Fix: Uptime Kuma Not Redirecting To Authentik

by Viktoria Ivanova 46 views

Hey everyone! Having trouble getting Uptime Kuma to play nice with Authentik? You're not alone! This guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps to get that redirect working smoothly. We'll cover common issues, configuration tweaks, and alternative solutions if needed. Let's dive in!

Understanding the Issue: Uptime Kuma and Authentik Integration

The core problem is that Uptime Kuma isn't redirecting to Authentik for authentication. You expect to be prompted to log in via Authentik when accessing your Uptime Kuma dashboard (e.g., https://status.domain.tld/dashboard), but instead, you're seeing the Uptime Kuma interface without any login requirement. This usually points to a misconfiguration in how Uptime Kuma and Authentik are integrated, specifically in the reverse proxy settings or the Authentik provider configuration.

When integrating Uptime Kuma with Authentik, the expected behavior is a seamless authentication flow. You access your Uptime Kuma dashboard, and instead of being immediately granted access, you are redirected to Authentik's login page. After successfully authenticating with Authentik, you are then redirected back to Uptime Kuma, now with the necessary credentials to access the dashboard. This setup ensures that only authorized users can view your uptime monitoring data, adding a crucial layer of security.

However, if the integration isn't set up correctly, this redirect doesn't happen. You bypass the Authentik login, and Uptime Kuma is accessible without authentication. This defeats the purpose of using Authentik for access control and exposes your monitoring data to potential unauthorized access. The issue often stems from incorrect configuration of the reverse proxy (like NPM Plus), the Authentik provider settings within your proxy, or the unauthenticated paths defined in Authentik. Getting these settings right is the key to a secure and functional integration. We'll break down each of these areas to pinpoint where the problem might lie.

Diagnosing the Problem: Key Areas to Check

Let's break down the potential culprits causing this redirect hiccup. Here are the main areas we need to investigate:

  1. Reverse Proxy Configuration (NPM Plus):

    Your reverse proxy, in this case, NPM Plus, acts as the gatekeeper between the outside world and your Uptime Kuma instance. It's responsible for directing traffic and enforcing authentication policies. A misconfigured proxy can prevent the redirect to Authentik from ever happening. This is often the first place to check, as incorrect settings here can disrupt the entire authentication flow.

    The reverse proxy's job is to inspect incoming requests and determine where to send them. When a request comes in for https://status.domain.tld/dashboard, the proxy should recognize that this URL requires authentication and forward the user to Authentik. If the proxy isn't configured to do this, it will simply pass the request directly to Uptime Kuma, bypassing the authentication step. Common issues here include incorrect hostnames, missing proxy headers, or misconfigured SSL settings. We'll need to ensure that your NPM Plus is correctly configured to recognize the Uptime Kuma URL and forward authentication requests to Authentik.

  2. Authentik Provider Settings:

    Within your reverse proxy (NPM Plus), you've configured a provider that integrates with Authentik. This provider is responsible for handling the authentication handshake between your application (Uptime Kuma) and Authentik. If the provider settings are incorrect, the authentication process will fail. The devil is often in the details here, so we need to meticulously review each setting.

    The Authentik provider acts as the translator between your application and Authentik. It tells the proxy how to communicate with Authentik, including the authentication endpoints, client IDs, and secrets. If any of these settings are wrong, the proxy won't be able to correctly authenticate users. For example, an incorrect client ID or secret will prevent the proxy from establishing a secure connection with Authentik. Similarly, misconfigured authentication endpoints will cause the redirect to fail. We'll need to double-check that all these settings match the configuration in your Authentik instance.

  3. Unauthenticated Paths:

    You've correctly identified the Unauthenticated Paths setting in Authentik as a potential area of concern. This setting defines which URLs should be excluded from authentication. If Uptime Kuma's core paths are inadvertently included here, it will bypass authentication. The regular expressions used to define these paths are crucial, and even a small error can have a big impact. Let's take a closer look at how these paths work and how to ensure they're correctly configured.

    The Unauthenticated Paths setting uses regular expressions to match URLs that should be accessible without authentication. This is necessary for certain assets and API endpoints that Uptime Kuma needs to function correctly, such as static files (CSS, JavaScript), push notifications, and heartbeat endpoints. However, if the regular expressions are too broad or contain errors, they can inadvertently exclude the main Uptime Kuma dashboard from authentication. For instance, a typo in the regular expression or an incorrect wildcard can cause the authentication to be bypassed. We'll need to carefully examine these expressions to ensure they only match the intended paths and don't accidentally include the dashboard URL.

Troubleshooting Steps: Let's Get This Working!

Okay, let's roll up our sleeves and get this sorted out. Here's a step-by-step approach to troubleshooting the issue:

  1. Review Unauthenticated Paths:

    The most common culprit is an incorrect configuration of the Unauthenticated Paths in Authentik. Let's dissect the code you've provided:

    ^/status/.*
^/assets/.*
^/api/push/.*
^/api/badge/.*
^/api/status-page/heartbeat/.*
^/icon.svg
^/upload/.*

    Each line is a regular expression. Let's break down what they do:

    • ^/status/.*: This matches any path that starts with /status/. This is a potential problem! It might be too broad and could be bypassing authentication for your entire Uptime Kuma instance.
    • ^/assets/.*: This matches any path starting with /assets/, which is likely correct for static assets.
    • ^/api/push/.*: This matches paths for push notifications, which should be unauthenticated.
    • ^/api/badge/.*: This matches paths for status badges, which are typically public.
    • ^/api/status-page/heartbeat/.*: This matches heartbeat endpoints, which need to be unauthenticated.
    • ^/icon.svg: This matches the icon file, which should be public.
    • ^/upload/.*: This matches paths related to uploads, which might or might not need authentication depending on your setup.

