How to do JOSE in Apache CXF service code

This blog entry continues the series started with the introduction to Apache CXF JOSE implementation followed recently with the post talking about the signing of HTTP attachments.

So CXF helps with shipping JOSE filters which can protect the application data by wrapping them into JOSE JWS or JWE envelopes or verify that the data has been properly encrypted and/or signed. In these cases the application code is not even aware that the JOSE processors are involved.

How would one approach the task of signing/verifying and/or encrypting/decrypting the data directly in the application code ? For example, what if an individual property of the bigger payload needs to be JOSE protected ?

The most obvious approach is to use either CXF JOSE or the preferred 3rd party library to deal with the JOSE primitives in the application code. This is Option 1. It is a must option if one needs to have a closer control over the JOSE envelope creation process.

Or you can basically do nearly nothing at all and let CXF handle it for you, this is Option 2. This is a CXF Way Option - make it as easy as possible for the users to embrace the advanced technologies fast. It is not though only about making it easy - but is also about having a more flexible and even portable JOSE-aware code.

In this case such requirements as "sign only" or "encrypt only" or "sign and encrypt" and similarly for the "verify/decrypt" are not encoded in the code - it is managed at the time of configuring the JOSE helpers from the application contexts (by default they only sign/verify).

Likewise, the signature and encryption algorithm and key properties are controlled externally.

I know, it is hard to believe that it can be so easy. Try it to believe it. Enjoy !