modern IAM

Keycloak stands as a powerful, open-source Identity and Access Management solution that dramatically simplifies the complexities of securing applications and services. It provides core functionalities such as Single Sign-On (SSO), Identity Brokering, and robust authorization services, acting as the central authentication and authorization authority for your digital assets. In an era dominated by distributed systems and API-first architectures, the ability to manage identities and permissions at scale is paramount. Keycloak offers a secure and flexible framework that allows developers to offload the burdensome task of implementing security features, enabling them to concentrate on core business logic. Its versatility extends across various application types, from traditional web applications to mobile apps, and critically, to securing back-end services and api endpoints that form the backbone of an Open Platform. Understanding Keycloak’s architecture, its concepts of realms, clients, users, and roles, is fundamental before diving into the specific mechanisms of client self-registration, as each component plays a crucial part in defining the security posture and operational capabilities of your system.

Clients in Keycloak represent entities that request authentication of a user or access to resources. These "clients" are typically applications, services, or even other IAM systems that interact with Keycloak. For instance, a web application logging in users, a microservice calling another protected microservice, or a mobile application authenticating a user before accessing an api, are all considered clients. Each client needs to be registered with Keycloak, providing details such as its client ID, client secret (for confidential clients), redirect URIs, and potentially various protocol settings. Traditionally, this registration has been a manual, administrative task, requiring a human operator to log into the Keycloak administration console and meticulously configure each client. While this manual process is perfectly acceptable for a small number of static, well-known clients, it quickly becomes a bottleneck and a source of operational overhead in dynamic, large-scale environments, especially those built around a rapidly evolving api ecosystem or an Open Platform initiative where new services and integrations are constantly emerging. The drive towards automation and self-service in IT operations naturally extends to client registration, paving the way for more sophisticated, programmatic approaches.

Understanding Keycloak Clients: The Pillars of Access Control

Before we embark on the journey of client self-registration, a deep understanding of what constitutes a "client" within Keycloak and its various classifications is essential. A Keycloak client is essentially any application or service that needs to interact with Keycloak to authenticate users or obtain access tokens to secure resources. These clients are not merely abstract concepts; they are tangible entities that possess specific characteristics and configurations which dictate their behavior and security context.

Keycloak broadly categorizes clients into two primary types:

1. Confidential Clients: These clients are capable of maintaining the confidentiality of a secret. Typically, confidential clients are server-side applications (like a web application backend or a microservice) that can store a client secret securely without it being exposed to end-users. When a confidential client requests tokens from Keycloak, it must authenticate itself using both its client ID and its client secret. This dual authentication mechanism provides a higher level of security, ensuring that only legitimate and authorized applications can obtain tokens, which is critical for protecting sensitive apis and internal services within an Open Platform architecture. The security of the client secret is paramount; if compromised, it could be used by malicious actors to impersonate the legitimate client. Therefore, managing and rotating client secrets securely is a key operational consideration.
2. Public Clients: In contrast, public clients are those that cannot guarantee the confidentiality of their credentials. Examples include client-side web applications (those running entirely in a browser using JavaScript), mobile applications, or desktop applications. For these types of clients, a client secret cannot be securely stored because it would inevitably be exposed to the end-user or easily decompiled. Instead, public clients rely on other security mechanisms, most notably the Proof Key for Code Exchange (PKCE) extension to the OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code Flow, to prevent authorization code interception attacks. While public clients do not use a client secret for authentication, they still require a client ID and specific redirect URIs to be registered with Keycloak, ensuring that the tokens are returned only to the legitimate client application. The security considerations for public clients revolve around strict redirect URI validation and the robust implementation of PKCE.

Beyond these two fundamental types, clients also have various protocol settings, such as the authentication flow they intend to use (e.g., Authorization Code Flow, Implicit Flow, Client Credentials Flow), the validity periods for their tokens, and the scopes they request. The chosen protocol and configuration settings directly impact how the client interacts with Keycloak and the level of access it can obtain. For instance, a client accessing a highly sensitive api might be configured with shorter token lifetimes and require specific scopes, while a general-purpose application might have broader access. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for designing a secure and efficient client self-registration process, as the registration mechanism must be capable of accommodating these diverse client types and their specific requirements, potentially even enforcing certain configurations based on predefined policies. The goal of self-registration is not just to create a client entry, but to create a correctly configured and secure client entry tailored to its intended purpose within the broader Open Platform.

The Traditional Approach: Manual Client Registration and Its Limitations

Historically, and still commonly practiced for static, well-defined applications, client registration in Keycloak involves a manual, administrative process. An administrator, possessing the necessary permissions within Keycloak, logs into the Keycloak administration console for a specific realm. From there, they navigate to the "Clients" section and meticulously create a new client entry. This manual configuration process entails populating numerous fields: * Client ID: A unique identifier for the client. * Client Name: A human-readable name for identification. * Client Protocol: Such as OpenID Connect or SAML. * Access Type: Public, confidential, or bearer-only. If confidential, a client secret is generated. * Valid Redirect URIs: Crucial for security, specifying where Keycloak can redirect the user after authentication. * Web Origins: Defining the allowed origins for CORS requests. * Roles, Scopes, Mappers: Further configuring the client's permissions and token attributes.

While this hands-on approach offers granular control and is suitable for systems with a limited number of stable client applications, its limitations become glaringly apparent in modern, agile environments. Imagine a scenario where dozens, if not hundreds, of new microservices or partner applications need to integrate with your Open Platform each week. Manually registering each client becomes a significant bottleneck, consuming valuable administrative resources and introducing potential for human error. Each manual step is an opportunity for misconfiguration, which can lead to security vulnerabilities or operational disruptions. Furthermore, it hinders the agility of development teams and the rapid deployment cycles often associated with microservices architectures and continuous delivery pipelines. Developers cannot instantly spin up new services and integrate them; they must wait for an administrator to complete the necessary Keycloak configuration. This friction directly contradicts the principles of self-service and automation that underpin efficient, scalable api management and the development of a truly responsive Open Platform. The need for a programmatic, automated approach to client registration, capable of scaling with demand and minimizing human intervention, thus becomes acutely evident. This demand for automation is what drives the exploration of dynamic client registration, transforming a manual chore into a streamlined, policy-driven process.

