Deprecate authentication via a query string (#1808)

Signed-off-by: Kévin Commaille <zecakeh@tedomum.fr>
matrix-org · Apr 30, 2024 · 625999a · 625999a
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diff --git a/changelogs/client_server/newsfragments/1808.clarification b/changelogs/client_server/newsfragments/1808.clarification
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Deprecate authentication via a query string, as per [MSC4126](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/issues/4126).
diff --git a/changelogs/identity_service/newsfragments/1808.clarification b/changelogs/identity_service/newsfragments/1808.clarification
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Deprecate authentication via a query string, as per [MSC4126](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/issues/4126).
diff --git a/content/client-server-api/_index.md b/content/client-server-api/_index.md
@@ -390,8 +390,7 @@ specify parameter values. The flow for this method is as follows:
 ## Client Authentication
 
 Most API endpoints require the user to identify themselves by presenting
-previously obtained credentials in the form of an `access_token` query
-parameter or through an Authorization Header of `Bearer $access_token`.
+previously obtained credentials in the form of an access token.
 An access token is typically obtained via the [Login](#login) or
 [Registration](#account-registration-and-management) processes. Access tokens
 can expire; a new access token can be generated by using a refresh token.
@@ -405,16 +404,19 @@ investigate [macaroons](http://research.google.com/pubs/pub41892.html).
 
 ### Using access tokens
 
-Access tokens may be provided in two ways, both of which the homeserver
-MUST support:
+Access tokens may be provided via a request header, using the Authentication
+Bearer scheme: `Authorization: Bearer TheTokenHere`.
 
-1.  Via a query string parameter, `access_token=TheTokenHere`.
-2.  Via a request header, `Authorization: Bearer TheTokenHere`.
+Clients may alternatively provide the access token via a query string parameter:
+`access_token=TheTokenHere`. This method is deprecated to prevent the access
+token being leaked in access/HTTP logs and SHOULD NOT be used by clients.
 
-Clients are encouraged to use the `Authorization` header where possible
-to prevent the access token being leaked in access/HTTP logs. The query
-string should only be used in cases where the `Authorization` header is
-inaccessible for the client.
+Homeservers MUST support both methods.
+
+{{% boxes/note %}}
+{{% changed-in v="1.11" %}}
+Sending the access token as a query string parameter is now deprecated.
+{{% /boxes/note %}}
 
 When credentials are required but missing or invalid, the HTTP call will
 return with a status of 401 and the error code, `M_MISSING_TOKEN` or

diff --git a/content/identity-service-api.md b/content/identity-service-api.md
@@ -162,15 +162,20 @@ of access tokens to authenticate users. The access tokens provided by an
 Identity Server cannot be used to authenticate Client-Server API
 requests.
 
-An access token is provided to an endpoint in one of two ways:
+Access tokens may be provided via a request header, using the
+Authentication Bearer scheme: `Authorization: Bearer TheTokenHere`.
 
-1.  Via a query string parameter, `access_token=TheTokenHere`.
-2.  Via a request header, `Authorization: Bearer TheTokenHere`.
+Clients may alternatively provide the access token via a query string
+parameter: `access_token=TheTokenHere`. This method is deprecated to
+prevent the access token being leaked in access/HTTP logs and SHOULD NOT
+be used by clients.
 
-Clients are encouraged to the use the `Authorization` header where
-possible to prevent the access token being leaked in access/HTTP logs.
-The query string should only be used in cases where the `Authorization`
-header is inaccessible for the client.
+Identity Servers MUST support both methods.
+
+{{% boxes/note %}}
+{{% changed-in v="1.11" %}}
+Sending the access token as a query string parameter is now deprecated.
+{{% /boxes/note %}}
 
 When credentials are required but missing or invalid, the HTTP call will
 return with a status of 401 and the error code `M_UNAUTHORIZED`.

diff --git a/data/api/client-server/definitions/security.yaml b/data/api/client-server/definitions/security.yaml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 accessTokenQuery:
   type: apiKey
   description: |-
-    The `access_token` returned by a call to `/login` or `/register`, as a query
+    **Deprecated.** The `access_token` returned by a call to `/login` or `/register`, as a query
     parameter.
 
     It can also be the `as_token` of an application service.
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ accessTokenBearer:
 appserviceAccessTokenQuery:
   type: apiKey
   description: |-
-    The `as_token` of an application service, as a query parameter.
+    **Deprecated.** The `as_token` of an application service, as a query
+    parameter.
   name: access_token
   in: query
 appserviceAccessTokenBearer:

diff --git a/data/api/identity/definitions/security.yaml b/data/api/identity/definitions/security.yaml
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@
 accessTokenQuery:
   type: apiKey
   description: |-
-    The `access_token` returned by a call to `/register`, as a query parameter.
+    **Deprecated.** The `access_token` returned by a call to `/register`, as a
+    query parameter.
   name: access_token
   in: query
 accessTokenBearer: