Setting up SAML Authentication to Workspaces from JumpCloud - Encountering Authentication Error

When encountering authentication errors while setting up SAML authentication for AWS WorkSpaces using JumpCloud, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Verify attribute mapping: Ensure that the attributes being sent from JumpCloud to Amazon WorkSpaces are correctly mapped. Double-check that the username attribute is properly mapped in both JumpCloud and Amazon WorkSpaces configurations.

2. Check attribute values: Confirm that the attribute values being sent from JumpCloud are correct. Verify that the username attribute contains the correct value for each user attempting to authenticate.

3. Review relay state configuration: Make sure the relay state is set up correctly to pass along necessary information, including the username, to Amazon WorkSpaces.

4. Examine logs and error messages: Look through the logs in both JumpCloud and Amazon WorkSpaces for any specific errors or issues with the configuration that might provide more insight into the problem.

5. Test with different users: Try authenticating with multiple user accounts to determine if the issue is specific to certain users or a more general configuration problem.

6. Verify SAML response structure: Ensure that the SAML response from JumpCloud conforms to the expected format, attributes, and bindings required by AWS WorkSpaces.

7. Check IAM role and permissions: Verify that the IAM role used for SAML authentication has the necessary permissions, including the "workspaces:Stream" action in its policy.

8. Review trust relationship policy: Confirm that the trust relationship policy for the IAM role includes the correct AWS account information and the required actions (sts:AssumeRoleWithSAML and sts:TagSession).

9. Validate SAML assertion details: Check that the NameID element in the SAML response has the "persistent" value and matches the WorkSpaces username and Active Directory's samaccountname. Also, ensure that the Role attribute format and RoleSessionName are correctly configured.

10. Time synchronization: Verify that the system clocks on both the JumpCloud (IdP) and AWS servers are properly synchronized to prevent SAML validation errors due to time discrepancies.

If you've gone through these steps and are still experiencing issues, it may be helpful to engage AWS Support or consult with a SAML authentication specialist to further diagnose the problem.
Sources
Username Prefill for WorkSpaces SAML Configuration JumpCloud | AWS re:Post
Troubleshoot SAML 2.0 authentication issues in WorkSpaces | AWS re:Post
Trying to access workspaces web | AWS re:Post

I’ve seen this error pop up when configuring SAML with AWS WorkSpaces, especially when using JumpCloud or any external IdP. That ERR_USER_AUTH_FAILURE message usually points to one of a few root causes; it’s not always super helpful on its own.

Here are a few things to double-check that often solve it:

1. SAML Assertion Mapping Make sure your SAML attributes from JumpCloud are correctly mapped to what AWS WorkSpaces expects. Specifically:

http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/ws/2005/05/identity/claims/name → should match the username in Active Directory

https://aws.amazon.com/SAML/Attributes/Role → should match the IAM role and identity provider ARN you set up

https://aws.amazon.com/SAML/Attributes/SessionDuration → optional, but recommended

If your user can’t be matched to an AD identity, you’ll get this auth failure.

2. AD User Format The user in JumpCloud needs to map exactly to a user in your AWS Managed Microsoft AD — meaning: a) Same username b) Valid and not expired password c) User is in a group that’s allowed to access the WorkSpace d) Sometimes the mismatch is as simple as user@example.com being passed when AD expects user.

3. Check the JumpCloud SAML configuration. a) In JumpCloud, go to the AWS SSO (or custom SAML app) settings. b) Make sure the IdP Entity ID, Assertion Consumer Service (ACS) URL, and SAML attributes match AWS's expectations. c) Double-check signing certificate validity and encryption settings.

4. Test with AWS SSO or ADFS temporarily (if possible). If you're trying to isolate whether it’s an AWS config vs. JumpCloud mapping issue, testing with AWS SSO or another SAML IdP can help confirm.