How to handle expired access token in asp.net core using refresh token with OpenId Connect

Question

I have configured an ASOS OpenIdConnect Server using and an asp.net core mvc app that uses the "Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication.OpenIdConnect": "1.0.0 and "Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication.Cookies": "1.0.0". I have tested the "Authorization Code" workflow and everything works.

The client web app processes the authentication as expected and creates a cookie storing the id_token, access_token, and refresh_token.

How do I force Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication.OpenIdConnect to request a new access_token when it expires?

The asp.net core mvc app ignores the expired access_token.

I would like to have openidconnect see the expired access_token then make a call using the refresh token to get a new access_token. It should also update the cookie values. If the refresh token request fails I would expect openidconnect to "sign out" the cookie (remove it or something).

app.UseCookieAuthentication(new CookieAuthenticationOptions
        {
            AutomaticAuthenticate = true,
            AutomaticChallenge = true,
            AuthenticationScheme = "Cookies"
        });

app.UseOpenIdConnectAuthentication(new OpenIdConnectOptions
        {
            ClientId = "myClient",
            ClientSecret = "secret_secret_secret",
            PostLogoutRedirectUri = "http://localhost:27933/",
            RequireHttpsMetadata = false,
            GetClaimsFromUserInfoEndpoint = true,
            SaveTokens = true,
            ResponseType = OpenIdConnectResponseType.Code,
            AuthenticationMethod = OpenIdConnectRedirectBehavior.RedirectGet,
            Authority = http://localhost:27933,
            MetadataAddress = "http://localhost:27933/connect/config",
            Scope = { "email", "roles", "offline_access" },
        });

Answer 1

It seems there is no programming in the openidconnect authentication for asp.net core to manage the access_token on the server after received.

I found that I can intercept the cookie validation event and check if the access token has expired. If so, make a manual HTTP call to the token endpoint with the grant_type=refresh_token.

By calling context.ShouldRenew = true; this will cause the cookie to be updated and sent back to the client in the response.

I have provided the basis of what I have done and will work to update this answer once all work as been resolved.

app.UseCookieAuthentication(new CookieAuthenticationOptions
        {
            AutomaticAuthenticate = true,
            AutomaticChallenge = true,
            AuthenticationScheme = "Cookies",
            ExpireTimeSpan = new TimeSpan(0, 0, 20),
            SlidingExpiration = false,
            CookieName = "WebAuth",
            Events = new CookieAuthenticationEvents()
            {
                OnValidatePrincipal = context =>
                {
                    if (context.Properties.Items.ContainsKey(".Token.expires_at"))
                    {
                        var expire = DateTime.Parse(context.Properties.Items[".Token.expires_at"]);
                        if (expire > DateTime.Now) //TODO:change to check expires in next 5 mintues.
                        {
                            logger.Warn($"Access token has expired, user: {context.HttpContext.User.Identity.Name}");

                            //TODO: send refresh token to ASOS. Update tokens in context.Properties.Items
                            //context.Properties.Items["Token.access_token"] = newToken;
                            context.ShouldRenew = true;
                        }
                    }
                    return Task.FromResult(0);
                }
            }
        });