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Error handler complementing HTTP Message Signatures authenticator #2678

Description

@dadrus

Preflight checklist

Describe the background of your feature request

FR #2677 proposes adding an authenticator to support HTTP Message Signatures. When implemented, incorrect signatures — for example, missing required components, unsupported algorithms, or unknown keys — would lead to authentication failures that currently can only be handled in a generic way.

Describe your idea

To complement this, a dedicated error handler, named e.g. http_message_signature_negotiation, could be introduced to provide clients with clear feedback on how to successfully authenticate with HTTP Message Signatures.

The error handler would:

  • Inspect the cause of the failure (e.g., missing or invalid components, unsupported algorithms, unknown keys, expired/nonces).
  • Return a structured response to the client indicating:
    • Required components for a valid signature (e.g., @method, @path, @authority, content-digest).
    • Accepted signature algorithms.
    • Recognized keys or key identifiers.
    • Optional hints for timestamps, nonces, or other constraints.

Are there any workarounds or alternatives?

No

Version

0.17.0

Additional Context

No response

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