HOW DO I Set Up Application-Level Security in Oracle APEX Using Shared Components

Introduction

Securing an Oracle APEX application is essential to protect sensitive data and ensure that only authorized users can access specific functionalities or pages. Oracle APEX provides a robust set of tools within Shared Components to streamline the implementation of application-level security, including authentication schemes, authorization schemes, and session state protection. This blog post will walk you through the process of setting up application-level security using Shared Components in Oracle APEX, detail best practices, and provide a link to the official Oracle APEX documentation for further reference.

Steps to Set Up Application-Level Security Using Shared Components in Oracle APEX

1. Configure Authentication Schemes
   Authentication ensures that only valid users can log in to your application. Oracle APEX’s Shared Components allow you to define and manage authentication schemes efficiently.

   • Navigate to Shared Components > Authentication Schemes in your APEX application.
   • Create or select an authentication scheme, such as "Oracle APEX Accounts" for local user management, "LDAP" for enterprise directory integration, or "Custom Authentication" for tailored logic.
   • For custom authentication, write a PL/SQL function to validate credentials against a database table. For example:

     FUNCTION authenticate_user (p_username IN VARCHAR2, p_password IN VARCHAR2) RETURN BOOLEAN IS
       l_count NUMBER;
     BEGIN
       SELECT COUNT(*) INTO l_count
       FROM users
       WHERE username = p_username
       AND password = p_password;
       RETURN l_count = 1;
     END;
     

   • Set the scheme as the "Current" authentication scheme to apply it to the application.

2. Set Up Authorization Schemes
   Authorization schemes in Shared Components control what authenticated users can access within the application, such as specific pages or components.

   • Go to Shared Components > Authorization Schemes.
   • Create a new scheme, such as "Admin Access," using a SQL query or PL/SQL function to check user roles. For example:

     SELECT 1
     FROM user_roles
     WHERE username = :APP_USER
     AND role_name = 'ADMIN';
     

   • Apply the authorization scheme to pages, regions, buttons, or other components to restrict access based on user roles.

3. Enable Session State Protection
   Session State Protection prevents URL tampering and unauthorized access to session data.

   • In Shared Components > Security > Session State Protection, enable protection for the application.
   • Configure page-level or item-level settings to include checksums for URLs and form submissions. For example, set pages to "Arguments Must Have Checksum" to validate URL parameters.
   • Regularly review session state settings to ensure sensitive data, such as user inputs, is protected.

4. Utilize Application Access Control
   Oracle APEX’s Application Access Control feature simplifies role-based access management.

   • Navigate to Shared Components > Application Access Control.
   • Define roles (e.g., Administrator, Editor, Viewer) and associate them with users via a database table or custom logic.
   • Create authorization schemes linked to these roles and apply them to control access to specific application components. For example, restrict a "Reports" page to users with the "Viewer" role.

5. Secure Application Attributes
   Shared Components include security settings that apply globally to the application.

   • Go to Shared Components > Security Attributes.
   • Enable Require HTTPS to ensure all connections use a secure protocol.
   • Set a Session Timeout to log out inactive users after a specified period (e.g., 1800 seconds).
   • Configure Secure Cookies to ensure session cookies are only transmitted over HTTPS.

6. Protect Against Common Vulnerabilities
   Shared Components provide tools to mitigate risks like SQL injection and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).

   • Use bind variables in SQL queries to prevent SQL injection. For example:

     SELECT username
     FROM employees
     WHERE emp_id = :P1_EMP_ID;
     

   • Enable Escape Special Characters for dynamic content in regions or items to prevent XSS attacks.
   • Validate user inputs using APEX validations or PL/SQL logic to ensure data integrity.

7. Enable Logging and Monitoring
   Monitoring user activity is crucial for identifying potential security issues.

   • In Shared Components > Security Attributes, enable Application Activity Logging to track page views and user actions.
   • Query the APEX_ACTIVITY_LOG view to audit user behavior and detect anomalies.
   • Implement custom logging for critical actions, such as login attempts or data modifications, using PL/SQL processes.

Application-level security in Oracle APEX ensures that only authorized users can access an application and its components. By configuring security settings in the Shared Components section, developers can enforce authentication, authorization, and session protection.

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to setting up application-level security in Oracle APEX using Shared Components.

