WebAuthn & iframes Integration for Cross-Origin Authentication
Tags: iframe, webdev, webauthn, passkeys
Published: 2024-06-11 09:00:00

## Introduction: Leveraging Passkeys in iframes
Passkeys offer a superior solution for user authentication, enhancing both security and user experience. A critical aspect of modern web development involves using iframes to embed content from various sources. This article explores how to effectively integrate passkeys within iframes, focusing on cross-origin iframes, to create a seamless login experience.

**_[Read Full Blog Post Here](https://www.corbado.com/blog/iframe-passkeys-webauthn)_**


## Types of iframes and Their Roles
Understanding the different types of iframes is essential for implementing passkeys effectively. Here are the primary types:
1. **Basic iframe:** Embeds content from another URL within the current page.
2. **Responsive iframe:** Adjusts its size based on the screen or container, ensuring a good appearance on all devices.
3. **Secure iframe (Sandboxed iframe):** Restricts actions within the iframe for enhanced security.
4. **Cross-Origin iframe:** Embeds content from a different domain, often used for integrating third-party services like payment gateways.

## How iframes Support Passkeys
Integrating passkeys within iframes introduces both capabilities and constraints. The Web Authentication API, crucial for passkeys, historically had limitations with cross-origin iframes due to security concerns. Recent advancements, however, have made it possible to perform both registration and authentication within cross-origin iframes under certain conditions.

## Login with Passkeys in Cross-Origin iframes
Login operations via cross-origin iframes are now supported across most major browsers, making it feasible to authenticate users seamlessly without redirects or pop-ups.

## Create Passkeys in Cross-Origin iframes
While login operations are broadly supported, creating passkeys in cross-origin iframes is still catching up in browser support. Chrome, Firefox, and Safari have begun to support this feature, with more comprehensive support expected as WebAuthn Level 3 specification is adopted by all major browsers by the end of 2024.

## Use Cases for Passkeys in iframes
Two significant use cases highlight the importance of passkeys in cross-origin iframes:
1. **Federated Identity:** Organizations with multiple domains can allow users to log in across different sites using a single passkey, simplifying user management and enhancing security.
2. **Payments:** Seamless payment processes can be achieved by integrating bank authentication within a merchant's website through cross-origin iframes, enhancing user experience and security.
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## Benefits of Using Passkeys in iframes

Embedding passkeys within iframes offers several advantages:
- **Enhanced User Experience:** Eliminates the need for pop-ups or redirects, providing a smoother, less disruptive user experience.
- **Improved Security:** Ensures secure transactions and user verification across different domains.

## Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Passkeys in iframes

To implement passkeys in iframes effectively, follow these steps:
- **Define Allow Attribute:** Configure the iframe to allow publickey-credentials-get and publickey-credentials-create.

```html
<iframe src="https://passkeys.eu" allow="publickey-credentials-get; publickey-credentials-create"></iframe>
```

- **Set Permission Policy:** Include the relevant Permissions-Policy in your HTTP response headers.

```
Permissions-Policy: publickey-credentials-get=*, publickey-credentials-create=*

```
- **Handle User Activation:** Ensure that the iframe content requires a user action to trigger authentication.

```javascript
document.getElementById('loginPasskeyButton').addEventListener('click', async () => {
    try {
        const publicKeyCredentialRequestOptions = { /* Configuration options */ };
        const credential = await navigator.credentials.get({ publicKey: publicKeyCredentialRequestOptions });
        // Handle the created credential
    } catch (err) {
        console.error('Error authenticating via passkey:', err);
    }
});
```

- **Example Implementation:** Use a sample HTML and JavaScript setup to integrate passkeys within a cross-origin iframe.

## Common Challenges and Solutions
1. **Permission Policy Configuration:** Ensure correct settings for allow attributes and HTTP headers.
2. **Browser Compatibility:** Test across multiple browsers and implement specific fixes as needed.
3. **Cross-Origin iframe Issues with Safari:** Be aware of Safari's limitations with cross-origin iframes and avoid third-party cookies.

## Conclusion
Integrating passkeys within iframes enhances security and user experience, offering a seamless authentication process. By understanding the types of iframes and following a structured implementation guide, developers can leverage this technology effectively.
**Find out more on Passkeys & iframes: [How to Create & Login with a Passkey](https://www.corbado.com/blog/iframe-passkeys-webauthn).**