Use a Procedure to Configure Authentication at Runtime in Oracle

 In Oracle APEX, you can dynamically configure authentication at runtime by specifying a PL/SQL procedure on the Security Attributes page. This allows you to control authentication behavior dynamically, such as switching authentication schemes based on conditions, user roles, or application settings.

Steps to Configure Authentication at Runtime

1. Navigate to the Security Attributes Page

• Log in to Oracle APEX.

• Open App Builder and select the application you want to configure.

• Click Shared Components > Security Attributes.

2. Specify a PL/SQL Procedure for Runtime Authentication

• Locate the Authentication section.

• In the Authentication Procedure Name field, enter the name of a PL/SQL procedure that will determine the authentication behavior.

3. Create the Authentication Procedure in PL/SQL

Define a PL/SQL procedure in your database schema that dynamically configures authentication. The procedure should set the authentication scheme based on conditions like the application ID, session attributes, or other logic.

CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE set_authentication AS

  v_auth_scheme VARCHAR2(255);

BEGIN

  -- Example: Switch authentication based on the application ID

  IF :APP_ID = 100 THEN 

    v_auth_scheme := 'APEX_ACCOUNTS';  -- Use APEX authentication

  ELSE

    v_auth_scheme := 'LDAP_AUTH';  -- Use LDAP authentication

  END IF;

  -- Set the authentication scheme for the session

  APEX_UTIL.SET_AUTHENTICATION_SCHEME(v_auth_scheme);

END set_authentication;

/

This procedure selects an authentication scheme based on the application ID and sets it for the session.

4. Apply the Authentication Procedure

• Save the Security Attributes page.

• The authentication will now be dynamically determined based on the procedure at runtime.

5. Test the Configuration

• Run the application and verify that authentication behavior changes dynamically based on the defined procedure.

Use Cases for Runtime Authentication Configuration

• Switching authentication methods based on user roles or groups.

• Enforcing different authentication schemes for different applications.

• Enabling or disabling authentication dynamically based on security policies.

By using a PL/SQL procedure for authentication at runtime, Oracle APEX provides flexibility in managing authentication schemes dynamically, ensuring enhanced security and adaptability.