Keycloak SAML

Keycloak is an open source identity and access management solution built by JBoss. Need a Keycloak lab environment for testing? An example is available here.

Set up Keycloack with Access

  1. Create the SAML client

    In Keycloack, select “Clients” in the navigation bar and create a new client.

    SAML Client

  2. Configure the SAML client

    SAML Client

    Set the Client AD as the Access callback URL. The format will resemble the following URL; replace the <auth_domain> value with your organization’s authentication domain.


    Next, set the valid redirect URI to the Keycloak domain that you are using. For example, https://<keycloak_domain>/auth/realms/master/protocol/saml.

    Set the Master SAML Processing URL using the same Keycloak domain: https://<keycloak_domain>/auth/realms/master/protocol/saml.

    Finally, if you wish to enable client signatures, you will need to configure signing in the Cloudflare Access dashboard.

  3. Email property

    Set the built-in protocol mapper for the email property.


  4. Integrate with Cloudflare Access

    You will need to input the Keycloak details manually. The examples below should be replaced with the specific domains in use with Keycloak and Cloudflare Access.

    Single Sign-On URL: https://<keycloak_domain>/auth/realms/master/protocol/saml IdP Entity ID or Issuer URL: https://<unique_id> Signing certificate: Use the X509 Certificate in the Realm Settings from Keycloak

    Access Config

  5. Save and Test

    Click “Save” and then confirm the connection is working by clicking “Test”.

    Access Test

Optional: Custom SAML Attributes

Keycloak can be configured to pass on custom SAML attributes for consumption by Access Policy. For example, role-based access policy.

  1. Roles

    In Keycloak, add the role list inside of the “Builtin Protocol Mapper” tab.

    Role List

  2. Access setting

    In Cloudflare Access, add Role as a SAML attribute. Click “Save” and test the connection.

    Role Test

  3. Build a policy

    In Access, build a policy to use a SAML attribute. In this example, use “Role”.

    Role Policy


Keycloak: We are sorry… Invalid requester

Invalid Requester

Solution: Disable “Client Signature Required ” in Client Settings

Access Test: Response uses a certificate that is not configured. Solution: Use the X509 Certificate in the Realm Settings rather than from Client Setting.

Access Test: Successful bu email property is empty


Solution: Solution: Configure the protocol mapper in Keycoak’s SAML Client.