AegisGitea-MCP/AUTH_SETUP.md

# Authentication Setup Guide

This guide walks you through setting up API key authentication for AegisGitea MCP to ensure only your ChatGPT workspace can access your self-hosted Gitea instance.

---

## Overview

AegisGitea MCP uses **Bearer Token authentication** to secure access:

- **API Keys**: Cryptographically secure 64-character tokens
- **Header-based**: Keys sent via `Authorization: Bearer <key>` header
- **Multi-key support**: Multiple keys for rotation grace periods
- **Rate limiting**: Failed auth attempts trigger IP-based rate limits
- **Audit logging**: All auth attempts logged for security monitoring

---

## Quick Start (5 minutes)

### 1. Generate API Key

```bash
# Using Make
make generate-key

# Or directly
python3 scripts/generate_api_key.py
```

This will:
- Generate a secure 64-character API key
- Show you the key (save it immediately!)
- Provide `.env` configuration snippet
- Optionally save metadata (not the key itself) for tracking

**Example output:**
```
✓ API Key Generated Successfully!

API KEY:
  a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2m3n4o5p6q7r8s9t0u1v2w3x4y5z6a7b8c9d0e1f2

📋 Next Steps:
1. Add this key to your .env file
2. Restart the MCP server
3. Configure ChatGPT Business
```

### 2. Add Key to .env

```bash
# Edit .env
nano .env

# Add/update this line:
MCP_API_KEYS=a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2m3n4o5p6q7r8s9t0u1v2w3x4y5z6a7b8c9d0e1f2
```

### 3. Restart MCP Server

```bash
docker-compose restart aegis-mcp

# Verify authentication is enabled
docker-compose logs aegis-mcp | grep "authentication"
```

Expected log output:
```
API key authentication ENABLED (1 key(s) configured)
```

### 4. Test Authentication

```bash
# Without key - should fail with 401
curl https://mcp.yourdomain.com/mcp/tools

# With valid key (header) - should succeed
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY_HERE" \
     https://mcp.yourdomain.com/mcp/tools

# With valid key (query param) - should succeed
curl "https://mcp.yourdomain.com/mcp/tools?api_key=YOUR_KEY_HERE"
```

---

## Configuration Options

### Environment Variables

```bash
# Enable/disable authentication
AUTH_ENABLED=true              # Set to false ONLY for testing

# API keys (comma-separated for multiple)
MCP_API_KEYS=key1              # Single key
MCP_API_KEYS=key1,key2,key3    # Multiple keys (rotation grace period)

# Rate limiting
MAX_AUTH_FAILURES=5            # Max failed attempts before blocking
AUTH_FAILURE_WINDOW=300        # Time window in seconds (5 min)
```

### Multiple Keys (Rotation Grace Period)

During key rotation, you can temporarily allow multiple keys:

```bash
# Old key
MCP_API_KEYS=old-key-here

# Add new key (both work)
MCP_API_KEYS=old-key-here,new-key-here

# After updating ChatGPT, remove old key
MCP_API_KEYS=new-key-here
```

---

## Security Features

### 1. Constant-Time Comparison

Keys are compared using `hmac.compare_digest()` to prevent timing attacks.

### 2. Rate Limiting

- **Threshold**: 5 failed attempts per IP
- **Window**: 5 minutes (configurable)
- **Action**: Reject all requests from that IP until window expires
- **Logging**: High-severity security event logged

### 3. Audit Logging

Every authentication attempt logs:

```json
{
  "timestamp": "2026-01-29T12:34:56.789Z",
  "event": "api_authentication",
  "status": "success",
  "client_ip": "203.0.113.42",
  "user_agent": "ChatGPT-User/1.0",
  "key_hint": "a1b2c3d4...e1f2"
}
```

Failed attempts:

```json
{
  "timestamp": "2026-01-29T12:34:56.789Z",
  "event": "access_denied",
  "reason": "invalid_api_key",
  "client_ip": "203.0.113.42"
}
```

### 4. Key Format Validation

- Minimum length: 32 characters
- Recommended length: 64 characters
- Format: Hexadecimal string (0-9, a-f)

---

## Troubleshooting

### Issue: "No API keys configured" error

**Symptoms:**
```
docker-compose logs: "No API keys configured in environment"
```

**Solution:**
1. Check `.env` file exists and contains `MCP_API_KEYS`
2. Ensure no typos (`MCP_API_KEYS` not `MCP_API_KEY`)
3. Verify key is at least 32 characters
4. Restart container after updating `.env`

### Issue: "Invalid API key" on valid key

**Possible causes:**

1. **Whitespace in .env**: Remove spaces around `=`
   ```bash
   # Wrong
   MCP_API_KEYS = key-here

   # Correct
   MCP_API_KEYS=key-here
   ```

2. **Key truncated**: Ensure entire 64-char key is copied
   ```bash
   # Check key length
   echo -n "your-key-here" | wc -c
   # Should output: 64
   ```

3. **Container not restarted**: Always restart after changing `.env`
   ```bash
   docker-compose restart aegis-mcp
   ```

### Issue: Rate limit blocking legitimate requests

**Symptoms:**
```
"Too many failed authentication attempts"
```

**Solution:**
1. Check audit logs for failed attempts:
   ```bash
   docker-compose exec aegis-mcp cat /var/log/aegis-mcp/audit.log | grep "invalid_api_key"
   ```

2. Wait 5 minutes for rate limit to reset

3. If accidentally blocked yourself:
   ```bash
   # Restart container (clears in-memory rate limits)
   docker-compose restart aegis-mcp
   ```

4. Adjust rate limit settings in `.env` if needed:
   ```bash
   MAX_AUTH_FAILURES=10
   AUTH_FAILURE_WINDOW=600
   ```

### Issue: ChatGPT can't connect after adding auth

See [CHATGPT_SETUP.md](CHATGPT_SETUP.md) for detailed ChatGPT configuration.

