DID Web with Verifiable History Server Python

A Web Server component for a DID WebVH implementation

This server is built with the FastAPI framework.

The DID WebVH spec: https://identity.foundation/didwebvh

Abstract

This server is for issuing clients to deposit their did documents, did logs and other objects.

Having a seperate server to deposit verification material will ensure that signing material is isolated and provide a more secured architecture.

This also enables system architects to create rigid governance rules around publishing DID documents and related ressources through endorsment.

How it works

For a demonstration, please see the demo directory

• A controller requests an identifier from the server.
• The server returns a configuration if the requested identifier is available.
• The controller generates a first log entry matching the server policies.
• The controller sends the initial log entry to the server, along with the did witness file if required

Registering a new DID

sequenceDiagram
    participant WebVH Server
    participant Controller
    participant Witness
    Controller->>WebVH Server: Request an identifier namespace.
    WebVH Server->>Controller: Provide log input document.
    Controller->>Controller: Create and sign initial log entry.
    Controller->>Witness: Request witness signature if enabled.
    Controller->>WebVH Server: Send initial log entry and did witness file if required.
    WebVH Server->>WebVH Server: Verify and publish DID.

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AnonCreds Objects (AttestedResources)

An attested resource is a stored resource cryptographically bound to it's location on the web. See the anoncreds document for more information.

Setting up policies

The server is equiped with a configurable policy module. Rule sets can be established to change the server behavior when validating some requests.

When a rule is enforced, the server will reject any request that doesn't match said policy. Here are the configurable policies:

Known Witnesses Registry

• WEBVH_KNOWN_WITNESS_KEY: A default known witness key to provision the server.

  • ex: WEBVH_KNOWN_WITNESS_KEY="z6Mkf5rGMoatrSj1f4CyvuHBeXJELe9RPdzo2PKGNCKVtZxP"

• WEBVH_KNOWN_WITNESS_REGISTRY: A list of known witnesses is used for validating witness policies. This will be cached every time a witness can't be found.

  • ex: WEBVH_KNOWN_WITNESS_REGISTRY="https://known-witnesses.example.com"

Attested Resource Endorsement

• WEBVH_ENDORSEMENT: This will require a known witness proof on any attested resource uploaded or updated. It's up to the witness service to determine which resources to endorse from the controller.
  • ex: WEBVH_ENDORSEMENT="true"

WebVH Parameters

The following policy variables can be used to enforce parameters from the did:webvh specification:

• WEBVH_VERSION: Specify a webvh method version to enforce
  • ex: WEBVH_VERSION="1.0"
• WEBVH_WITNESS: Enforce the use of witness with a minimum threshold of 1. At least 1 witness from the known witness registry will need to be used.
  • ex: WEBVH_WITNESS="true"
• WEBVH_PORTABILITY: Ensure that portability is enabled.
  • ex: WEBVH_PORTABILITY="true"
• WEBVH_WATCHER: Request a specific watcher to be included in the watchers array
  • ex: WEBVH_WATCHER=https://watcher.example.com
• WEBVH_PREROTATION: Enforce the use of prerotation
  • ex: WEBVH_PREROTATION="true"

Exploring the resources

Have a look at the demo directory for instructions on how to browse the explorer.