Source URL: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/03/towards-a-test-suite-for-totp-codes/
Source: Hacker News
Title: Towards a test-suite for TOTP codes
Feedly Summary: Comments
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text critiques the TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) specification, highlighting discrepancies between major implementations and emphasizing the need for consistency in security standards. The author has created a test suite to help identify whether various applications correctly implement the TOTP standard, demonstrating practical implications for security compliance in multi-factor authentication (MFA) systems.
Detailed Description: The provided text focuses on the inadequacies of the TOTP specification and the variations among its implementations by leading companies, notably Google, Apple, and Yubico. The key points include:
– **Critique of TOTP Specification**: The author expresses frustration with inconsistencies in TOTP implementations and the vagueness of the official RFC (Request for Comments) document. This highlights a critical issue in security standards, where multiple interpretations can lead to vulnerabilities.
– **Impact of Inconsistencies**: The differences in how TOTP is implemented can lead to security risks. With various apps handling TOTP differently, users may be exposed to security flaws. This is particularly relevant for organizations that rely on consistent MFA strategies across their infrastructure.
– **Test Suite Creation**: The author has developed a nascent test suite designed to evaluate whether TOTP implementations adhere to the standard. This initiative helps enhance the security posture of applications by promoting adherence to established guidelines.
– **Technical Details**:
– **Working of TOTP**: TOTP is built upon the HOTP (HMAC-Based One-Time Password) concept, using time as a counter to generate unique passwords regularly.
– **Implementation Guidance**: The author discusses various aspects, such as the number of digits in a TOTP token, acceptable algorithms (e.g., SHA-1, SHA-256), and the minimum/maximum time periods for code validity, emphasizing how these parameters can influence security.
– **Common Questions**: Several practical considerations are presented, such as handling of the shared secret, encoding standards, issuer parameters, and protocol standards like RFC 3986 for URL encoding.
– **Call to Action**: The text encourages both users and developers to contribute to testing and feedback, promoting a community-driven approach to improving TOTP security compliance. It also invites collaboration from industry leaders to create a definitive RFC to standardize TOTP implementation correctly.
This critique is especially significant for security and compliance professionals, as it addresses key challenges faced in implementing multi-factor authentication systems effectively. The call for engagement from major tech companies highlights the importance of aligning industry standards to mitigate security risks in authentication processes.