Artifact Management

X-Forwarded-User / REMOTE_USER

Zero-Day Shield

SSO + Zero-Day Protection for Nexus Repository

by Sonatype

Add SAML/OIDC SSO to Nexus Repository via Authenticated Proxy — Secure Your Software Supply Chain

Overview

Why Nexus Repository Needs an Authenticated Proxy

Sonatype Nexus Repository is a widely deployed artifact repository manager, hosting Maven, npm, Docker, PyPI, NuGet, and other package formats. Nexus is a critical supply chain component — every library, dependency, and build artifact flows through the repository. A compromised Nexus instance allows attackers to inject malicious packages, modify existing artifacts, or proxy compromised upstream dependencies. The impact can cascade across every application that consumes packages from your Nexus instance. OnePAM adds enterprise SSO and zero-day protection by placing an authenticated reverse proxy in front of Nexus. Users authenticate via your corporate IdP, and OnePAM ensures every request — web UI, REST API, and package manager operations — is identity-verified.

HTTP Header Authentication

X-Forwarded-User / REMOTE_USER

Nexus Repository supports external authentication via the Rut Auth plugin (a.k.a. Remote User Token auth). When configured, Nexus trusts the REMOTE_USER header from OnePAM and creates the session based on the authenticated identity.

Zero-Day Risk Profile

Nexus Repository Vulnerability Risks

Without an authenticated proxy, these risks are directly exploitable by any network-reachable attacker.

Nexus has had critical RCE vulnerabilities enabling complete server compromise

Artifact repositories are a prime target for software supply chain attacks

Malicious artifact injection affects every project that depends on the repository

Nexus stored credentials for upstream proxies can be extracted

The Challenge

Security Challenges with Nexus Repository

These are the risks organizations face when Nexus Repository is not behind an authenticated proxy.

Supply Chain Attack Vector

Nexus hosts every artifact your organization consumes and produces. A single malicious package injection can compromise your entire software portfolio.

Critical RCE History

Nexus has had remote code execution vulnerabilities that allowed complete server takeover. Exposed instances are actively targeted.

Credential Sprawl

Developers maintain separate Nexus credentials for web UI and package manager access, creating credential fatigue and security gaps.

Proxy Credential Storage

Nexus stores credentials for upstream repositories (Maven Central, npmjs, Docker Hub). Compromise exposes these proxy credentials.

Limited OSS SSO

Nexus Repository OSS has limited authentication options. SAML and OIDC require Nexus Repository Pro licensing.

Package Manager Auth Complexity

Configuring SSO-compatible authentication for Maven, npm, Docker, and other package managers simultaneously is complex.

The OnePAM Solution

How OnePAM Adds SSO + Zero-Day Protection to Nexus Repository

A step-by-step guide to deploying OnePAM's authenticated proxy in front of Nexus Repository.

Deploy OnePAM as Nexus Gateway

Place OnePAM in front of Nexus Repository, intercepting all web and API traffic.

Nexus is configured to accept connections only from OnePAM. All web UI, REST API, and package repository access flows through OnePAM's authentication layer.

Configure IdP Federation

Connect OnePAM to your SAML 2.0 or OIDC identity provider.

OnePAM manages the authentication lifecycle: IdP redirect, MFA enforcement, assertion validation, and session management.

Enable Rut Auth Plugin

Install Nexus's Rut Auth plugin and configure it to trust the REMOTE_USER header from OnePAM.

The Rut Auth plugin reads the pre-authenticated username from OnePAM's REMOTE_USER header and creates the Nexus session. One-time setup, zero ongoing maintenance.

Map Roles from IdP Groups

OnePAM passes IdP group memberships for automatic Nexus role and privilege assignment.

DevOps gets deploy privileges, developers get read access, and security teams get vulnerability report access — all managed from your IdP.

Audit Supply Chain Access

Every artifact operation is logged with corporate identity context for supply chain compliance.

OnePAM's audit trail records every artifact upload, download, and deletion with full IdP context. Session recording captures administrative actions.

Business Impact

Benefits of Securing Nexus Repository with OnePAM

Measurable security and operational outcomes from deploying OnePAM in front of Nexus Repository.

Protect Software Supply Chain

Only authenticated users can upload, download, or manage artifacts. Unauthorized supply chain manipulation is blocked.

Supply chain integrity protected

Shield from Nexus CVEs

RCE vulnerabilities in Nexus are unexploitable when OnePAM enforces authentication on every request.

CVEs blocked at proxy layer

SSO for Nexus OSS

OnePAM provides enterprise SSO for Nexus Repository OSS — no Pro licensing required for SAML/OIDC.

Enterprise SSO at no extra cost

Unified Developer Identity

One corporate credential for web UI, Maven, npm, Docker, and all other package manager access.

Single identity for all repos

Complete Artifact Audit Trail

Every artifact upload, download, and deletion is logged with corporate identity and compliance context.

Full supply chain visibility

Instant Access Revocation

Disable a user in your IdP and artifact repository access stops immediately across all formats.

Real-time deprovisioning

SSO Features

Nexus Repository SSO Capabilities

Every feature needed to provide enterprise-grade SSO and access control for Nexus Repository.

SAML 2.0 & OIDC SSO via Rut Auth plugin

Maven, npm, Docker, PyPI, NuGet SSO support

IdP group to Nexus role/privilege mapping

Repository-level access policies

Artifact upload/download auditing

Session recording for administrative actions

IP and geo-restriction for repository access

Device trust verification

Concurrent session controls

Multi-format repository SSO support

Security

Zero-Day Protection Features

Enterprise-grade security controls that shield Nexus Repository from exploitation.

Nexus isolated from direct network access

End-to-end TLS encryption for all traffic

Request-level authentication on every API call

Protection against Nexus RCE vulnerabilities

Upstream proxy credential isolation

Automatic session termination on IdP sign-out

Real-World Scenarios

Nexus Repository SSO + Security Use Cases

Common scenarios where organizations deploy OnePAM in front of Nexus Repository.

DevOps teams deploying artifacts with corporate SSO and MFA enforcement

Developers pulling dependencies with authenticated, audited access

Security teams reviewing artifact vulnerability reports with session recording

CI/CD pipelines authenticating artifact uploads with service identities

Compliance-driven artifact management auditing for software supply chain security

Protecting Nexus from internet-facing exploitation while enabling developer productivity

Frequently Asked Questions

Nexus Repository SSO + Security FAQ

Common questions about deploying OnePAM's authenticated proxy for Nexus Repository.

Does OnePAM work with Nexus Repository OSS?

Yes. The Rut Auth plugin is available for both Nexus Repository OSS and Pro editions. OnePAM provides enterprise SSO without requiring Nexus Pro licensing.

How do Maven/npm/Docker CLI tools authenticate through OnePAM?

OnePAM supports path-based authentication policies. Interactive web sessions use SSO, while CLI tools (mvn, npm, docker) can authenticate via bearer tokens or basic auth that OnePAM validates and maps to corporate identities.

Can we restrict who can upload vs. download artifacts?

Yes. OnePAM passes IdP group memberships that map to Nexus roles. Combined with Nexus privileges, you can enforce read-only access for developers and deploy privileges for CI/CD pipelines.

Does OnePAM protect all repository formats?

Yes. OnePAM protects all Nexus-hosted repositories regardless of format — Maven, npm, Docker, PyPI, NuGet, raw, and any other format Nexus supports.

What about Nexus IQ / Lifecycle integration?

OnePAM protects the Nexus Repository web interface and APIs. Nexus IQ (now Sonatype Lifecycle) communication with Nexus Repository uses internal APIs that are unaffected by OnePAM's user authentication.

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