OAuth 2.0 Proof of Concept: From Authorization Code to Secure Token Exchange

This is where an OAuth 2.0 Proof of Concept cuts through the noise. No theory. No endless RFC parsing. Just a working model you can run, test, and adapt. The goal is simple: demonstrate the authorization code flow, show secure token exchange, and validate that each step works against a real authorization server.

An OAuth 2.0 Proof of Concept starts by defining the client. You register it with the identity provider (IdP), capturing the client_id and client_secret. You specify redirect URIs. These are the callback targets the IdP will use after user consent.

Next is the authorization request. The client sends the user to the IdP’s /authorize endpoint with response_type=code, the client_id, the required scopes, and the redirect URI. If scopes match the server’s policy, the user approves access, and the IdP returns an authorization code to the redirect URI.

The code exchange happens on the backend. The client calls the IdP’s /token endpoint with the authorization code, client credentials, and redirect URI. On success, the IdP returns an access token and optionally a refresh token. You store these securely. Never expose them to the browser or store them in localStorage.

The Proof of Concept must include a resource request. Use the access token in the Authorization: Bearer header to call a protected API endpoint. Validate that the server responds as expected and that token expiration is handled gracefully. Use the refresh token to obtain a new access token without user interaction.

Security checks are critical. Confirm that TLS is enforced end-to-end. Validate state parameters to prevent CSRF. Guard against token leakage in logs, URLs, and referrers. A PoC is also the right place to test edge cases: invalid tokens, revoked tokens, and mismatched redirect URIs.

Once the Proof of Concept works, you have an executable map for production. You know the network calls, the data formats, the error handling, and the security posture. This reduces integration risks and shortens the release cycle.

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