**Quick check:**
1. Verify key in ChatGPT settings matches `.env`
2. Check Authorization header format: `Bearer <key>` (with space)
3. Test manually with curl first

---

## Monitoring Authentication

### View All Auth Attempts

```bash
# All auth events
docker-compose exec aegis-mcp grep "api_authentication" /var/log/aegis-mcp/audit.log

# Failed attempts only
docker-compose exec aegis-mcp grep "access_denied" /var/log/aegis-mcp/audit.log

# Rate limit triggers
docker-compose exec aegis-mcp grep "auth_rate_limit_exceeded" /var/log/aegis-mcp/audit.log
```

### Real-Time Monitoring

```bash
# Follow auth events
docker-compose exec aegis-mcp tail -f /var/log/aegis-mcp/audit.log | grep "auth"
```

### Weekly Summary Script

```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Save as scripts/auth_summary.sh

CONTAINER="aegis-gitea-mcp"
LOG_PATH="/var/log/aegis-mcp/audit.log"

echo "=== Weekly Auth Summary ==="
echo ""
echo "Total auth attempts:"
docker exec $CONTAINER grep "api_authentication" $LOG_PATH | wc -l

echo ""
echo "Successful:"
docker exec $CONTAINER grep "api_authentication.*success" $LOG_PATH | wc -l

echo ""
echo "Failed:"
docker exec $CONTAINER grep "access_denied.*invalid_api_key" $LOG_PATH | wc -l

echo ""
echo "Rate limited IPs:"
docker exec $CONTAINER grep "auth_rate_limit_exceeded" $LOG_PATH | wc -l
```

---

## Best Practices

### 1. Key Storage

- ✅ Store in `.env` file (never commit to git)
- ✅ Use password manager for backup
- ✅ Save key metadata (not key itself) for tracking
- ❌ Never hardcode in application code
- ❌ Never share via unencrypted channels

### 2. Key Rotation

- **Schedule**: Every 90 days (automated check available)
- **Method**: Use `make rotate-key` for guided rotation
- **Grace period**: Temporarily allow both old and new keys
- **Verification**: Test new key before removing old key

See [KEY_ROTATION.md](KEY_ROTATION.md) for detailed rotation procedures.

### 3. Access Control

- **Single workspace**: One key for your ChatGPT Business account
- **Multiple users**: One key per user (track with metadata)
- **Revocation**: Remove key from `.env` and restart

### 4. Monitoring

- **Weekly**: Review auth logs for anomalies
- **Monthly**: Check key age with `make check-key-age`
- **Quarterly**: Rotate keys
- **Alerts**: Set up notifications for rate limit events

---

## Advanced Configuration

### Disable Authentication (Testing Only)

**⚠️ WARNING: Only for isolated test environments**

```bash
# .env
AUTH_ENABLED=false
```

Server will log critical warning:
```
API key authentication DISABLED - server is open to all requests!
```

### Custom Rate Limiting

```bash
# More lenient (for high-traffic)
MAX_AUTH_FAILURES=20
AUTH_FAILURE_WINDOW=600  # 10 minutes

# More strict (for high-security)
MAX_AUTH_FAILURES=3
AUTH_FAILURE_WINDOW=1800  # 30 minutes
```

### Key Hashing (Future Enhancement)

Currently keys are stored in plaintext in `.env`. Future versions will support hashed keys in database.

**Current security model:**
- ✅ Keys never logged in full (only first 8 + last 4 chars)
- ✅ `.env` file protected by filesystem permissions
- ✅ Container runs as non-root user
- ⚠️ Ensure `.env` has restrictive permissions: `chmod 600 .env`

---

## Security Checklist

Before going to production:

- [ ] API key generated with `make generate-key` (not manually typed)
- [ ] Key is exactly 64 characters
- [ ] `.env` file has restrictive permissions (`chmod 600 .env`)
- [ ] `.env` is in `.gitignore` (verify: `git status` shows no .env)
- [ ] Container restarted after adding key
- [ ] Authentication enabled (check logs for "ENABLED" message)
- [ ] Test curl command succeeds with key, fails without
- [ ] ChatGPT configured with Authorization header
- [ ] Rate limiting tested (try 6 failed attempts)
- [ ] Audit logs capturing auth events
- [ ] Key rotation reminder set (90 days)
- [ ] Backup key stored securely (password manager)

---

## FAQ

**Q: Can I use the same key for multiple ChatGPT workspaces?**

A: Yes, but not recommended. Generate separate keys for auditability:
```bash
MCP_API_KEYS=workspace1-key,workspace2-key
```

**Q: How do I revoke access immediately?**

A: Remove key from `.env` and restart:
```bash
# Edit .env (remove old key)
docker-compose restart aegis-mcp
```

Access is revoked instantly after restart.

**Q: Does rate limiting affect valid keys?**

A: No. Rate limiting only applies to IPs that fail authentication. Valid keys are never rate limited.

**Q: Can I see which key was used for each request?**

A: Yes. Audit logs include `key_hint` (first 8 + last 4 characters):
```json
{"key_hint": "a1b2c3d4...e1f2"}
```

**Q: What happens if I lose my API key?**

A: Generate a new one with `make generate-key`, update `.env`, restart server, update ChatGPT config. The old key stops working immediately after restart.

---

## Next Steps

- [ChatGPT Setup Guide](CHATGPT_SETUP.md) - Configure ChatGPT Business
- [Key Rotation Guide](KEY_ROTATION.md) - Automated rotation procedures
- [Security Policy](SECURITY.md) - Overall security best practices

---

**Need help?** Open an issue in the Gitea repository.