Embracing Automation: OAuth 2.0 Dynamic Client Registration

The limitations of manual client registration spurred the development of standardized protocols for automating this process. Among these, the OAuth 2.0 Dynamic Client Registration Protocol (RFC 7591) stands out as the cornerstone for client self-registration in modern IAM systems. This protocol defines a method for client applications to register themselves with an OAuth 2.0 Authorization Server (like Keycloak) programmatically, without requiring manual administrative intervention for each new client. It's a critical enabler for Open Platform initiatives, allowing a diverse ecosystem of applications and services to integrate seamlessly and autonomously.

At its core, DCR defines a specific endpoint on the Authorization Server, known as the Registration Endpoint. Clients make an HTTP POST request to this endpoint, sending a JSON document (the Client Metadata) that describes their properties, such as redirect_uris, client_name, grant_types, response_types, scope, token_endpoint_auth_method, and other relevant configuration parameters. Upon successful validation of this metadata, the Authorization Server registers the client and returns a registration response, which includes the assigned client_id, potentially a client_secret (for confidential clients), and importantly, a registration_access_token and registration_client_uri. The registration_client_uri allows the client to later retrieve or update its registration information, while the registration_access_token is used to authorize these subsequent operations.

Keycloak's Implementation of DCR

Keycloak fully supports the OAuth 2.0 Dynamic Client Registration Protocol, providing a robust and configurable implementation. It exposes a DCR endpoint for each realm, typically located at /auth/realms/{realm_name}/clients-registrations/openid-connect. Clients can interact with this endpoint using standard HTTP methods.

Initial Access Tokens (IATs) and Controlled Registration

While the DCR protocol enables self-registration, allowing any client to register without prior authorization would be a significant security risk, effectively creating an Open Platform that is too open, vulnerable to malicious clients flooding the system or registering fraudulent redirect URIs. To mitigate this, the protocol introduces the concept of Initial Access Tokens (IATs).

An IAT is a bearer token issued by Keycloak (typically through an administrative action or a more controlled process) that grants a specific client or a client acting on behalf of a developer the permission to register new clients. When a client sends a DCR request, it includes this IAT in the Authorization: Bearer header. Keycloak then validates the IAT, ensuring it's valid, unexpired, and has the necessary scope to permit client registration. If the IAT is valid, the registration proceeds; otherwise, it's rejected.

This mechanism transforms DCR from an entirely open process into a controlled self-registration model. Administrators can issue IATs with specific lifespans, scopes, and even associate them with particular client registration policies, effectively delegating the ability to register clients while maintaining strict oversight. For instance, an IAT might be issued to a specific developer team, allowing them to register up to 10 clients for a period of one month, and only allowing public clients with specific redirect URI patterns. This controlled delegation is crucial for managing access to sensitive apis and maintaining the integrity of the IAM system within an Open Platform.

Client Registration Policies

Keycloak extends the DCR protocol with sophisticated Client Registration Policies. These policies allow administrators to define rules that govern the properties and behaviors of dynamically registered clients. Policies can enforce various constraints and configurations, such as:

• Allowed Grant Types: Limiting clients to specific OAuth 2.0 grant types (e.g., only Authorization Code Flow).
• Redirect URI Restrictions: Enforcing specific patterns or domains for redirect URIs, preventing rogue clients from registering broad or malicious callback URLs.
• Client Scopes: Mandating or restricting the default scopes a client can request.
• Client Roles: Automatically assigning specific roles to newly registered clients.
• Client Secret Requirements: Ensuring confidential clients adhere to complexity requirements for their secrets or that public clients never generate one.
• Consent Requirements: Forcing newly registered clients to always require user consent for certain permissions.

These policies are powerful tools for ensuring that even dynamically registered clients adhere to the organization's security and operational standards. They allow for the creation of an Open Platform that is both flexible for developers and rigorously secure, striking a balance between autonomy and control.

Use Cases for Dynamic Client Registration

DCR is particularly valuable in several modern architectural patterns:

1. Microservices Architectures: In environments with numerous microservices, each potentially acting as a client to Keycloak, DCR enables services to dynamically register themselves during deployment or startup. This eliminates manual configuration, accelerates deployment pipelines, and reduces operational overhead. As new services are introduced or scaled, they can seamlessly integrate into the secured ecosystem.
2. Multi-tenant Applications: For SaaS providers hosting multiple tenants, DCR can allow each tenant to register their own client applications within a shared Keycloak instance (or dedicated realms). This provides isolation and customization for each tenant's integration needs without manual intervention by the SaaS provider.
3. Developer Portals and api Gateways: A developer portal often serves as a self-service Open Platform where external developers can register their applications to consume apis. The portal can utilize DCR on the backend to create Keycloak clients on behalf of these developers, streamlining the onboarding process. An api gateway might similarly manage client credentials and registration as part of its overall API management strategy. This is a critical point where services like APIPark become highly relevant.
4. Device Integration: For IoT devices or specific embedded applications that need to register themselves to access certain services, DCR provides a programmatic way for these devices to establish their identity securely.

In essence, DCR transforms client registration from a manual, centralized task into an automated, distributed process, empowering applications and services to manage their own lifecycle within the IAM system, all while under the watchful eye of Keycloak's robust security policies. This automation is a cornerstone for building truly scalable and agile Open Platform ecosystems that can rapidly adapt to evolving business needs and technological landscapes, especially those heavily reliant on apis.

Specific Client Self-Registration Scenarios and Implementation

Now that we have established the foundational understanding of DCR and Keycloak's capabilities, let's explore specific scenarios for client self-registration, each with distinct levels of control and use cases. These scenarios demonstrate the flexibility Keycloak offers in balancing developer autonomy with enterprise-grade security, particularly pertinent for api ecosystems and Open Platform initiatives.

Scenario 1: Controlled Dynamic Client Registration with Initial Access Tokens

This is the most common and recommended approach for client self-registration in production environments where some level of administrative oversight or delegated control is desired. It leverages IATs to authorize the registration process, ensuring that only trusted entities can create new clients.

