Oracle Analytics Security Everything you always wanted to know

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Oracle Analytics Security
Everything you always wanted to know
Episode 2 – May 4th-6th 2020 – The ACEs Strike Back

SECURITY

• Oracle ACE Director Business Analytics
• Oracle Analytics since 2001
• Speaker at OpenWorld, KScope,
User Groups and open-source conferences
• Blogger on Analytics, DWH, Data Science
http://dimensionality.ch
• Telegram/IRC #obihackers moderator
• ODC and OCCC community advocate
• Trainer for Oracle University since 2006
Christian Berg

• Wife; Mother of 3 (ages 18, 15, and 11);
• ODTUG Analytics Community Leader / ODTUG Board Director
• Oracle ACE
• Managing Director of Analytics at US-Analytics
• 15+ years in IT
• Email: bwagner@us-analytics.com
• Twitter: @Bec_Wagner
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-wagner/
• IRC Channel (Telegram): #obihackers
• http://bec-wagner.com
Becky Wagner

Becky Wagner

3 Membership Tiers
• Oracle ACE Director
• Oracle ACE
• Oracle ACE Associate
bit.ly/OracleACEProgram
500+ Technical Experts
Helping Peers Globally
Connect:
Nominate yourself or someone you know: acenomination.oracle.com
@oracleace
Facebook.com/oracleaces
oracle-ace_ww@oracle.com

Outline
• Global Context
• Covered Products and Areas
• Security Concepts
• IDCS added to the mix
• Nit-picking: Technical deep-dive SSO with OAC

Outline
• Global Context

Global Context
https://www.google.com/search?q=vast+and+complex

Global Context
Less options
On / Off
Very high level
(Too) Many
options
Highly
configurable
Every single
object/entity
Competitors vs Oracle – What do you choose?
Departmental
/ user focus
Corporate, 3rd Party,
Department, User

Historical growth

NQuire era 1997 - 2001
• Core BI Server
• Core BI Presentation Server
• Administration Tool with the RPD
• Catalog Manager with the presentation catalog
• Scheduler and Agents
• Core APIs runcat, admintool.exe, NQS calls
• Core list of supported sources

Siebel era 2001 - 2006
• Catalog Groups
• Marketing integration
• Action Framework
• Source extensions

Oracle era 2006 - today
• BI Publisher integration
• Web Services
• MBeans
• Weblogic integration
• Essbase + other Hyperion products
• Scorecarding and Strategy Management
• Source extensions
• Dat Visualization (ex Visual Analyzer)
• Data Flows
• Data Engineering
• External Data Sets (XSA)
• ...

Outline
• Global Context

Covered Products
* 12.2.1.4 * OAC 5.5 * OAS 5.5

Covered Areas
• Basic OA* Security Concepts
• Corporate Security to App Security
• “Back-end” and “front-end” parts
• Details galore

How deep can we actually go with this

Outline
• Global Context

Security Concepts Simplified
Authentication
Component Access
Object-level Access
Functional Access
Metadata-level
Access
Data-level
Access

Security Principals Simplified
Users
Groups
Application
Roles

Catalog groups (for completeness)
• The “other application role”
– OBIEE 10g
– Siebel Analytics 7.x and 6.x
• Existed for backwards
compatibility.
• Dead and buried!
• Please upgrade ASAP

Authentication

Authentication
TO THE APPLICATION WORLD
WLS
LDAP
any
LDAP
DB tables
=
=
Application
Corporate
Weblogic “principals”

“Back-end” vs “front-end”
Turning structure into access and action
Productizing security
+
Structural, base-line

Component Access
“Which parts of the platform am I allowed to use?”
• Several places
– Enterprise Manager: Application Policies
– Application Administration
– Historical reasons
• IDCS too, for cloud
• Never think “one place rules all”

Application roles

Application Policies

Application Policy Control
• Only WLS principals can be tied to policies
• RPD Management
• Essbase (since 11.1.1.7 and dropped after 12c)
• BI Publisher
• Data Visualization (initially Visual Analyzer)
• Data Flows
• Don’t forget these!
• IDCS does things a little bit differently again

Functional Access
+

Functional Access

Functional and Data Access - Hybrid
“Based on which data am I allowed to BUILD things?”

Functional Access Summary
• What the user is allowed to access as functionality inside of OBIEE
• Exception: data security related to each subject area permission
– Double security with the RPD presentation layer
– Defines for which subject areas a principal can create new content
(analyses, filters, KPIs, prompts etc.)
• Only 2 values:
– Deny: no access at all to the feature
– Grant: allow user to access the feature
• Pay attention to not wrongly use the system role “authenticated-
user”!

Functional Access Summary
• “Deny” is stronger than “Grant”
– If multiple conflicting rights are defined (users
associated with multiple application roles with
different privileges) you DO NOT have access
(keep this one in mind of later…)
• By default (if not defined) it’s a “Deny”

Object-level Access
“Which analytical objects am I allowed to CRUD?”
• Web catalog permissions
• Secure structure and content
– Folders
– Contained objects
• File system permissions
• Note: OAS and OAC store the
catalog in the DB!

Object-level Access
• Very detailed permissions
– Read (Open)
– Traverse
– Write
– Delete
– Change Permissions
– Set Ownership
– Run Publisher Report
– Schedule Publisher Report
– View Publisher Output

Object-level Access
Predefined groups of permissions

Object-level Access
• “No access” always wins
– Overwrites any explicit access granted otherwise
– Even “Full Control” for BI Administrator loses
– Yes, you can lock yourself out of parts of the catalog!
• In all other cases, more permissive wins
– “Write” plus “Read/Open” = “Write”

DV Object-level Access – Projects

DV Object-level Access – Data Sets
• OAC Data Sets are another hybrid
• Line between object and data gets blurred
• Often the price to pay with self-service
• Expect more of this blurring!

Metadata-level Access
• Controlled in Presentation Layer
• Only 4 values
– Read
– Read/Write (require setup in BMM)
– No access
– Default (see next slide)
• “Read” stronger than “No access”
– Conflicts resolve to more permissive
• Warning: Opposite of front-end behaviour
• Where RPD may let you through, front-end cuts you off

• “Default” for Subject Areas:
– Same permission as “Authenticated User”
• All other objects
– Inherit from parent object

Data-level Access
What people think of…

Data-level Access
What it really is…
• Dynamic
• Fully baked in
• Security-based
• Rules, rules, rules rules
• Pretty much all in the RPD

Data-level Access
RPD data filters for application roles and users
Not even the filter criteria is static!

Data-level Access – RPD data filters
Objects are focus. Everything else follows.

• Data filters
– Can filter on any presentation layer or business
model layer object
– Can hence force inclusion of filtered dimensions in
any object build on a given subject area even if
that object does not reference the dimension at
all

• Query limits
– Temporal restrictions
– Limitations on returned rows
– Maximum execution times
– Direct Database Request permissions
– Detailed permissions managed here win over
system-wide permissions and default settings

Data-level Access
Logical Table Source filters
Dynamic Criteria
But inescapably
added to ALL queries

Data-level Access
Physical options
• VPD
• Essbase filters
• Named user credentials
• Connection Scripts
We can *use* these
Outside of our control

Data-level Access – Connection Scripts
• Yes you can code things
• We declare, we don’t code
• Very hidden
• Impact invisible in the most
query logs
• You need your DBA
• Least good choice

Data-level Access – DV

Data-level Access – DV
• Much more limited
• Possibilities depend on type
• Should grow
• Unsure if it reaches core “BI”

Data-level Access – Data Sets

Data-level Access – Data Sets
• Everything file-based = pure object access
• No additional safety net

Data-level Access – Data Connections
• “It depends”
• List keeps growing
• Check details each release and each type

Outline
• Global Context

IDCS Security - Walkthrough

IDCS Groups

OAC Users and Roles

The ugly bits

Outline
• Global Context

Outline - Deep-Dive SSO with OAC
• Customer Case
• AD Bridge
• SAML 2.0 ADFS
• Direct SSO vs Link
• Trouble Spots

Outline
• Customer Case
• AD Bridge
• SAML 2.0 ADFS
• Trouble Spots

Customer Case - Enterprise worthy OAC
• Global Financial Services Firm
• Security is highest priority
• Waited to start project until AD integration
• VPNaaS to Palo Alto NextGen Firewalls
• Private IP Ranges
• Access from within network only
• OAC with IDCS (Identity Cloud)
• Migrating from OBIEE 11g to OAC
• AD integration required (8000+ users, 14000+ groups)
• SSO was highly desirable

Outline
• Customer Case
• AD Bridge
• SAML 2.0 ADFS
• Trouble Spots

AD Bridge
• Must install on Server joined to AD Domain
• User with rights to install software
• User with the following AD rights
– Read for all users and groups in the domain
– Read for all OUs
• If you are using an AD user specifically setup for this AD Bridge, specific permissions can
be found here:
– https://docs.oracle.com/en/cloud/paas/identity-cloud/uaids/creating-bridge.html
• Tutorial for AD Bridge
– https://www.oracle.com/webfolder/technetwork/tutorials/obe/cloud/idcs/idcs_id
bridge_obe/idbridge.html

AD Bridge - Roadmap
1. Download From IDCS
2. Install On Domain-Joined Server
3. Configure Users and Groups
4. Import in IDCS
5. Verify
*Note: OAC comes with IDCS Foundation. AD Bridge is in IDCS Basic.

AD Bridge - The More You Know
• Becomes a service. Note that this service is running and starts automatically
• Find the AD Bridge Config Utility in C:Program FilesIDBridgeIDBridgeUI.exe
• Click on View Logs – Highly important to note log locations
• Sync has a limit, will continue at the frequency until fully sync’d
• Errors will have details in the logs, like missing email or some other attribute issue

Outline
• Customer Case
• AD Bridge
• SAML 2.0 ADFS
• Trouble Spots

ADFS & SSO - SAML 101
Img from - https://developers.onelogin.com/assets/img/pages/saml/sso-diagram.svg

ADFS & SSO - Steps
1. Download ADFS Metadata File
a. https://adfs.contoso.com/FederationMetadata/2007-06/FederationMetatdata.xml
b. XML files have tags, if browser doesn’t show them, right click and view source, then save
2. IDCS Identity Provider Setup
a. Add SAML IDP
b. Name, Next, Upload FederationMetadata.xml, Requested NameID – Email Addr, Next,
Finish
c. Don’t click Export – Use the following URL to download IDCS metadata XML
d. https://MYTENANT.identity.oraclecloud.com/fed/v1/metadata?adfsmode=true
Tutorial: https://www.oracle.com/webfolder/technetwork/tutorials/obe/cloud/idcs/idcs_adfs_obe/adfs.html

ADFS & SSO - Steps cont.
1. In AD FS management console add a Relying Party Trust
a. Import Metadata.xml, Next, Name, Next Next Next Next, Finish
b. Add Claim Rules
i. Send LDAP Attributes as Claims, Name - Email, Attribute Store - Active Directory, LDAP
Attribute - Email Addresses and Outgoing Claim Type – Email Address
ii. Transform an Incoming Claim, Name – Name ID, Incoming – Email Address, Outgoing
claim – Name ID, Outgoing format – Email
2. IDCS Configuration
a. Drop down – select Activate, Drop down again – select Show on Login Page
b. IDP Policies – Click Default and then Assign new ADFS
Tutorial: https://www.oracle.com/webfolder/technetwork/tutorials/obe/cloud/idcs/idcs_adfs_obe/adfs.html

Outline
• Customer Case
• AD Bridge
• SAML 2.0 ADFS
• Trouble Spots

Direct SSO vs Link
Oracle Support Doc ID 2438952.1
OAC/OAAC: How To Disable IDCS Chooser Login Page and Get Redirected to Custom SSO Login Page Directly in Oracle Analytics Cloud(OAC)
Once everything has been confirmed working for SSO link on login page:
• IDP Policies
– Remove ADFS from ‘Default Identity Provider Policy’
• Create new IDP Policy
– Assign ADFS to Policy
– Assign OAC Application(s)
• Configure Application for Redirect URL
– Can be any URL (www.oracle.com), and doesn’t actually affect behavior

Outline
• Customer Case
• AD Bridge
• SAML 2.0 ADFS
• Trouble Spots

Trouble Spots and Lessons Learned
● Sometimes logs stop while
still showing Active in IDCS and
service shows running in
Windows
● Logs path not in
documentation, use ADBridge
Application and View Logs.
● While checking OUs, be sure
to expand and check lower
levels (Default now)
● Username - Email
● IDCS uses SAML 2.0, for Win
2016 we had to get a different
ADFS xml file
● Don’t download the Export
IDCS metadata. ADFS needs a
special format. Can get from
URL:
● https://DOMAIN.oraclecloud.
com/fed/v1/metadata?adfsmo
de=true
● Security wants users to be
authenticated by AD only
● EM, RPD Admin Tool,
Weblogic Console, still direct
login – Can’t use AD users
● Configure IDP Policy
● Sign Out redirects to OAC DV,
still signed in. Can configure
ADFS global sign-out then IDCS
sign out URL

Account Rename

RECAP
● Security Sensitive
● IDCS Private IP
● Allows for AD and SSO integration
● Local AD Domain joined Server
● Find your logs
● Find your ADFS buddy
● Sign Out – redirects to DV
● Claim Rules only worked with Email
● Remove IDCS Chooser Page
● Still need local login for EM and Weblogic
Console and RPD Admin Tool
Getting Fancy: HA AD Bridge – Docker style
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/articles/idm/gutierrez-idcs-idbridge-3960710.html

Resources
• Full deck with videos – https://www.slideshare.net/secret/qERdzGtv9SZTpj
• Blog about ADFS lab setup – http://bec-wagner.com/2018-10-26-ADFS-and-OAC-lab/
• AD Bridge Tutorial –
https://www.oracle.com/webfolder/technetwork/tutorials/obe/cloud/idcs/idcs_idbridge_ob
e/idbridge.html
• ADFS/SSO Tutorial –
https://www.oracle.com/webfolder/technetwork/tutorials/obe/cloud/idcs/idcs_adfs_obe/ad
fs.html
• Direct Access Oracle Doc – Oracle Support Doc ID 2438952.1

Thank You! What’s Next?
bwagner@us-analytics.com
@Bec_Wagner
https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-
wagner/
Telegram: #obihackers
christian.berg@dimensionality.ch
@Nephentur
Telegram: #obihackers

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