Entra sign-in browser getting stuck in .NET MAUI app

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Summary

The Entra sign-in browser is getting stuck in a .NET MAUI app, preventing the sign-in process from completing. This issue is similar to a previous problem with Azure AD B2C, which was resolved by changing the NuGet package. However, downgrading the MSAL NuGet package to previous versions does not resolve the issue.

Root Cause

The root cause of this issue is likely due to incompatibility between the MSAL NuGet package and the .NET MAUI app. Possible causes include:

  • Version conflicts between the MSAL package and the .NET MAUI framework
  • Incorrect configuration of the Entra ID settings
  • Browser compatibility issues with the sign-in page

Why This Happens in Real Systems

This issue can occur in real systems due to:

  • Dependence on third-party libraries like MSAL, which can have version conflicts or compatibility issues
  • Complexity of authentication flows like Entra ID, which can be prone to errors or misconfiguration
  • Rapidly changing technology landscape with frequent updates to frameworks and libraries, making it challenging to keep systems up-to-date and compatible

Real-World Impact

The impact of this issue includes:

  • Failed sign-in attempts leading to frustrated users and poor user experience
  • Increased support requests and debugging efforts to resolve the issue
  • Potential security risks if the authentication flow is not properly secured

Example or Code (if necessary and relevant)

using Microsoft.Identity.Client;

// Example of MSAL configuration
var app = PublicClientApplicationBuilder.Create(ClientId)
    .WithRedirectUri(RedirectUri)
    .WithTenantId(TenantId)
    .Build();

// Example of acquiring an access token
var result = await app.AcquireTokenSilentAsync(Scopes);

How Senior Engineers Fix It

Senior engineers can fix this issue by:

  • Verifying the MSAL package version and updating or downgrading as necessary
  • Checking the Entra ID configuration for correctness and compatibility with the .NET MAUI app
  • Testing with different browsers to identify potential browser compatibility issues
  • Debugging the authentication flow to identify and resolve any errors or misconfiguration

Why Juniors Miss It

Junior engineers may miss this issue due to:

  • Lack of experience with authentication flows and MSAL configuration
  • Insufficient knowledge of .NET MAUI and its compatibility with third-party libraries
  • Overlooking version conflicts or compatibility issues between libraries and frameworks
  • Inadequate testing of the authentication flow and sign-in process