AWS Cognito Tutorial

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1. Creating and Configuring an AWS Cognito User Pool

Example 1: Create a Cognito User Pool

aws cognito-idp create-user-pool --pool-name MyUserPool

Explanation

1. Creates a new Cognito user pool for authentication.

   • aws cognito-idp create-user-pool

2. Specifies a unique name for the user pool.

   • --pool-name MyUserPool

3. Stores and manages users securely in AWS Cognito.

   • create-user-pool

4. User pool supports authentication, authorization, and identity federation.

   • create-user-pool

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Example 2: Get Details of a User Pool

aws cognito-idp describe-user-pool --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123

Explanation

1. Retrieves details about a specific user pool.

   • aws cognito-idp describe-user-pool

2. Requires the user pool ID for identification.

   • --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123

3. Provides metadata like pool name, status, and creation date.

   • describe-user-pool

4. Useful for checking configurations and debugging issues.

   • describe-user-pool

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Example 3: List All User Pools

aws cognito-idp list-user-pools --max-results 10

Explanation

1. Lists all available user pools in an AWS account.

   • aws cognito-idp list-user-pools

2. Limits results to a maximum of 10 pools per request.

   • --max-results 10

3. Useful for managing multiple authentication systems.

   • list-user-pools

4. Returns user pool names and IDs in JSON format.

   • list-user-pools

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Example 4: Delete a User Pool

aws cognito-idp delete-user-pool --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123

Explanation

1. Deletes an existing Cognito user pool permanently.

   • aws cognito-idp delete-user-pool

2. Requires a valid user pool ID.

   • --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123

3. Removes all stored users and configurations.

   • delete-user-pool

4. Cannot be undone once deleted.

   • delete-user-pool

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2. Managing Users in AWS Cognito

Example 1: Create a New User

aws cognito-idp admin-create-user --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123 --username newuser --temporary-password TempPass123!

Explanation

1. Adds a new user to the Cognito user pool.

   • aws cognito-idp admin-create-user

2. Requires a unique username for the new user.

   • --username newuser

3. Sets an initial temporary password for login.

   • --temporary-password TempPass123!

4. User must reset password upon first login.

   • admin-create-user

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Example 2: Authenticate a User

aws cognito-idp initiate-auth --auth-flow USER_PASSWORD_AUTH --client-id exampleclientid --auth-parameters USERNAME=newuser,PASSWORD=TempPass123!

Explanation

1. Initiates authentication for a user in Cognito.

   • aws cognito-idp initiate-auth

2. Uses USER_PASSWORD_AUTH authentication flow.

   • --auth-flow USER_PASSWORD_AUTH

3. Requires Cognito app client ID for authentication.

   • --client-id exampleclientid

4. Provides user credentials (USERNAME, PASSWORD) for login.

   • --auth-parameters USERNAME=newuser,PASSWORD=TempPass123!

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Example 3: List Users in a User Pool

aws cognito-idp list-users --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123

Explanation

1. Retrieves all registered users in a user pool.

   • aws cognito-idp list-users

2. Requires a user pool ID to query users.

   • --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123

3. Returns user attributes such as email, status, and creation date.

   • list-users

4. Useful for user management and audit purposes.

   • list-users

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Example 4: Delete a User

aws cognito-idp admin-delete-user --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123 --username newuser

Explanation

1. Removes a specific user from Cognito permanently.

   • aws cognito-idp admin-delete-user

2. Requires the user pool ID for identification.

   • --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123

3. Specifies the username of the user to delete.

   • --username newuser

4. Prevents the deleted user from accessing services.

   • admin-delete-user

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3. Configuring Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Example 1: Enable MFA for a User Pool

aws cognito-idp set-user-pool-mfa-config --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123 --mfa-configuration ON

Explanation

1. Enforces Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for users.

   • aws cognito-idp set-user-pool-mfa-config

2. Requires a valid user pool ID.

   • --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123

3. Sets MFA to ON for security enhancement.

   • --mfa-configuration ON

4. Users must verify identity using additional authentication factors.

   • set-user-pool-mfa-config

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Example 2: Associate a Phone Number for MFA

aws cognito-idp admin-update-user-attributes --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123 --username newuser --user-attributes Name=phone_number,Value="+1234567890"

Explanation

1. Adds a phone number for SMS-based MFA verification.

   • aws cognito-idp admin-update-user-attributes

2. Requires a valid user pool ID and username.

   • --user-pool-id us-east-1_example123 --username newuser

3. Associates a phone number with the user account.

   • --user-attributes Name=phone_number,Value="+1234567890"

4. Users receive a verification code during authentication.

   • admin-update-user-attributes

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Example 3: Generate an MFA Code for Authentication

aws cognito-idp associate-software-token --session example-session-token

Explanation

1. Generates a one-time authentication token for MFA.

   • aws cognito-idp associate-software-token

2. Requires an active session token.

   • --session example-session-token

3. Used in conjunction with TOTP-based authentication apps.

   • associate-software-token

4. Ensures enhanced security during login.

   • associate-software-token

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Example 4: Verify an MFA Token

aws cognito-idp verify-software-token --session example-session-token --user-code 123456

Explanation

1. Validates a user's one-time MFA code.

   • aws cognito-idp verify-software-token

2. Requires a session token for verification.

   • --session example-session-token

3. Takes a user-generated code from their MFA device.

   • --user-code 123456

4. Allows authentication only if the code is valid.

   • verify-software-token

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