Accessing Security Settings in Shared Components

1. Open Oracle APEX and navigate to your application.

2. In the Application Builder, click on Shared Components.

3. Locate the Security section, where key security features are available: 

• Authentication Schemes (Controls user login methods)

• Authorization Schemes (Defines user permissions)

• Session State Protection (Secures sensitive data in session variables)

• Application Access Control (Manages application-level roles and user privileges)

Each of these components plays a role in securing the application and managing access.

Configuring Authentication Schemes

Authentication schemes determine how users log into an application. APEX provides several built-in authentication methods:

• APEX Accounts – Uses Oracle APEX's internal user management system.

• Database Accounts – Requires users to log in with Oracle database credentials.

• LDAP Directory – Authenticates users using an external LDAP server.

• Social Sign-In (OAuth2, SAML, OpenID) – Enables login via Google, Facebook, or enterprise SSO.

• Custom PL/SQL Function – Uses a PL/SQL function to verify user credentials.

Setting Up an Authentication Scheme

1. Go to Shared Components > Security > Authentication Schemes.

2. Click Create and select the desired authentication method.

3. Configure the required settings based on the authentication method.

4. Set it as the Current Authentication Scheme to make it active.

For example, if using APEX Accounts, users must be created and assigned privileges within APEX's internal user management.

Defining Authorization Schemes

Authorization schemes control what users can do within an application. These schemes determine access to pages, regions, buttons, and processes.

Creating an Authorization Scheme

1. Go to Shared Components > Security > Authorization Schemes.

2. Click Create and select a scheme type: 

• By User Role (e.g., Admin, Manager, Employee)

• PL/SQL Function Returning Boolean (Custom logic for access control)

• SQL Query Returning Rows (Checks user roles from a database table)

3. Define the logic that determines if a user has access.

4. Apply the authorization scheme to pages, buttons, or processes.

For example, if only administrators should access a certain page, an authorization scheme can be created to check if the current user belongs to the "ADMIN" role.

Implementing Session State Protection

Session state protection prevents unauthorized changes to items in an APEX session. This helps secure application data and restricts URL tampering.

Enabling Session State Protection

1. Go to Shared Components > Security > Session State Protection.

2. Click Enable Session State Protection.

3. Configure protection levels for application items, page items, and hidden values.

Session protection ensures that sensitive data is not altered by manipulating the URL parameters.

Managing Application Access Control

Application Access Control allows developers to define user roles and permissions for different application components.

Setting Up Access Control

1. Go to Shared Components > Security > Application Access Control.

2. Define user roles such as Admin, User, or Read-Only.

3. Assign privileges to each role.

4. Apply the access control to pages, reports, or actions within the application.

For example, an "Admin" role may have full access, while a "Read-Only" role can only view reports.

Conclusion

Setting up security at the application level using Shared Components in APEX ensures that user access is managed effectively. By implementing authentication, authorization, session protection, and access control, developers can create secure and well-protected applications.

EXAMPLE:

Application > Shared Components

Best Practices for Application-Level Security in Oracle APEX Using Shared Components

• Follow the Principle of Least Privilege: Assign users the minimum permissions required for their tasks using authorization schemes.
• Use Built-in Features: Leverage Shared Components’ native tools, such as Session State Protection and Application Access Control, to avoid custom code where possible.
• Regularly Review Configurations: Periodically audit authentication and authorization schemes to ensure they align with current security requirements.
• Enforce Strong Passwords: For Oracle APEX Accounts or custom authentication, implement policies requiring complex passwords and periodic changes.
• Test Security Settings: Use a development environment to test security configurations before deploying to production.
• Keep APEX Updated: Apply the latest patches to your Oracle APEX instance and database to address known vulnerabilities.
• Document Security Policies: Maintain clear documentation of your authentication, authorization, and session management configurations for future reference.

Oracle APEX Documentation
For comprehensive details on securing your Oracle APEX application using Shared Components, consult the official Oracle APEX documentation:
Oracle APEX Security Documentation

Conclusion
Setting up application-level security in Oracle APEX using Shared Components provides a streamlined and effective approach to safeguarding your application. By configuring authentication and authorization schemes, enabling session state protection, and leveraging built-in security features, you can ensure that your application remains secure and accessible only to authorized users. Adhering to best practices and staying informed through Oracle’s official documentation will help you maintain a robust security posture and protect your application from evolving threats.