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how does eap fast provide authentication

by Rashad Monahan Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How does EAP-FAST provide authentication?

  • Click “Settings” then select “Wireless & Networks” and “WiFi settings”.
  • If WiFi is not enabled, please enable it.
  • Select “eduroam”.
  • You may now be asked for a password to protect the credential storage on your device.
  • For “EAP method” select “PEAP”.

EAP-FAST uses a two-phase tunneled authentication process. In the first phase of authentication, EAP-FAST employs the TLS handshake to provide an authenticated key exchange and to establish a protected tunnel between the client and the authentication server.

Full Answer

What is EAP FAST used for?

EAP-FAST. EAP-FAST, also known as Flexible Authentication via Secure Tunneling, is an Extensible Authentication Protocol ( EAP) developed by Cisco. It is used in wireless networks and point-to-point connections to perform session authentication. Its purpose is to replace the Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol (LEAP).

What is Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)?

The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) is an architectural framework that provides extensibility for authentication methods for commonly used protected network access technologies, such as IEEE 802.1X-based wireless access, IEEE 802.1X-based wired access, and Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connections such as Virtual Private Networking (VPN).

What are the advantages of EAP-FAST?

One advantage of EAP-FAST is the ability to chain multiple authentications (using multiple inner methods) and bind it cryptographically together (EAP Chaining). Cisco implementations use this for user and machine authentications.

How does EAP-FAST use protected access credentials?

EAP-FAST utilizes Protected Access Credentials (PAC) in order to quickly establish the TLS tunnel (session resume) or to authorize the user/machine (skip inner method for authentication). There are 3 phases for EAP-FAST:

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What does EAP-FAST use for mutual authentication?

EAP-FAST (Flexible Authentication via Secure Tunneling) was developed by Cisco*. Instead of using a certificate to achieve mutual authentication. EAP-FAST authenticates by means of a PAC (Protected Access Credential) which can be managed dynamically by the authentication server.

How does EAP authentication work?

The EAP process works as follows:A user requests connection to a wireless network through an AP -- a station that transmits and receives data, sometimes known as a transceiver.The AP requests identification data from the user and transmits that data to an authentication server.More items...

What is the main advantage of EAP-fast over EAP-TLS and PEAP?

FAST was created by Cisco Systems as an alternative to PEAP that allows for faster re-authentications and supports faster wireless roaming. Just like PEAP, FAST forms a TLS outer-tunnel and then transmits the client credentials within that TLS tunnel.

What does EAP-TLS use for mutual authentication of both the server and the client?

EAP-TLS uses the TLS public key certificate authentication mechanism within EAP to provide mutual authentication of client to server and server to client. With EAP-TLS, both the client and the server must be assigned a digital certificate signed by a Certificate Authority (CA) that they both trust.

How the EAP authentication process works with the RADIUS server?

The RADIUS authentication server receives the client certificate and authenticates its identity as an approved network user. Depending on the user's certificate, the RADIUS sends an Access or Reject message to the authenticator.

How does wifi authentication work?

802.11 authentication is the first step in network attachment. 802.11 authentication requires a mobile device (station) to establish its identity with an Access Point (AP) or broadband wireless router. No data encryption or security is available at this stage. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

Which two EAP methods can use MSCHAPv2 for client authentication?

The two most popular EAP Types are PEAP-MSCHAPv2 for UserName and Password Authentication and EAP-TLS for certificate-based authentication.

What does the fast in EAP FAST stand for?

Flexible Authentication via Secure TunnelingUpdated: 04/26/2017 by Computer Hope. EAP-FAST, also known as Flexible Authentication via Secure Tunneling, is an EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) developed by Cisco. It is used in wireless networks and point-to-point connections to perform session authentication.

What is an advantage of using EAP-TLS over EAP MSCHAPv2 for client authentication?

While both EAP methods protect the data being sent over-the-air, they differ in overall security, efficiency, and user experience. EAP-TLS with certificate-based authentication is simply more secure and offers a superior user experience with benefits in efficiency and protection.

Does EAP FAST use certificates?

As a part of TLS negotiation in the first phase of EAP-FAST authentication, the authentication server presents the client with a certificate. The client must verify the validity of the EAP server certificate and also examines the EAP server name that is presented in order to determine if the server can be trusted.

When using Protected EAP How is the authentication process protected?

PEAP authenticates the server with a public key certificate and carries the authentication in a secure Transport Layer Security (TLS) session, over which the WLAN user, WLAN stations and the authentication server can authenticate themselves. Each station gets an individual encryption key.

