Authentication & Security Overview

DocuPulse implements a comprehensive multi-layered security system designed to protect user data, ensure secure access control, and maintain detailed audit trails. The system combines traditional web authentication with modern security practices including CSRF protection, secure session management, granular permissions, and comprehensive event logging for compliance and security monitoring.

Authentication System
User Authentication
  • • Secure password hashing with Werkzeug
  • • Session-based authentication with Flask-Login
  • • Remember me functionality
  • • Secure logout with session cleanup
  • • Failed login attempt logging
  • • IP address tracking for security
Password Management
  • • Strong password requirements (8+ chars)
  • • Mixed case, numbers, and special chars
  • • Secure password reset via email
  • • Initial password setup tokens
  • • Password change enforcement
  • • Default password detection
Access Control
  • • Role-based permissions (Admin/Manager/User)
  • • Granular room-level permissions (7 levels)
  • • API key authentication for integrations
  • • CSRF token protection on all forms
  • • Secure headers and content security policy
  • • Input validation and sanitization
Audit & Monitoring
  • • Comprehensive event logging system
  • • User activity tracking and history
  • • Security event monitoring
  • • Failed login attempt logging
  • • File access audit trails
  • • Admin action logging
Authentication Flow
Login Process

User credentials are validated against the database, password is verified using secure hashing, and a session is created with appropriate permissions

Permission Validation

Each request is validated against user roles and room permissions, ensuring users can only access resources they're authorized to use

Session Management

Sessions are managed securely with automatic timeout, remember me functionality, and proper cleanup on logout

Audit Logging

All authentication events, security actions, and user activities are logged for compliance and security monitoring

Password Security
Password Requirements
Minimum Requirements
  • Minimum 8 characters
  • At least one uppercase letter
  • At least one lowercase letter
  • At least one number
  • At least one special character
Security Features
  • Werkzeug secure hashing
  • Default password detection
  • Password change enforcement
  • Secure reset tokens
  • Token expiration (1 hour)
Password Reset Process
Reset Request
  • 1. User requests password reset
  • 2. System validates email address
  • 3. Generates secure token (32 chars)
  • 4. Creates reset token record
  • 5. Sends email with reset link
  • 6. Logs reset request event
Reset Completion
  • 1. User clicks reset link
  • 2. System validates token
  • 3. Checks token expiration
  • 4. Validates new password
  • 5. Updates user password
  • 6. Marks token as used
Permission System
Role-Based Access Control
Administrator
  • Full system access
  • User management
  • System settings
  • All room permissions
  • Audit log access
Manager
  • Room management
  • Member management
  • Permission assignment
  • File operations
  • Limited admin access
Standard User
  • Basic file access
  • Room participation
  • Conversation access
  • Profile management
  • Permission-based actions
Granular Room Permissions
File Operations
  • can_view - View files and folders
  • can_download - Download files
  • can_upload - Upload new files
  • can_delete - Delete files
  • can_rename - Rename files
  • can_move - Move files between folders
Room Management
  • can_share - Share files with others
  • can_manage_members - Add/remove members
  • can_edit_room - Modify room settings
  • can_delete_room - Delete entire room
  • can_view_activity - View room activity
  • can_export_data - Export room data
Security Features
CSRF Protection

Cross-Site Request Forgery protection is implemented across all forms and API endpoints.

Implementation
  • Flask-WTF - CSRF protection library
  • csrf_token - Hidden form fields
  • generate_csrf() - Token generation
  • validate_csrf() - Token validation
  • exempt_routes - API exemptions
Security Benefits
  • Prevents unauthorized actions
  • Protects against malicious sites
  • Session-based token validation
  • Automatic token rotation
  • Secure token storage
Session Management
Session Features
  • Flask-Login - Session management
  • remember_me - Persistent sessions
  • session_timeout - Automatic expiration
  • secure_logout - Session cleanup
  • session_regeneration - Security rotation
Security Measures
  • Secure session cookies
  • HTTPS enforcement
  • Session fixation protection
  • Concurrent session limits
  • IP address tracking
Audit Logging System
Event Types
User Events
  • user_login - Login attempts
  • user_logout - Logout events
  • user_create - Account creation
  • user_update - Profile changes
  • user_delete - Account deletion
Security Events
  • password_change - Password updates
  • password_reset - Reset attempts
  • failed_login - Failed attempts
  • permission_change - Access updates
  • admin_action - Administrative actions
Logging Details
Captured Information
  • event_type - Type of event
  • user_id - User identifier
  • timestamp - Event time
  • ip_address - Client IP
  • user_agent - Browser info
  • details - Event specifics
Retention & Access
  • Permanent storage
  • Admin-only access
  • Search and filter
  • Export capabilities
  • Compliance ready
Quick Reference
User Roles
Admin Full Access
Manager Room & Conversation Management
User Basic Access
Room Permissions
View ✓
Download Optional
Upload Optional
Delete Restricted
Security Configuration
Framework
Flask-Login
Session management
CSRF Protection
Flask-WTF
Cross-site request forgery
Password Hashing
Werkzeug
Secure password hashing