SAML configuration reference

About SAML configuration

To use SAML single sign-on (SSO) for authentication to GitHub Enterprise Server, you must configure both your external SAML identity provider (IdP) and your GitHub Enterprise Server instance. In a SAML configuration, GitHub Enterprise Server functions as a SAML service provider (SP).

You must enter unique values from your SAML IdP when configuring SAML SSO for GitHub Enterprise Server, and you must also enter unique values from GitHub Enterprise Server on your IdP. For more information about the configuration of SAML SSO for GitHub Enterprise Server, see "Configuring SAML single sign-on for your enterprise."

SAML metadata

The SP metadata for your GitHub Enterprise Server instance is available at http(s)://HOSTNAME/saml/metadata, where HOSTNAME is the hostname for your instance. GitHub Enterprise Server uses the urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:bindings:HTTP-POST binding.

SAML attributes

The following SAML attributes are available for GitHub Enterprise Server. You can change the attribute names in the Management Console, with the exception of the administrator attribute. For more information, see "Administering your instance from the Management Console."

To specify more than one value for an attribute, use multiple <saml2:AttributeValue> elements.

<saml2:Attribute FriendlyName="public_keys" Name="urn:oid:1.2.840.113549.1.1.1" NameFormat="urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:attrname-format:uri">
    <saml2:AttributeValue>ssh-rsa LONG KEY</saml2:AttributeValue>
    <saml2:AttributeValue>ssh-rsa LONG KEY 2</saml2:AttributeValue>
</saml2:Attribute>

SAML response requirements

GitHub Enterprise Server requires that the response message from your IdP fulfill the following requirements.

• Your IdP must provide the <Destination> element on the root response document and match the ACS URL only when the root response document is signed. If your IdP signs the assertion, GitHub Enterprise Server will ignore the assertion.

• Your IdP must always provide the <Audience> element as part of the <AudienceRestriction> element. The value must match your EntityId for GitHub Enterprise Server. This value is the URL where you access your GitHub Enterprise Server instance, such as http(s)://HOSTNAME.

• Your IdP must protect each assertion in the response with a digital signature. You can accomplish this by signing each individual <Assertion> element or by signing the <Response> element.

• Your IdP must provide a <NameID> element as part of the <Subject> element. You may use any persistent name identifier format.

• Your IdP must include the Recipient attribute, which must be set to the ACS URL. The following example demonstrates the attribute.

  <samlp:Response ...>
    <saml:Assertion ...>
      <saml:Subject>
        <saml:NameID ...>...</saml:NameID>
        <saml:SubjectConfirmation ...>
          <saml:SubjectConfirmationData Recipient="https://HOSTNAME/saml/consume" .../>
        </saml:SubjectConfirmation>
      </saml:Subject>
      <saml:AttributeStatement>
        <saml:Attribute FriendlyName="USERNAME-ATTRIBUTE" ...>
          <saml:AttributeValue>monalisa</saml:AttributeValue>
        </saml:Attribute>
      </saml:AttributeStatement>
    </saml:Assertion>
  </samlp:Response>
  

Session duration and timeout

To prevent a person from authenticating with your IdP and staying authorized indefinitely, GitHub Enterprise Server periodically invalidates the session for each user account with access to your GitHub Enterprise Server instance. After invalidation, the person must authenticate with your IdP once again. By default, if your IdP does not assert a value for the SessionNotOnOrAfter attribute, GitHub Enterprise Server invalidates a session two weeks after successful authentication with your IdP.

To customize the session duration, you may be able to define the value of the SessionNotOnOrAfter attribute on your IdP. If you define a value less than 24 hours, GitHub Enterprise Server may prompt people to authenticate every time GitHub Enterprise Server initiates a redirect.