Why is EAP TLS secure?

One of the primary security benefits of EAP-TLS networks is the ability to perform server certificate validation. This technique renders your users all but invulnerable to common over-the-air attacks like the notorious man-in-the-middle attack.

What is the major contribution by EAP-FAST to the frame format?

The major contribution by EAP-FAST to the frame format is the PAC fields and associated information in the phase 0 and subsequent conversations. Figure 7-20 shows the PAC-TLV.

What are the different authentication methods?

This chapter examines the authentication methods: EAP, PEAP, LEAP, and the newer, emerging paradigm EAP-FAST, and weighs the pros and cons of each, in terms of standardization maturity and effectiveness.

What is PAC refresh?

One of the built-in features in EAP-FAST is the PAC refresh, which can be done after successful authentication, at the end of Step 8. This functionality adds the secure update of the PAC as part of the EAP-FAST message exchange and infrastructure, thus making maintenance easier and more secure.

What is step 1 in AP?

Step 1, of course, is to have connectivity between the client/peer and AP, in addition to secure connections between the AP, EAP-FAST server, and authentication server.

What is a PAC key?

To bootstrap the process securely, EAP-FAST establishes a shared secret (between the client and the authentication server) referred to as the Protected Access Credential Key (PAC-Key). The PAC consists of the PAC-Key (32 bytes), an opaque field cached by the server, and PAC info (metadata about the PAC). The PAC is used to establish a tunnel that is then used to perform authentication. The three-phase EAP-FAST protocol is shown in Table 7-3.

What is EAP Fast?

The EAP-FAST protocol is a publicly accessible IEEE 802.1X EAP type that Cisco developed to support customers that cannot enforce a strong password policy and want to deploy an 802.1X EAP type that does not require digital certificates.

Where are ISE authentication logs?

ISE authentication logs showing EAP-FAST and PAC provisioning flow can be seen under " Operations -> RADIUS -> Live Logs " and can be looked in more details using " Zoom " icon:

What is PAC key?

PAC-Key —Shared secret bound to a client (and client device) and server identity.

Which EAP inner method is used in phase zero?

Ensure that EAP-MSCHAPver2 is selected as the authenticated method on the client profile for anonymous in-band provisioning. This is the only applicable EAP inner method in phase zero for anonymous in-band provisioning.

Does WLC add to device list on ISE?

Make sure the user credentials entered at the client side at the time of authentication are already configured in the ISE and WLC is added to device list on ISE.

What is EAP Fast?

EAP-FAST is a flexible EAP method which allows mutual authentication of a supplicant and a server. It is similar to EAP-PEAP, but typically does not require the use of client or even server certificates. One advantage of EAP-FAST is the ability to chain multiple authentications (using multiple inner methods) and bind it cryptographically together (EAP Chaining). Cisco implementations use this for user and machine authentications.

How many phases are there in EAP Fast?

There are 3 phases for EAP-FAST:

What happens if cryptobinding validation fails?

If cryptobinding validation fails, the whole EAP session fails. If one of the authentications within failed then it's still fine - as a result, ISE allows an administrator to configure multiple chaining results based on Authorization Condition NetworkAccess:EapChainingResult:

How are PACs delivered?

PACs are delivered after a successful authentication inside the TLS tunnel via PAC TLV (and PAC TLV Acknowledgement)

How often does ISE keep master keys?

In other words, ISE will keep all old master keys and generate a new one by default once per week. As the Master Key cannot expire, only the PAC TTL will be validated. The ISE Master Key generation period is configured from Administration -> Settings -> Protocol -> EAP-FAST -> EAP-FAST Settings.

What is a user/machine authorization PAC?

User/Machine Authorization PAC is used to store the previous authentication and authorization states for the peer.

What are the two types of resumes for EAP-FAST?

There are two session resume types for EAP-FAST: Server state based and stateless (PAC based).

What is EAP SIM?

EAP Subscriber Identity Module ( SIM) is used for authentication and session key distribution for the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). EAP-SIM is defined in RFC 4186.

What does "enabled" mean in server authentication?

This item specifies that the client verifies that server certificates presented to the client computer have the correct signatures, have not expired, and were issued by a trusted root certification authority (CA). The default setting is "enabled." If you disable this check box, client computers cannot verify the identity of your servers during the authentication process. If server authentication does not occur, users are exposed to severe security risks, including the possibility that users might unknowingly connect to a rogue network.

