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Kerberos Authentication Process Players

Discuss in detail the role played by each one of the five players in a Kerberos authentication process.
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Asked by Nancy on June 25, 2025

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The Kerberos authentication process involves five key players, working together to securely authenticate a client to a server. These roles are described in sources such as The Moron’s Guide to Kerberos and General Information on Kerberos, and generally in Guide to Computer Network Security by Joseph Migga Kizza.

  • Client (User): This is the user or application that wants to access a service on a server. The client initiates the authentication process by sending a request to the Authentication Server (AS). It encrypts parts of its requests and decrypts responses using its shared secret key with the KDC.
  • Authentication Server (AS): The AS is part of the Key Distribution Center (KDC). Its primary role is to verify the client's identity. When a client requests authentication, the AS checks the client's provided credentials (e.g., username) against its database. If valid, the AS issues a Ticket Granting Ticket (TGT) to the client, encrypted with the client's secret key.
  • Ticket Granting Server (TGS): Also part of the KDC, the TGS issues service tickets. Once a client has a valid TGT from the AS, it presents this TGT to the TGS along with a request for a service ticket for a specific application server. The TGS validates the TGT and, if legitimate, issues a service ticket and session key to the client for communication with the desired application server.
  • Key Distribution Center (KDC): The KDC is the central server that performs the functions of both the Authentication Server (AS) and the Ticket Granting Server (TGS). It acts as a trusted third party, responsible for authenticating users and services, and distributing session keys securely. It maintains a database of all user and service principals and their secret keys.
  • Application Server (Service Server): This is the server that hosts the service the client wishes to access. When the client presents a valid service ticket obtained from the TGS, the Application Server uses its shared secret key with the KDC to decrypt the service ticket and verify the client's authenticity. Upon successful verification, the Application Server grants the client access to the requested service.
Vesper - June 25, 2025
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