AP-614 - Update state parameter explanation on authenticate-your-user.html.md.erb#454
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AP-614 - Update state parameter explanation on authenticate-your-user.html.md.erb#454ImogenCraigmile wants to merge 4 commits intomainfrom
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CarlyG55
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Mar 11, 2026
source/integrate-with-integration-environment/authenticate-your-user.html.md.erb
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| | `scope` | Required | A space-separated list of scopes. You must include `openid` as one scope value. If you request `openid` but also request other incorrect scopes, the error `invalid_scope` will return with an HTTP 302 instead.<br><br>You should refer to the guidance on [choosing which user attributes your service can request][integrate.choose-user-attributes] for the `scope` parameter.<br><br>If you’re using JAR, make sure the `scope` values in the query parameters and the request object are identical. | | ||
| | `client_id` | Required | The [client identifier][integrate.client-id], which we generated for you when you [registered your service to use GOV.UK One Login][integrate.register-your-service] must match your client configuration.<br><br>If you’re using JAR, make sure the `client_id` values in the query parameters and the request object are identical. | | ||
| | `state` | Required | When you receive a response at the redirect URL, there must be a way to verify the response came for a request which you sent. The `state` value solves this issue by binding the request and response, which reduces impact of [Cross Site Request Forgery](https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/csrf) attacks.<br>This value will be returned to the client in the authentication response. | | ||
| | `state` | Required | When you receive a response at the redirect URL, there must be a way to verify the response came for a request which you sent. The `state` value solves this issue by binding the request and response, which reduces impact of [Cross Site Request Forgery](https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/csrf) attacks.<br>This value will be returned to the client in the authentication response. <br> The parameter should be:<ul><li> a unique value</li><li>opaque and not open to inspection</li><li>small, to avoid hitting the Web Application Firewall (WAF) limit on the logout endpoint</li></ul><br> The WAF limit depends on the length of the whole query. The limits are:<ul><li>4096 for /authorize endpoint</li><li>2048 for /logout endpoint</li></ul>| |
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You could also possibly hit the limit on the authorize call as well FYI so probably don't want to single out logout in the description
Co-authored-by: Carly Gilson <carly.gilson@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk>
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https://govukverify.atlassian.net/browse/AP-614
Why
At the moment, the documentation around the State parameter is very vague on the topic and a specific RP encountered an issue with an error but tighter guidance should avoid this happening again.
What
Added specific WAF limits and dimensions
Technical writer support
Do you need a tech writer's support, for example to review your PR? Yes
How to review
Tell reviewers how to assess your changes.
Changelog
If this change is significant (for example, launching a new feature or deprecating a feature), you should update the changelog found at
partials/_changelog.erbunder the heading 'Documentation updates'.Confirm