MISP OidcAuth Method Not Populating Correctly

Hey guys, so we've been running into a bit of a head-scratcher with our MISP setup, specifically concerning OidcAuth authentication_method when using Authentik. It seems like no matter what we do, the authentication method isn't getting set correctly in the config.php file, leaving us in a bit of a pickle. We're on MISP version 2.5.23, and the issue pops up after a docker compose up. The documentation clearly states that for OidcAuth to play nice with Authentik, we need to set OIDC_AUTH_METHOD='client_secret_post' in our .env file. Normally, values from .env are supposed to be automatically populated into the ./config/config.php file within the OidcAuth array, just like other settings. But for this particular variable, it's just... empty. We're seeing 'authentication_method' => '', when it should be 'authentication_method' => 'client_secret_post',. It's super frustrating because if we manually pop that value into config.php, authentication works like a charm! The real kicker, though, is that config.php gets regenerated every time the Docker container spins up, wiping out our manual fix. So, we're stuck in a loop of fixing it, only for it to break again on the next restart. This article is going to break down why this might be happening and how we can get this OidcAuth authentication_method issue sorted for good.

Understanding the .env to config.php Sync

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks about how MISP usually handles these environment variables. In a typical MISP Docker setup, there's a mechanism designed to take the configuration values you set in your .env file and translate them into the config.php file. This config.php is the heart of MISP's configuration, holding all the nitty-gritty details for how it operates, including authentication settings. The idea is that you, the user, only need to worry about one file – the .env – and MISP takes care of the rest. This simplifies managing your instance, especially when you're dealing with complex setups like OIDC authentication. The problem we're facing is that this sync process seems to be hitting a snag specifically with the OIDC_AUTH_METHOD variable. It's like this one specific setting is being ignored or misinterpreted during the .env to config.php conversion. We've confirmed that other variables from .env are making their way into config.php correctly, which makes this OIDCAuth authentication_method glitch even more puzzling. It suggests that the parsing or mapping logic for this particular variable might be flawed or perhaps there's a subtle difference in how it's handled compared to others. We need to figure out why this specific value isn't making the jump, because as it stands, it’s a critical piece for getting OIDC authentication with Authentik fully operational. The fact that a manual edit works proves the value is correct, it's just not getting there automatically. This is a major roadblock for anyone trying to implement this authentication flow seamlessly. We'll be digging into potential causes for this sync failure and exploring ways to ensure our OidcAuth authentication_method is persisted.

Why is OIDC_AUTH_METHOD Being Left Blank?

So, why exactly is this OIDC_AUTH_METHOD variable getting left blank, guys? It's a super valid question, and honestly, it points to a few potential culprits within the MISP Docker orchestration. One primary suspect is how the MISP container or its startup scripts handle environment variable injection into config.php. There might be a specific script or process responsible for this population that either doesn't recognize OIDC_AUTH_METHOD as a variable it needs to transfer, or it might have a bug where it expects a different naming convention or format. Another possibility is related to the order of operations during container startup. Perhaps the script that populates config.php runs before the .env file is fully processed or made available to it, leading to missing information. We've seen this happen in other Docker environments where timing can be everything. It's also possible that the OIDC configuration in MISP has specific requirements or dependencies that aren't being met, causing the authentication_method to remain unset. This could be related to other OIDC settings that need to be in place first, or perhaps a version-specific quirk in how MISP v2.5.23 interacts with OIDC providers like Authentik. Furthermore, the issue could stem from the way the .env file itself is structured or interpreted. While we’ve set OIDC_AUTH_METHOD='client_secret_post', there might be invisible characters, incorrect formatting, or even case sensitivity issues that the MISP script isn't handling gracefully. We've double-checked, but it's always worth a second look. The fact that a manual override works tells us the value itself is valid and recognized by MISP once it's in config.php, but the automated process is failing. This really hones in on the synchronization or population step as the weak link for this specific OidcAuth authentication_method setting. It’s a frustrating gap in an otherwise well-documented process, and figuring out the root cause is key to a stable setup.

Manual Fix: A Temporary (But Working!) Solution

As we've already discovered, the immediate workaround for this OIDCAuth authentication_method problem is to manually edit the config.php file. This involves SSHing into your MISP server, navigating to the ./config/ directory, and opening config.php with your favorite text editor. Once inside, you'll need to locate the OidcAuth array and explicitly set the 'authentication_method' key to 'client_secret_post'. So, you're looking for a line that currently reads 'authentication_method' => '', and changing it to 'authentication_method' => 'client_secret_post',. Make sure you save the file afterwards! This manual intervention bypasses the automation issue entirely and immediately enables OIDC authentication with Authentik. It's a lifesaver when you need to get things working now. However, and this is the big 'but', as soon as you run docker compose up again, the container rebuilds, and this change gets overwritten. This means you're stuck in a cycle of applying the manual fix after every restart or update, which is obviously not ideal for a production environment. It's a temporary band-aid, but it confirms that the authentication method itself and the value are correct; it's just the persistence mechanism that's broken. This temporary fix is invaluable for testing and confirming that your OIDC setup can work, but it highlights the need for a more permanent solution to ensure the OIDCAuth authentication_method is correctly persisted.

The Persistence Problem: Why Changes Get Overwritten

This brings us to the core of the persistence problem, guys: why are our manual changes to config.php getting wiped out every time we restart the MISP Docker containers? The reason is pretty fundamental to how Docker manages container lifecycles and configuration. When you run docker compose up, Docker often recreates containers, especially if there have been changes to the configuration or if you're performing an update. The config.php file, in this scenario, is likely treated as a generated file within the container's filesystem. This means that any modifications made directly inside the container are lost when the container is destroyed and recreated. The persistent data for your MISP instance – like its database and uploaded files – is usually stored in Docker volumes, which survive container restarts. However, configuration files that are generated during the build process or on initial startup might not be part of these persistent volumes. The MISP Docker image likely contains a script that generates config.php based on environment variables found in .env and possibly other configuration sources. When the container starts, this script runs, creating a fresh config.php file, and thus overwriting any manual edits you made. This is why the OIDCAuth authentication_method reverts to being empty; the generation process doesn't seem to be correctly pulling the value from .env in the first place, and then it's overwritten anyway. To solve this, we need to ensure that either the generation process correctly reads the .env variable, or we need to find a way to inject our config.php modifications persistently. This is the key challenge we need to overcome for a stable OIDCAuth authentication_method configuration.

Potential Solutions and How to Implement Them

Okay, so we need a way to make this OIDCAuth authentication_method stick. Since manual edits are fleeting, we have to think about how to influence the generation process or provide the configuration persistently. One approach is to investigate the MISP Docker entrypoint scripts. These are the scripts that run when a container starts up. We need to find the script responsible for generating config.php and see if we can modify it to correctly parse and include the OIDC_AUTH_METHOD variable from .env. This might involve adding a specific sed command or awk script to directly insert the value if it's missing, or correcting how it's currently being processed. You'd typically look within the MISP Docker image's filesystem for files like entrypoint.sh or similar startup scripts. Another, often cleaner, method is to leverage Docker volumes for configuration. Instead of letting the container generate config.php on its own, you can mount your own config.php file as a volume into the container. This means you maintain the config.php file on your host machine, ensuring your manual edits persist across restarts. You would update your docker-compose.yml file to include a volume mapping for config.php (e.g., ./path/to/your/config.php:/var/www/MISP/app/Config/config.php). This way, the container uses your version of the file, complete with the correct OIDCAuth authentication_method, and it won't be overwritten. A third, more advanced, option could be to use a configuration management tool or a post-start hook that runs after the container is up and ensures the config.php is correctly configured. However, for most users, the volume mounting approach is usually the most straightforward and reliable way to manage persistent configuration like this. It gives you direct control and bypasses the automated generation quirks entirely, ensuring your OIDCAuth authentication_method is always as you set it.

Best Practices for OIDC Authentication in MISP

When you're setting up OIDC authentication in MISP, especially with providers like Authentik, there are definitely some best practices you'll want to keep in mind, guys. First off, always double-check your .env file. Make sure there are no typos, extra spaces, or hidden characters, especially around sensitive variables like OIDC_AUTH_METHOD. A seemingly minor mistake here can cascade into bigger issues. Secondly, understand your OIDC provider's configuration. Authentik, like other providers, has its own set of requirements and security settings. Ensure your client ID, client secret, scopes, and redirect URIs are correctly configured both in Authentik and within MISP's OIDC settings. This includes ensuring the token endpoint authentication method is set correctly on the provider side as well. Thirdly, use Docker volumes for persistent configuration. As we've discussed, relying on generated files that get overwritten is a recipe for frustration. Mounting your config.php or specific configuration directories as volumes ensures your settings, including the crucial OIDCAuth authentication_method, are preserved across container restarts and updates. This gives you peace of mind and reduces manual intervention significantly. Fourth, keep your MISP version updated, but be prepared for configuration changes. While we're troubleshooting a specific version issue here, generally, staying current with MISP releases ensures you have the latest security patches and features. Just be sure to read the release notes for any potential configuration impacts. Finally, test thoroughly in a staging environment before pushing changes to production. Use your manual fix or volume mount solution to confirm OIDC authentication is working as expected before committing to a live setup. By following these practices, you can build a more robust and reliable OIDC authentication system for your MISP instance, ensuring that critical settings like the OIDCAuth authentication_method are always correctly configured and persistent. It’s all about setting yourself up for success from the start.

Conclusion: Getting Your OIDCAuth Method Right

So, to wrap things up, the OIDCAuth authentication_method issue we've encountered in MISP, specifically when using Authentik and Docker, boils down to a failure in the automatic population of config.php from the .env file, coupled with the regeneration of this file upon container restarts. The manual fix works, proving the value is correct, but it's not a sustainable solution. The real key to solving this lies in either fixing the Docker image's entrypoint script to correctly parse and inject the OIDC_AUTH_METHOD variable, or, more practically for most users, leveraging Docker volumes to mount your own persistent config.php file into the container. This volume mounting approach bypasses the automatic generation process altogether, ensuring your manually set 'authentication_method' => 'client_secret_post', (or whatever your specific setting is) remains intact across all restarts and updates. By adopting this persistent configuration strategy, you can ensure your OIDC authentication with Authentik functions reliably without the constant need for manual intervention. Remember to follow the best practices we've discussed, like meticulous .env file checking and thorough testing, to build a stable and secure authentication setup for your MISP instance. Getting this OIDCAuth authentication_method right is crucial for seamless security, and with the right approach, it's definitely achievable.