How to specify a server name in a RADIUS certificate?

Note that you must type the name exactly as it appears in the Subject field of each RADIUS server certificate, or use regular expressions to specify the server name. The complete syntax of the regular expression can be used to specify the server name. But to differentiate a regular expression with the literal string, you must use at least one * in the string specified. For example, you can specify nps*.example.com to specify the RADIUS server nps1.example.com or nps2.example.com. Even if no RADIUS servers are specified, the client will verify that the RADIUS server certificate was issued by a trusted root CA.

What happens if you disable server authentication?

If server authentication does not occur, users are exposed to severe security risks, including the possibility that users might unknowingly connect to a rogue network.

What does "checking automatically use my Windows logon name and password" mean?

Checking Automatically use my Windows logon name and password (and domain if any) specifies that the current user-based Windows sign in name and password are used as network authentication credentials.

What is a new certificate selection?

Use New Certificate Selection to configure the criteria that client computers use to automatically select the right certificate on the client computer for the purpose of authentication. When the configuration is provided to network client computers through the Wired Network (IEEE 802.3) Policies, the Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies, or through Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK) for VPN, clients are automatically provisioned with the specified authentication criteria.

Can you specify a trusted root CA certificate?

Do not specify a trusted root CA certificate that is not already listed in client computers’ Trusted Root Certification Authorities certificate stores for Current User and Local Computer. If you designate a certificate that is not installed on client computers, authentication will fail.

What is cache EAP Fast?

Caches EAP-FAST sessions on Policy Manager for reuse if the user/end-host reconnects to the ClearPass server within the session-timeout interval. By default, this option is enabled.

Where is the Add Authentication Method dialog?

The Add Authentication Method dialog opens to the General tab.

What is authenticated provisioning mode?

In authenticated provisioning mode, the end-host authenticates the server by validating the server certificate, which results in a protected outer tunnel.

What happens when both anonymous and authenticated provisioning modes are enabled?

If both anonymous and authenticated provisioning modes are enabled and the end-host sends a cipher suite that supports server authentication, Policy Manager picks the authenticated provisioning mode.

Is EAP-MD5 supported in FIPS?

In FIPS mode, the EAP-MD5 authentication method is not supported.

Is authentication more secure than provisioning?

Authenticated mode is more secure than anonymous provisioning mode. After the server is authenticated, the phase 0 tunnel is established. The end-host and Policy Manager perform mutual authentication and provision on the end-host with an appropriate PAC (tunnel or machine):

What is EAP TLS?

EAP-TLS authentication involves 3 parties, the supplicant (user’s device), the authenticator (switch or controller), and the authentication server ( RADIUS server ). The authentication process can first be broken down into 4 broad categories: initialization, initiation, negotiation, and authentication.

How do supplicants and authentication servers begin?

The supplicant and the authentication server begin by saying “hello” and prepare their certificates for authentication to establish a trusted connection.

What is the EAPOL key exchange?

It is a 4 step handshake between the authenticator and supplicant that generates encryption keys. These keys are used to encrypt information that will be sent over the wireless connection and ensures that all ongoing network communications are encrypted and cannot be read by outside parties.

What does a supplicant do after authentication?

The supplicant validates the identity of the authentication server certificate. After validation, the supplicant sends its client certificate.

What is the process of saying hello between the supplicant, authenticator, and authentication server?

Initiation – essentially a process of saying hello between the supplicant, authenticator, and authentication server. Negotiation – the supplicant and authentication server exchange identifying information to determine whether the user should be authenticated to the network.

What is the protocol used to send client information over the air?

One of the most common authentication methods used to send client information over-the-air via 802.1X is the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). There are multiple EAP methods, and while each one utilizes the EAP tunnel to send information through an encrypted channel, only EAP-TLS supports certificate-based authentication, the gold standard of authentication.

Why does the supplicant request the identity of the authenticator?

The supplicant requests the identity of the authenticator to ensure it is sending the client certificate to the correct place.

What is EAP Fast?

EAP-FAST. EAP-FAST, also known as Flexible Authentication via Secure Tunneling, is an EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) developed by Cisco.

What is the purpose of the Leap?

Its purpose is to replace the LEAP (lightweight extensible authentication protocol). LEAP, also developed by Cisco, was widely adopted as a wireless authentication protocol but contains known security vulnerabilities, especially when used with weak passwords.

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Introduction

Prerequisites

Background Information

Configure The WLC For Eap-Fast Authentication

Configure The Radius Server For Eap-Fast Authentication

  • Perform these steps in order to configure the RADIUS server for EAP-FAST authentication: 1. Create a User Database to Authenticate EAP-FAST Clients 2. Add the WLC as AAA Client to the RADIUS Server 3. Configure EAP-FAST Authentication on the RADIUS Server with Anonymous In-band PAC Provisioning 4. Configure EAP-FAST Authentication on the RADIUS Ser...
See more on cisco.com

Verify

Troubleshoot

Introduction

Prerequisites

Theory

  • Phases
    EAP-FAST is a flexible EAP method which allows mutual authentication of a supplicant and a server. It is similar to EAP-PEAP, but typically does not require the use of client or even server certificates. One advantage of EAP-FAST is the ability to chain multiple authentications (using m…
  • PAC
    PAC is Protected Access Credentials generated by the server and provided to client. It consists of: 1. PAC key (random secret value, used to derive TLS master and session keys) 2. PAC opaque (PAC key + user identity - all encrypted by EAP-FAST server master key) 3. PAC info (server ident…
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Examples

Troubleshoot

References

Authentication Methods

EAP-TLS, PEAP, and EAP-TTLS

  • You can access the EAP properties for 802.1X authenticated wired and wireless access in the following ways: 1. By configuring the Wired Network (IEEE 802.3) Policies and Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies extensions in Group Policy. 2. By manually configuring wired or wireless connections on client computers. You can access the EAP properties ...
See more on docs.microsoft.com

Secure Password Properties Configuration Items

Configure New Certificate Selection Configuration Items

Ttls Configuration Items

EAP-SIM Configuration Settings

EAP-AKA Configuration Settings

Eap-Aka' Configuration Settings

Additional Resources

1.What is the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)?

Url:https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/Extensible-Authentication-Protocol-EAP

9 hours ago  · Cisco created EAP-FAST to replace LEAP. EAP-FAST uses a tunnel to provide mutual authentication like PEAP and EAP-TTLS. EAP-FAST does not have the server authenticate itself with a digital certificate. Instead, it uses a Protected Access Credential, which creates a one-time provisioning exchange with a shared secret, or PAC key. The PAC key handles the …

2.EAP-FAST > EAP Authentication Protocols for WLANs

Url:https://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=369223&seqNum=5

12 hours ago  · EAP-FAST not only mitigates risks from passive dictionary attacks and man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, it also enables secure authentication based on currently deployed infrastructure. In addition, EAP-FAST minimizes the hardware requirement; many of the mechanisms require computational burden at the edge devices for asymmetric cryptography …

3.Understanding EAP-FAST and Chaining implementations …

Url:https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/eap-fast/200322-Understanding-EAP-FAST-and-Chaining-imp.html

36 hours ago EAP-FAST not only mitigates risks from passive dictionary attacks and man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, it also enables secure authentication based on currently deployed infrastructure. In addition, EAP-FAST minimizes the hardware requirement; many of the mechanisms require computational burden at the edge devices for asymmetric cryptography and certificate validation.

4.Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) for network …

Url:https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/extensible-authentication-protocol/network-access

8 hours ago Authentication – the process is completed, opening a port for the confirmed user to connect to the 802.1X network and browse securely. EAP-TLS authentication is typically faster than credential-based authentication, and it occurs automatically without involvement from the user. When the device is in range of the secure network, it will initiate and complete the connection …

5.EAP-FAST Authentication Method - Aruba

Url:https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/ClearPass/6.6/PolicyManager/Content/CPPM_UserGuide/Auth/AuthMethod_eap-fast.htm

36 hours ago  · EAP-FAST, also known as Flexible Authentication via Secure Tunneling, is an EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) developed by Cisco.It is used in wireless networks and point-to-point connections to perform session authentication.Its purpose is to replace the LEAP (lightweight extensible authentication protocol). LEAP, also developed by Cisco, was widely …

6.802.1X EAP-TLS Authentication Flow Explained - SecureW2

Url:https://www.securew2.com/blog/802-1x-eap-tls-authentication-flow-explained

7 hours ago How does EAP-FAST provide authentication? Click “Settings” then select “Wireless & Networks” and “WiFi settings”. If WiFi is not enabled, please enable it. Select “eduroam”. You may now be asked for a password to protect the credential storage on …

7.What is EAP-FAST? - Computer Hope

Url:https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/e/eapfast.htm

24 hours ago

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