Implementation Steps:

1. Create an Initial Access Token (IAT) in Keycloak:
   • Log into the Keycloak Admin Console.
   • Navigate to your desired realm.
   • Go to "Realm Settings" -> "Client Registration".
   • Under the "Initial Access Tokens" tab, click "Create".
   • You can set a count (how many clients can be registered using this token) and an expiration for the token. For example, you might create an IAT that allows 5 client registrations and expires in 24 hours for a specific development sprint.
   • Keycloak will generate a unique token. Crucially, copy this token immediately as it will not be displayed again. This token is effectively a one-time or limited-use password for client registration.
   • Consider creating multiple IATs for different teams or purposes, each with specific counts, expirations, and perhaps associated with different client registration policies. This allows for fine-grained delegation of registration capabilities.
2. Define Client Registration Policies (Optional but Recommended):
   • In the same "Client Registration" section, go to the "Client Registration Policies" tab.
   • Keycloak comes with default policies, but you can create custom ones or modify existing ones.
   • For instance, you might create a policy that:
     • Restricts redirect_uris to a specific domain (*.mycompany.com).
     • Enforces the use of authorization_code grant type.
     • Requires PKCE for public clients.
     • Prohibits the use of the implicit flow.
   • These policies ensure that even with an IAT, newly registered clients adhere to your security standards. Assign these policies to the IATs you create or set them as default for the realm's DCR endpoint.
3. Client Application Initiates Registration:Example curl Command:bash curl -X POST \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_INITIAL_ACCESS_TOKEN>" \ -d '{ "redirect_uris": ["https://my-app.example.com/callback"], "client_name": "My Secure Web App", "grant_types": ["authorization_code"], "response_types": ["code"], "token_endpoint_auth_method": "client_secret_post", "scope": "openid profile email" }' \ "http://localhost:8080/auth/realms/myrealm/clients-registrations/openid-connect"
   • The client application (or a script acting on its behalf) constructs a JSON payload containing its desired metadata.
   • It then makes an HTTP POST request to Keycloak's DCR endpoint, including the obtained IAT in the Authorization: Bearer header.
4. Keycloak Response:
   • Upon successful registration, Keycloak returns a JSON response containing the client_id, client_secret (if applicable), registration_access_token, and registration_client_uri.
   • The client application should securely store the client_id and client_secret for future authentication requests. The registration_access_token and registration_client_uri can be used to manage (view/update/delete) the client's registration details later.

This scenario is ideal for internal teams, partner integrations, or any situation where a controlled delegation of client registration is desired. It allows for automation while maintaining a strong security posture over your apis and Open Platform.

Scenario 2: Public Client Registration (Less Common for Uncontrolled Self-Registration)

While DCR fundamentally allows for public client registration, an uncontrolled public client self-registration (i.e., without any IAT) is generally highly discouraged due to significant security risks. It would mean anyone could register an arbitrary client, potentially leading to phishing attacks or resource exhaustion. However, there are conceptual scenarios where a highly constrained and tightly monitored "public self-registration" might be considered, typically mediated by another trusted service.

A more practical interpretation of "public client self-registration" often refers to the dynamic registration of public clients with an IAT, or where the "self-registration" occurs through a trusted intermediary service.

Considerations for "Public" Self-Registration (even with IATs):

• Strict Redirect URI Validation: This is absolutely critical. Policies must strictly enforce allowed redirect_uri patterns (e.g., specific domains, not just localhost).
• PKCE Enforcement: Always enforce PKCE for public clients to prevent authorization code interception.
• Limited Scopes: Newly registered public clients should initially be granted only the most basic scopes (e.g., openid, profile) and require explicit administrator approval or further steps to gain access to sensitive apis.
• Automated Review/Approval Workflow: Even if technically self-registered, a human review or an automated policy engine should scrutinize new public client registrations before they gain access to significant resources. This is where the Open Platform needs a human touch or advanced automation.

Example curl for Public Client (with IAT):

curl -X POST \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_INITIAL_ACCESS_TOKEN>" \
  -d '{
        "redirect_uris": ["https://my-spa.example.com/callback"],
        "client_name": "My Public SPA",
        "grant_types": ["authorization_code"],
        "response_types": ["code"],
        "token_endpoint_auth_method": "none",
        "require_pushed_authorization_requests": false,
        "scope": "openid profile",
        "attributes": {
            "oauth2.pkce.code.challenge.method": "S256"
        }
      }' \
  "http://localhost:8080/auth/realms/myrealm/clients-registrations/openid-connect"

Note token_endpoint_auth_method: "none" indicating a public client, and the implied need for PKCE.

Scenario 3: Client Registration through an External Gateway or Developer Portal (Mediated Self-Registration)

This scenario is particularly relevant for Open Platform strategies where external developers or partners integrate with an organization's apis. Here, the "self-registration" isn't directly with Keycloak but is orchestrated by an intermediary system, often an api gateway or a dedicated developer portal. This intermediary acts as a trusted front-end, simplifying the developer experience while ensuring all Keycloak-specific requirements and security policies are met on the backend.

The developer portal (or api gateway) typically provides a user-friendly interface where developers can create their applications, define redirect_uris, and specify required apis. When a developer submits this information, the portal's backend logic then uses its own Keycloak client credentials or a specially issued IAT to perform the actual DCR request to Keycloak.

Benefits of Mediated Self-Registration:

• Simplified Developer Experience: Developers interact with a familiar web interface rather than Keycloak's DCR API directly.
• Abstraction of Keycloak Details: The portal abstracts away Keycloak's internal complexities, requiring developers to provide only application-specific details.
• Enhanced Policy Enforcement: The portal can add another layer of policy enforcement, business logic, or approval workflows before even attempting DCR with Keycloak. This could include vetting developer identities, enforcing naming conventions, or linking client registrations to subscription tiers.
• Integration with API Management: This approach naturally integrates client registration with broader api management capabilities, such as api key provisioning, subscription management, and api usage analytics.

This is precisely where solutions like APIPark shine. APIPark, as an open-source AI gateway & API Management Platform, acts as this crucial intermediary. It not only manages the entire lifecycle of apis—from design and publication to invocation and decommission—but also simplifies the integration of various AI models and REST services.