    The Fix:

    The key is to be more specific with the /status/ path. Instead of excluding everything under /status/, only exclude the specific paths that don't require authentication. For instance, if you have a public status page under /status/page, you'd keep that. But the main dashboard (/status/dashboard) should require authentication. Try removing or modifying the ^/status/.* line and see if that resolves the issue.

    Revised Unauthenticated Paths:

    A more precise configuration might look like this:

    ^/assets/.*
^/api/push/.*
^/api/badge/.*
^/api/status-page/heartbeat/.*
^/icon.svg
^/upload/.*
^/status/page.*

    This revised configuration assumes you have a public status page under /status/page. Adjust it based on your actual URL structure. Remember, precision is key here! You want to exclude only the paths that absolutely need to be unauthenticated.

  2. Double-Check Authentik Provider Settings in NPM Plus:

    Let's make sure your Authentik provider in NPM Plus is configured correctly. Key things to verify:

    • Client ID and Secret: Ensure these match the credentials generated in your Authentik instance for the application. A mismatch here will prevent the proxy from authenticating with Authentik.
    • Authorization and Token URLs: These URLs should point to your Authentik instance's authorization and token endpoints. Double-check the URLs for any typos or incorrect paths. Even a small error here can break the authentication flow.
    • Scopes: The scopes define what permissions the application requests from Authentik. Make sure you have the necessary scopes configured, such as openid, profile, and email. Missing scopes can lead to authentication failures or incomplete user information.
    • Redirection URI: This is the URL that Authentik will redirect the user back to after successful authentication. It needs to match the URL of your Uptime Kuma instance as seen by the proxy. An incorrect redirection URI will prevent the user from being redirected back to Uptime Kuma after login.

    Best Practice:

    It's a good idea to review your Authentik provider settings in NPM Plus regularly, especially after making changes to your Authentik instance. Keeping these settings in sync is crucial for maintaining a secure and functional integration.

  3. Examine NPM Plus Proxy Configuration:

    Now, let's dive into your NPM Plus proxy configuration. We need to ensure that the proxy is correctly forwarding requests to Uptime Kuma and handling the authentication flow. Key areas to check:

    • Hostname and SSL Configuration: Verify that the hostname (e.g., status.domain.tld) is correctly configured and that SSL is properly set up. An incorrect hostname or SSL configuration can prevent the proxy from correctly routing traffic to Uptime Kuma.
    • Proxy Headers: Ensure that the proxy headers are being correctly forwarded to Uptime Kuma. These headers are crucial for Uptime Kuma to understand the original request and the user's identity. Common headers to check include X-Forwarded-For, X-Forwarded-Proto, and X-Forwarded-Host. Missing or incorrect proxy headers can cause authentication issues and other unexpected behavior.
    • WebSockets: Uptime Kuma uses WebSockets for real-time updates. If WebSockets are not properly proxied, you might experience issues with the dashboard not updating in real-time. Ensure that your proxy configuration includes support for WebSockets.

    Debugging Tips:

    Use your browser's developer tools to inspect network requests and responses. This can help you identify if the proxy is correctly forwarding requests and if there are any errors in the authentication flow. Pay close attention to the request and response headers, as they can provide valuable clues about what's going wrong.

  4. Uptime Kuma Base URL:

    Sometimes, Uptime Kuma's base URL configuration can interfere with the redirect. Ensure that the BASE_URL environment variable in your Uptime Kuma setup is correctly set to your Uptime Kuma URL (e.g., https://status.domain.tld). An incorrect base URL can cause redirect loops or other authentication issues.

    How to Check:

    The method for checking and setting the BASE_URL depends on how you've deployed Uptime Kuma. If you're using Docker, you'll typically set it in your docker-compose.yml file or as an environment variable passed to the container. If you've installed Uptime Kuma directly on your system, you might need to modify the Uptime Kuma configuration file.

Alternative Solutions: Exploring Other Options

If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps and still can't get the redirect working, it might be worth exploring alternative solutions. Here are a couple of options:

  1. Different Monitoring Application:

    While Uptime Kuma is a great tool, it's not the only option. There are other monitoring applications that might integrate more seamlessly with Authentik or offer similar functionality. Some popular alternatives include:

    • Grafana with Prometheus: A powerful combination for monitoring and visualization. Grafana supports various authentication methods, including OAuth 2.0, which can be used with Authentik.
    • Zabbix: A comprehensive monitoring solution with built-in authentication and authorization features.
    • Checkmk: Another popular monitoring tool with a focus on ease of use and comprehensive features.

    Evaluating Alternatives:

    When considering an alternative monitoring application, think about your specific needs and requirements. Do you need real-time monitoring? Do you need detailed historical data? How important is the integration with Authentik? Evaluate each option based on these criteria to find the best fit for your setup.

  2. Direct Authentik Integration (If Available):

    Some applications offer direct integration with Authentik, meaning they don't rely on a reverse proxy for authentication. This can simplify the setup and eliminate potential issues with proxy configuration. Check if Uptime Kuma or your chosen alternative has a direct integration option.

    Benefits of Direct Integration:

    Direct integration eliminates the complexity of reverse proxy authentication. It can be easier to set up and maintain, and it can also improve security by reducing the number of components involved in the authentication flow. However, direct integration might not be available for all applications, and it might require more configuration within the application itself.

Wrapping Up: You've Got This!

Integrating Uptime Kuma with Authentik can be a bit tricky, but with a systematic approach, you can definitely get it working. Remember to double-check your Unauthenticated Paths, Authentik provider settings, and NPM Plus configuration. And if all else fails, don't be afraid to explore alternative solutions. You've got this, guys! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. We're here to help!