Security is a critical aspect of any protocol that enables tool access and execution. This section outlines key security considerations when implementing and using UTCP.

UTCP supports several authentication methods across different communication protocol types:

{
  "auth": {
    "auth_type": "api_key",
    "api_key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "var_name": "X-API-Key",
    "location": "header"
  }
}

The location field specifies where the API key is placed, and can be header, query, or cookie.

{
  "auth": {
    "auth_type": "basic",
    "username": "user",
    "password": "pass"
  }
}

{
  "auth": {
    "auth_type": "oauth2",
    "client_id": "YOUR_CLIENT_ID",
    "client_secret": "YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET",
    "token_url": "https://auth.example.com/token",
    "scope": "read:tools"
  }
}

The scope field is optional and specifies the level of access that the client is requesting.

When exposing tools through UTCP, consider implementing these access controls:

1. Tool-Level Permissions: Define which users/agents can access specific tools
2. Parameter Constraints: Restrict parameter values to prevent abuse
3. Rate Limiting: Implement per-user/per-tool rate limits
4. Usage Quotas: Set maximum usage quotas for tools
5. Audit Logging: Log all tool calls for security monitoring

• Always use HTTPS, never HTTP

:::important

CLI poses a significant security risk as it executes commands on the local system. :::

• Validate and sanitize all input parameters
• Run commands with the minimum necessary permissions
• Implement allow-lists for permitted commands
• Sandbox execution environments when possible

• Use secure WebSocket (WSS) connections

1. Data in Transit: Ensure all communications use TLS 1.2+ encryption
2. Data at Rest: Encrypt sensitive configuration data
3. Sensitive Data in Logs: Prevent logging of sensitive parameters
4. PII Handling: Implement proper controls for personal information

• Use HTTPS/WSS for all network communications
• Implement proper authentication for all communication protocols
• Validate all input against schemas before processing
• Sanitize inputs to prevent injection attacks
• Implement rate limiting to prevent abuse
• Set appropriate timeouts for all operations
• Log security-relevant events
• Regularly update dependencies
• Implement proper error handling that doesn't leak sensitive information

1. Design: Conduct threat modeling during protocol design
2. Implementation: Follow secure coding practices
3. Testing: Perform security testing and code reviews
4. Deployment: Use secure deployment practices
5. Maintenance: Monitor for security issues and update regularly

By following these security considerations, UTCP implementations can minimize risks while enabling powerful tool integrations across various communication protocols.