When a developer uses APIPark to register a new application that needs to access apis secured by Keycloak, APIPark can leverage its backend intelligence to dynamically register the corresponding client in Keycloak. APIPark's ability to provide a "Unified API Format for AI Invocation" means that even as underlying AI models change, the client's interaction with the api through APIPark remains stable, simplifying the client's configuration and reducing the need for frequent Keycloak client updates. Furthermore, APIPark's "End-to-End API Lifecycle Management" ensures that the Keycloak client registration is seamlessly integrated into the broader api provisioning and governance process. APIPark allows for "API Service Sharing within Teams" and "Independent API and Access Permissions for Each Tenant", aligning perfectly with Keycloak's multi-tenancy capabilities and facilitating a robust Open Platform. By using APIPark as the gateway layer, organizations can ensure that "API Resource Access Requires Approval" even for self-registered clients, adding a critical layer of security before the Keycloak client is granted access tokens. This holistic approach, integrating Keycloak's strong identity management with APIPark's advanced API management, provides an ideal Open Platform for both traditional apis and AI services.

The official website for APIPark is https://apipark.com/.

Scenario 4: Custom Client Registration Workflows with Keycloak SPIs

For highly specialized requirements that go beyond the standard DCR protocol or Keycloak's built-in policies, Keycloak offers Service Provider Interfaces (SPIs). SPIs allow developers to extend Keycloak's functionality by implementing custom providers for various services, including client registration.

Examples of Customization via SPIs:

• Custom Validation Logic: Implementing bespoke validation rules for client metadata (e.g., ensuring client names follow a specific regex, validating external service dependencies).
• External Integration: Triggering external systems (e.g., a CRM, a billing system, or a provisioning system) upon successful client registration to create corresponding entries or initiate workflows.
• Complex Approval Workflows: Integrating a multi-stage human approval process for certain client types or requests before the client is formally registered in Keycloak.
• Automated Client Configuration: Dynamically generating complex client configurations based on external factors or specific business rules not covered by standard policies.

Implementing custom SPIs requires a deep understanding of Keycloak's internal architecture and Java development. It offers the ultimate flexibility but comes with the responsibility of maintaining the custom code. This approach is best reserved for scenarios where no other standard Keycloak feature or policy can meet the unique requirements of the Open Platform.

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Implementing Client Self-Registration in Keycloak: A Practical Deep Dive

Let's consolidate the practical steps and considerations for enabling and managing client self-registration within Keycloak, emphasizing how these configurations contribute to a secure and efficient Open Platform for apis.

Enabling Dynamic Client Registration

First, ensure DCR is enabled for your realm.

1. Navigate to Realm Settings: In the Keycloak Admin Console, select your realm and go to "Realm Settings".
2. Client Registration Tab: Click on the "Client Registration" tab.
3. OpenID Connect Registration Access: Here, you'll see options for "OpenID Connect Registration Access".
   • "Require Initial Access Token": This dropdown determines the level of control.
     • Disabled: Allows any client to register without an IAT (highly risky, generally avoid in production).
     • Enabled: Requires an IAT for all DCR requests (recommended for controlled self-registration).
     • Optionally Enabled: Allows registration with or without an IAT (a flexible but potentially less secure option, use with extreme caution and strong policies).
   • "Allow Spontaneous Scopes": Determines if clients can request scopes that are not explicitly defined in the realm or if they need to be pre-defined. Generally, restrict this in an Open Platform to prevent clients from requesting arbitrary permissions.
   • "Client Scopes": You can define default scopes that newly registered clients will automatically receive. This is useful for providing a baseline level of access.

Configuring Initial Access Tokens (IATs)

As discussed, IATs are crucial for controlled self-registration.

1. Create New IAT: In the "Client Registration" -> "Initial Access Tokens" tab, click "Create".
2. Set Constraints:
   • Count: Specify how many clients can be registered with this token. A value of -1 means unlimited. Use carefully.
   • Expiration: Set a lifespan for the token (e.g., 1 day, 1 week). Short-lived tokens are more secure.
3. Associate Policies: Optionally, link the IAT to specific client registration policies you've defined to ensure consistency.

Once created, the token value will be displayed only once. Copy it securely. This IAT can then be distributed to trusted teams or systems (like your API gateway or developer portal) that are authorized to perform client registrations.

Implementing Client Registration Policies

Client registration policies are your first line of defense against misconfigured or malicious clients, even when using IATs.

1. Define Policies: Go to "Client Registration" -> "Client Registration Policies". You can create new policies or modify existing ones.
2. Policy Attributes: Policies can enforce various rules:
   • Redirect URIs: Use regular expressions to match redirect_uris. For example, https://(dev|qa|prod)\.mycompany\.com/callback to restrict to specific environments. This is a critical security measure for any Open Platform.
   • Grant Types: Only allow authorization_code for web applications. Prohibit implicit flow.
   • Client Authentication: For confidential clients, enforce client_secret_jwt or private_key_jwt over simple client_secret_post for stronger authentication.
   • PKCE: Ensure PKCE is required for all public clients (token_endpoint_auth_method: none).
   • Client Roles: Automatically assign a developer role or api-consumer role to newly registered clients.
3. Assign Policies: Policies can be assigned as "Default" for all DCR, or specific IATs can be configured to use certain policies, allowing for different tiers of registration control.

Practical Example: DCR via curl for a Confidential Client

Let's walk through a curl example for registering a confidential client, assuming an IAT is required and a policy limits redirect URIs.

# 1. Obtain an Initial Access Token (manually from Keycloak Admin Console)
#    Example: eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCIgOiAiSldUIiwi... (truncated for brevity)
INITIAL_ACCESS_TOKEN="eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCIgOiAiSldUIiwi..."

# 2. Define the DCR endpoint for your Keycloak realm
KEYCLOAK_REALM="myrealm"
KEYCLOAK_BASE_URL="http://localhost:8080/auth"
DCR_ENDPOINT="$KEYCLOAK_BASE_URL/realms/$KEYCLOAK_REALM/clients-registrations/openid-connect"

# 3. Construct the client metadata payload
#    Note: "token_endpoint_auth_method": "client_secret_post" indicates a confidential client.
#    Keycloak will generate the client_secret and return it.
CLIENT_METADATA='{
  "client_name": "My Confidential Service",
  "redirect_uris": ["https://my-service.internal.com/auth/callback"],
  "grant_types": ["authorization_code", "client_credentials"],
  "response_types": ["code"],
  "token_endpoint_auth_method": "client_secret_post",
  "scope": "openid profile email offline_access"
}'

# 4. Send the DCR request
response=$(curl -s -X POST \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $INITIAL_ACCESS_TOKEN" \
  -d "$CLIENT_METADATA" \
  "$DCR_ENDPOINT")

echo "DCR Response:"
echo "$response" | python -m json.tool

# Parse essential info from the response (using a tool like jq in a real script)
CLIENT_ID=$(echo "$response" | jq -r '.client_id')
CLIENT_SECRET=$(echo "$response" | jq -r '.client_secret')
REGISTRATION_ACCESS_TOKEN=$(echo "$response" | jq -r '.registration_access_token')
REGISTRATION_CLIENT_URI=$(echo "$response" | jq -r '.registration_client_uri')

echo "------------------------------------"
echo "Registered Client ID: $CLIENT_ID"
echo "Registered Client Secret: $CLIENT_SECRET"
echo "Registration Access Token: $REGISTRATION_ACCESS_TOKEN"
echo "Registration Client URI: $REGISTRATION_CLIENT_URI"

# Example of how to retrieve client details later using registration_client_uri and registration_access_token
echo "------------------------------------"
echo "Retrieving client details later:"
curl -s -X GET \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $REGISTRATION_ACCESS_TOKEN" \
  "$REGISTRATION_CLIENT_URI" | python -m json.tool

# Example of how to delete client later:
# echo "------------------------------------"
# echo "Deleting client later:"
# curl -s -X DELETE \
#   -H "Authorization: Bearer $REGISTRATION_ACCESS_TOKEN" \
#   "$REGISTRATION_CLIENT_URI"

This example demonstrates a complete flow, from obtaining an IAT (conceptually) to performing the registration and then managing the registered client. This programmatic approach is a cornerstone for automating the deployment and integration of services within an Open Platform ecosystem.

Managing and Monitoring Dynamically Registered Clients

Once clients are self-registered, their lifecycle doesn't end. Effective management and monitoring are crucial.

• Keycloak Admin Console: Dynamically registered clients appear just like manually created ones in the "Clients" section. Administrators can view, modify, or revoke them as needed.
• Registration Access Tokens: The registration_client_uri and registration_access_token returned by the DCR process allow the client itself (or the system that registered it) to update or delete its own registration details programmatically. This decentralizes lifecycle management, aligning with Open Platform principles.
• Auditing and Logging: Keycloak provides comprehensive event logging. Monitor client registration events to detect suspicious activity. Integrate Keycloak logs with your central logging and SIEM systems to gain visibility into who registered what, when, and from where. This is crucial for security and compliance, especially for an Open Platform with many interacting apis.
• Periodic Review: Regularly review the list of registered clients. Remove outdated or unused client registrations to minimize attack surface. Ensure IATs are rotated or expired as appropriate.

By meticulously configuring DCR, implementing robust policies, and actively managing the client lifecycle, organizations can harness the power of client self-registration to accelerate development, enhance operational agility, and build a truly resilient and secure Open Platform for their apis and services.

Security Considerations for Client Self-Registration

While client self-registration offers immense benefits in terms of agility and automation, it also introduces specific security challenges that must be addressed meticulously. A poorly secured DCR implementation can become a significant attack vector for an Open Platform, compromising not just Keycloak itself, but all applications and apis it protects.

Threats and Vulnerabilities

1. Unauthorized Client Registration: The most obvious threat is allowing unauthorized entities to register clients. This can lead to:
   • Resource Exhaustion: Malicious actors could flood Keycloak with numerous client registrations, potentially exhausting server resources or database capacity.
   • Phishing Attacks: Registration of clients with legitimate-looking names and redirect URIs to collect user credentials.
   • Malicious api Access: Registering a client with broad access to internal apis, potentially leading to data breaches or service disruption.
2. Weak Initial Access Tokens (IATs): If IATs are easily guessable, long-lived, or widely distributed without proper controls, they lose their protective value. A compromised IAT is akin to a master key for client registration.
3. Broad Redirect URI Patterns: Allowing overly permissive redirect_uri patterns (e.g., *, or domains that are not strictly controlled) is a critical vulnerability. It allows an attacker to register a client that redirects users to an attacker-controlled site after authentication, facilitating authorization code interception attacks or phishing. This directly compromises the security of the tokens for api access.
4. Insecure Client Secret Handling: For confidential clients, if the generated client_secret is not securely stored or transmitted, it can be intercepted and used to impersonate the legitimate client.
5. Lack of Policy Enforcement: Without robust client registration policies, even authorized DCR can result in the creation of weakly configured clients (e.g., clients using insecure grant types, or requesting excessive scopes), thereby weakening the overall security posture of the Open Platform.

Best Practices for Secure DCR

To mitigate these threats, a multi-layered security approach is essential:

1. Strict IAT Management:
   • Require IATs: Always configure Keycloak to require IATs for DCR in production environments.
   • Short Lifespan: Issue IATs with short expiration times. They should be used for a specific purpose and then discarded.
   • Limited Count: When possible, set a maximum number of clients an IAT can register.
   • Secure Distribution: Distribute IATs only to trusted systems or personnel via secure channels. Treat them like sensitive credentials.
   • Rotation: Periodically rotate IATs, even if they haven't expired, to reduce the window of opportunity for compromise.
2. Robust Client Registration Policies:
   • Strict Redirect URI Validation: This is paramount. Implement regular expression-based policies that strictly limit redirect_uris to known and controlled domains or sub-paths. Avoid wildcards unless absolutely necessary and thoroughly justified. For example, https://my-app-*.mycompany.com/auth/callback is more secure than https://*.mycompany.com/*.
   • Enforce Secure Grant Types: Disable or prohibit insecure grant types like the Implicit Flow via policies. Favor Authorization Code with PKCE for public clients and Authorization Code or Client Credentials for confidential clients.
   • Mandate PKCE for Public Clients: Ensure all public clients dynamically registered are forced to use PKCE for enhanced security.
   • Limit Scopes and Roles: Define default scopes that are minimal and restrict dynamically registered clients from requesting excessive permissions. Any additional, sensitive api access should require explicit administrator approval or further steps.
   • Enforce Strong Authentication for Confidential Clients: Encourage or mandate client_secret_jwt or private_key_jwt for confidential clients for stronger authentication than a simple shared secret.
   • Review Policies Regularly: Revisit and update your client registration policies as your Open Platform evolves and new security best practices emerge.
3. Secure Client Secret Handling:
   • One-time Display: Keycloak only displays the client_secret once after registration. Ensure the registering application or system securely captures and stores this secret immediately.
   • Encrypted Storage: Client secrets should always be stored encrypted at rest and in transit.
   • Secret Rotation: Implement a mechanism for periodic client secret rotation for confidential clients. Keycloak supports this, allowing clients to generate new secrets and invalidate old ones.
4. Logging, Monitoring, and Auditing:
   • Monitor DCR Events: Configure Keycloak to log all client registration attempts, successes, and failures. Pay close attention to registration attempts from unusual IP addresses or with suspicious metadata.
   • Integrate with SIEM: Forward Keycloak logs to a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system for centralized analysis, anomaly detection, and alerting.
   • Regular Audits: Periodically audit registered clients, IATs, and client registration policies to ensure they align with security requirements and that no unauthorized or misconfigured clients exist. Remove unused or stale clients promptly. This vigilance is crucial for the health of any Open Platform exposing apis.
5. External Mediation (API Gateway or Developer Portal):
   • As highlighted with APIPark, leveraging an external api gateway or developer portal to mediate DCR adds another layer of control and abstraction. This intermediary can perform additional vetting, integrate with business workflows, and enforce organizational-specific rules before initiating the DCR request to Keycloak.
   • Such a gateway can also manage the lifecycle of the IATs and client secrets on behalf of the developer, ensuring they are handled securely.

By rigorously applying these security measures, organizations can confidently embrace client self-registration, transforming it from a potential vulnerability into a powerful enabler for building a flexible, scalable, and secure Open Platform that effectively manages access to all its apis and resources. The goal is to create an environment where innovation can thrive without compromising on the bedrock of security.

Management and Lifecycle of Dynamically Registered Clients

The process of client self-registration is just the beginning of a client's journey within an Open Platform. Effective management of client lifecycles is equally crucial for maintaining security, operational efficiency, and system integrity. This involves not only the initial registration but also updates, revocations, and continuous monitoring. Keycloak provides a comprehensive set of features to manage these aspects, whether the clients were registered manually or dynamically.

Updating Client Configurations

As applications evolve, their configuration details, such as redirect_uris, required scopes, or grant_types, may change. Keycloak supports programmatic updates for dynamically registered clients, leveraging the registration_client_uri and registration_access_token returned during the initial DCR process.

A client or the system that registered it can make an HTTP GET request to its registration_client_uri (with the registration_access_token in the Authorization header) to retrieve its current configuration. To update, a PUT request is made to the same registration_client_uri, sending a JSON payload with the updated client metadata.

Example curl for Updating Client:

# Assuming you have CLIENT_ID, REGISTRATION_ACCESS_TOKEN, REGISTRATION_CLIENT_URI from earlier DCR
# Make sure to update the REGISTRATION_ACCESS_TOKEN if it has expired and re-obtain it if your DCR allows.

UPDATED_METADATA='{
  "client_name": "My Updated Confidential Service",
  "redirect_uris": ["https://my-service.internal.com/auth/callback", "https://my-service.internal.com/new-callback"],
  "grant_types": ["authorization_code", "client_credentials"],
  "response_types": ["code"],
  "token_endpoint_auth_method": "client_secret_post",
  "scope": "openid profile email offline_access microservice_access"
}'

curl -X PUT \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $REGISTRATION_ACCESS_TOKEN" \
  -d "$UPDATED_METADATA" \
  "$REGISTRATION_CLIENT_URI"

This capability is vital for agile development, where microservices might update their deployment locations or require new api permissions over time. It allows for automated configuration updates without manual administrative intervention, keeping the Open Platform fluid and responsive.

Revoking and Deleting Clients

When an application is decommissioned, retired, or its security is compromised, its registration in Keycloak must be revoked or deleted.

• Programmatic Deletion: Similar to updates, clients can be programmatically deleted by making an HTTP DELETE request to their registration_client_uri, again authorized by the registration_access_token. This immediate deletion is critical in security incident response scenarios for an api driven Open Platform.Example curl for Deleting Client:bash curl -X DELETE \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $REGISTRATION_ACCESS_TOKEN" \ "$REGISTRATION_CLIENT_URI"
• Manual Deletion via Admin Console: Administrators can always delete clients directly from the Keycloak Admin Console. This is useful for cleaning up stale registrations or responding to critical security threats where programmatic access might be compromised.
• Disabling Clients: Instead of outright deletion, clients can be disabled in the Admin Console. A disabled client cannot authenticate users or obtain tokens, but its configuration remains, allowing for potential re-enablement. This is a softer form of revocation.
• Client Secret Rotation: For confidential clients, periodic rotation of client_secret is a strong security practice. Keycloak allows clients to programmatically obtain new secrets using the registration_access_token, ensuring that compromised secrets have a limited lifespan.

Auditing Client Activity

Keycloak's event logging capabilities provide an invaluable audit trail for client-related activities.

• Registration Events: Keycloak logs events for successful and failed client registrations, including details about the client, the IP address of the requester, and the IAT used.
• Authentication Events: Every time a client attempts to authenticate a user or itself, Keycloak logs the event, providing data on success/failure, client ID, user, and IP.
• Token Issuance/Revocation: Events related to token issuance, refresh, and revocation are also logged, offering a complete picture of client access patterns to apis.

Integrating these Keycloak event logs with a centralized logging system and a SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) platform is crucial. This enables real-time monitoring, anomaly detection, and automated alerting for suspicious activities, such as: * Excessive client registration attempts. * Registration attempts from unusual geographical locations. * Unexpected client deactivations or modifications. * High rates of failed client authentications.

Robust auditing ensures transparency and accountability within the Open Platform, allowing security teams to quickly identify and respond to potential threats or operational issues.

The Role of an API Management Platform in Client Lifecycle

Platforms like APIPark can significantly enhance the management of client lifecycles, especially in complex api ecosystems. While Keycloak handles the core IAM aspects, APIPark adds layers of business logic and operational control.

For instance, APIPark could: * Orchestrate DCR: Not only perform the initial DCR for a developer application but also manage the registration_access_token and registration_client_uri on behalf of the developer, facilitating updates and deletions through its own developer portal interface. * Link to API Subscriptions: Tie the Keycloak client lifecycle to api subscription models. When a developer unsubscribes from an api or their subscription expires, APIPark could automatically trigger the modification or deactivation of the corresponding Keycloak client to restrict api access. This aligns with APIPark's feature where "API Resource Access Requires Approval". * Enforce Business Rules: Implement custom business rules for client updates that go beyond Keycloak's technical policies. For example, requiring re-approval for certain types of redirect_uri changes or scope additions. * Provide Centralized Visibility: Offer a consolidated view of clients, their api subscriptions, usage metrics (APIPark's "Powerful Data Analysis" and "Detailed API Call Logging" features are invaluable here), and their Keycloak registration status, simplifying overall api governance and Open Platform management.

By integrating Keycloak's powerful IAM capabilities with APIPark's comprehensive API management, organizations can build an incredibly robust, secure, and developer-friendly Open Platform that manages the entire lifecycle of applications and their access to apis with unparalleled efficiency and control.

Bridging Keycloak, apis, and Gateways: Towards an Open Platform

The journey through client self-registration in Keycloak naturally leads us to a broader discussion about how Keycloak integrates with apis and gateways to form the bedrock of a secure and agile Open Platform. Keycloak's primary function is to issue and validate tokens that grant access to protected resources, which in today's architectures are overwhelmingly apis. The client self-registration mechanisms we've explored are fundamental to how applications acquire these tokens, making them an indispensable part of any api governance strategy.

Keycloak as the Identity Provider for apis

Every api endpoint that requires authentication and authorization benefits from Keycloak. When a client application needs to call a protected api, it first obtains an access token from Keycloak (either directly via an OAuth flow or through a mediation layer). This access token, typically a JSON Web Token (JWT), contains claims about the authenticated user (or client itself) and their permissions (scopes, roles). The api or an api gateway sitting in front of it can then validate this token using Keycloak's public keys. This ensures that only legitimate, authenticated, and authorized clients and users can access the api's resources.

The dynamic client registration process directly feeds into this security model. By allowing clients to self-register, an organization facilitates the onboarding of diverse applications that need to consume its apis. This speeds up development and integration, turning an otherwise cumbersome process into a seamless experience for developers. Whether it's internal microservices, partner applications, or external developer applications, each needs a valid Keycloak client entry to acquire tokens for api access. Without efficient client registration, securing apis at scale becomes an operational nightmare, hindering the very agility that microservices and Open Platform promise.

The Role of an API Gateway in the Ecosystem

An api gateway acts as a single entry point for a multitude of apis, abstracting away the complexities of the backend services. It performs crucial functions such as routing, load balancing, caching, request and response transformation, and most importantly, security enforcement. In a Keycloak-centric architecture, the api gateway becomes the primary enforcer of access policies derived from Keycloak tokens.

Here's how an api gateway typically interacts with Keycloak:

1. Token Validation: The gateway intercepts incoming api requests. If an access token is present in the request (e.g., in the Authorization: Bearer header), the gateway validates it against Keycloak's public keys. This validation checks the token's signature, expiration, issuer, and audience.
2. Authorization Enforcement: Based on the claims within the validated token (e.g., scope, roles), the gateway applies fine-grained authorization policies to determine if the client/user is permitted to access the requested api endpoint or perform the specific operation.
3. Client Credentials Management: In some advanced api gateway configurations, the gateway might even be responsible for orchestrating the dynamic client registration process with Keycloak on behalf of developers or other services. It can manage the IATs, construct the DCR requests, and securely store the resulting client_id and client_secret, abstracting these Keycloak-specific details from the end-user or developer.
4. Rate Limiting and Throttling: While not directly Keycloak's domain, the gateway can use client information (e.g., client_id) from the validated token to apply client-specific rate limits, ensuring fair usage and protecting backend apis from overload.

The synergy between Keycloak and an api gateway is undeniable. Keycloak provides the robust IAM foundation, issuing verifiable identities and access rights. The api gateway then operationalizes these rights, enforcing them efficiently at the edge of your Open Platform. This combination allows organizations to expose a rich set of apis securely, enabling controlled access for a broad ecosystem of applications and partners.

APIPark: An AI Gateway and Open Platform Catalyst

This is where a platform like APIPark naturally fits into the discussion. APIPark is designed as an open-source AI gateway and API Management Platform, perfectly positioned to enhance and secure an Open Platform that leverages Keycloak. APIPark offers a holistic solution for managing, integrating, and deploying not just traditional REST services, but also a rapidly growing number of AI models.

Consider how APIPark enhances the Keycloak-secured Open Platform:

• Unified API Access: APIPark's "Quick Integration of 100+ AI Models" and "Unified API Format for AI Invocation" mean that client applications, once registered with Keycloak (perhaps through APIPark itself), can access a vast array of AI and REST apis through a single, consistent interface. Keycloak provides the identity for the client, and APIPark provides the standardized, secure access to the actual api resources.
• Mediated Client Registration: As discussed in Scenario 3, APIPark can serve as the developer portal or gateway that orchestrates client registration with Keycloak. Developers interact with APIPark's intuitive interface, and APIPark's backend manages the Keycloak DCR process, securely handling IATs and client credentials. This streamlines developer onboarding for accessing all apis and AI models managed by APIPark.
• Enhanced API Lifecycle Management: APIPark's "End-to-End API Lifecycle Management" complements Keycloak's client lifecycle management. When a client application is onboarded via APIPark, its corresponding Keycloak client is created. APIPark can then enforce "API Resource Access Requires Approval" workflows, ensuring that even registered clients only gain access to specific apis after necessary business approvals, leveraging Keycloak's authorization capabilities.
• Security and Performance: With "Performance Rivaling Nginx," APIPark ensures that secure api access (with Keycloak token validation) doesn't come at the cost of performance. Its "Detailed API Call Logging" and "Powerful Data Analysis" provide granular visibility into api usage, complementing Keycloak's event logs for a comprehensive security and operational overview of the Open Platform.
• Open Platform Empowerment: APIPark's open-source nature and its ability to manage diverse apis (REST and AI) make it a natural fit for organizations building an Open Platform. It empowers developers by providing easy, secure access to internal and external services, fostering innovation while maintaining centralized control and security through its integration with IAM systems like Keycloak.

In essence, Keycloak establishes who can access resources, and APIPark facilitates how they access those resources, particularly apis, with high performance, excellent management, and robust security. Together, they form a formidable foundation for any organization striving to build a truly secure, scalable, and dynamic Open Platform ecosystem in the digital age. This synergy is critical for navigating the complexities of modern application development and api strategy.

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Conclusion

The ability for client applications to self-register with an Identity and Access Management system like Keycloak is no longer a niche feature but a cornerstone of modern, agile software development and Open Platform strategies. We have traversed the landscape from the rigidities of manual client registration to the dynamic and controlled automation offered by Keycloak's implementation of the OAuth 2.0 Dynamic Client Registration Protocol. By understanding the nuances of confidential versus public clients, meticulously managing Initial Access Tokens (IATs), and leveraging comprehensive Client Registration Policies, organizations can empower their development teams and integrate partners with unprecedented speed and efficiency, all while maintaining a rigorous security posture.

The strategic importance of self-registration extends far beyond mere convenience. It is a critical enabler for scaling microservices architectures, facilitating multi-tenant SaaS solutions, and fostering vibrant developer ecosystems around an api gateway or developer portal. When integrated correctly, dynamic client registration becomes a powerful mechanism for decentralized client lifecycle management, allowing applications to autonomously provision their access requirements within a well-defined security framework. However, this power comes with the responsibility of implementing robust security controls, from stringent redirect_uri validation and secure handling of client secrets to continuous monitoring and auditing of all registration activities.

Moreover, the synergistic relationship between Keycloak and specialized api management platforms like APIPark cannot be overstated. Keycloak provides the foundational identity and access control, ensuring that only authorized clients can obtain tokens. APIPark then takes this a step further, providing a high-performance AI Gateway that manages the entire lifecycle of apis (including AI models), orchestrates client interactions, enforces business-level access policies, and offers deep analytical insights into api usage. This layered approach creates an incredibly resilient, flexible, and developer-friendly Open Platform where innovation can thrive without compromising on security or operational governance.

In conclusion, mastering specific client self-registration in Keycloak is about more than just a technical implementation; it's about embracing an architectural paradigm that prioritizes automation, scalability, and security for the digital services and apis that drive today's interconnected world. By carefully designing and implementing these processes, organizations can unlock new levels of agility and lay a robust foundation for their future digital endeavors.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between user self-registration and client self-registration in Keycloak?

User self-registration in Keycloak allows individual users to create their own accounts within a realm, typically for logging into applications. This usually involves providing personal details, choosing a username and password, and often verifying their email address. Client self-registration, on the other hand, allows applications or services (the "clients") to programmatically register themselves with Keycloak, obtaining a client_id and potentially a client_secret so they can then interact with Keycloak to authenticate users or access protected apis. While both are "self-registration," they serve fundamentally different purposes: one for human identities, the other for application identities within an Open Platform.

2. Why is Dynamic Client Registration (DCR) important for an Open Platform and api ecosystems?

DCR is critical for an Open Platform because it automates the process of onboarding new applications or microservices that need to access apis. In dynamic, large-scale environments, manually registering each client becomes a bottleneck, hindering agility and scalability. DCR allows applications to programmatically provision their Keycloak client entries, speeding up development cycles, reducing operational overhead, and enabling a more self-service model for developers and partners consuming your apis. This automation is essential for any rapidly evolving Open Platform with a growing number of interacting services.

3. What is an Initial Access Token (IAT) and why is it necessary for DCR in Keycloak?

An Initial Access Token (IAT) is a bearer token issued by Keycloak that grants permission to register new clients using the Dynamic Client Registration endpoint. It's necessary because without it, the DCR endpoint would be completely open, allowing anyone to register arbitrary clients. This would pose significant security risks, such as resource exhaustion or the registration of malicious clients for phishing. IATs provide a crucial layer of control, allowing administrators to delegate the ability to register clients while still maintaining oversight, enforcing limits (e.g., number of registrations, expiration), and associating specific client registration policies, thus ensuring a controlled and secure Open Platform.

4. How can APIPark integrate with Keycloak for client self-registration and api management?

APIPark, as an AI gateway and API Management Platform, can act as a crucial intermediary. Instead of developers directly interacting with Keycloak's DCR endpoint, they would use APIPark's developer portal or interface to register their applications. APIPark's backend would then securely use its own Keycloak client credentials or a pre-issued Initial Access Token (IAT) to perform the actual DCR request on behalf of the developer. This way, APIPark abstracts Keycloak's complexities, adds business logic (like "API Resource Access Requires Approval"), and seamlessly integrates client lifecycle management with overall api lifecycle management, offering a unified and secure experience for an Open Platform consuming diverse apis and AI models. More details can be found on the ApiPark website.

5. What are the key security best practices for implementing client self-registration in Keycloak?

Key security best practices include: 1. Always require Initial Access Tokens (IATs) for DCR in production, and manage them with short lifespans and limited counts. 2. Implement robust Client Registration Policies to strictly validate redirect_uris (using regular expressions), enforce secure grant types (e.g., Authorization Code with PKCE for public clients), and restrict client scopes. 3. Ensure secure handling of client secrets (for confidential clients), including one-time display, secure storage, and periodic rotation. 4. Rigorously monitor Keycloak event logs for all DCR activities and integrate them with a SIEM for real-time threat detection. 5. Periodically audit registered clients and IATs to remove stale or unused entries and ensure continued adherence to security policies, especially critical for a dynamic Open Platform with many api integrations.

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