| RFC 9537 | Redacted Fields in RDAP | March 2024 |
| Gould, et al. | Standards Track | [Page] |
This document describes a Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) extension for specifying methods of redaction of RDAP responses and explicitly identifying redacted RDAP response fields, using JSONPath as the default expression language.¶
This is an Internet Standards Track document.¶
This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). It represents the consensus of the IETF community. It has received public review and has been approved for publication by the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Further information on Internet Standards is available in Section 2 of RFC 7841.¶
Information about the current status of this document, any errata, and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc9537.¶
Copyright (c) 2024 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the document authors. All rights reserved.¶
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal Provisions Relating to IETF Documents (https://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of publication of this document. Please review these documents carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect to this document. Code Components extracted from this document must include Revised BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as described in the Revised BSD License.¶
This document describes an RDAP extension for specifying methods of redaction of RDAP responses and explicitly identifying redacted RDAP response fields, using JSONPath as the default expression language. A redacted RDAP field is one that has data removed or replaced in the RDAP response due to server policy, such as the lack of client privilege to receive the field. This extension can be used to identify redacted RDAP fields in any RDAP object class, as defined in [RFC9083], or RDAP fields defined in RDAP extensions. Because an RDAP response may exclude a field due to either the lack of data or the lack of RDAP client privileges, this extension is used to explicitly specify which RDAP fields are not included in the RDAP response due to redaction. It thereby provides a capability for disambiguation between redaction and other possible reasons for data or field absence.¶
In [RFC9082], RDAP supports both lookup and search queries, where a lookup query responds with a single object and a search query responds with a list of objects. This document applies to redaction of a single object of a lookup response and in each of the objects of a search response.¶
JSONPath, as defined in [RFC9535], is used as the default expression language to reference RDAP fields that have been redacted. The redacted JSON fields will be removed, have empty values, have partial values, or be replaced in the RDAP response. JSON is defined by [RFC8259].¶
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "NOT RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in BCP 14 [RFC2119] [RFC8174] when, and only when, they appear in all capitals, as shown here.¶
The JSON examples include extra line breaks and empty space. For instance, the JSONPath expressions are broken out into multiple lines when required for illustration.¶
The JSONPath expressions in the examples are for illustration purposes with single-role entities, and the exact expressions to be used by the server are out of scope.¶
Redaction in RDAP can be handled in multiple ways. The resulting redacted RDAP response MUST comply with the format defined in the RDAP RFCs, such as [RFC9083] and updates. The use of placeholder text for the values of the RDAP fields, such as "XXXX", MUST NOT be used for redaction, since the placeholder text value may not match the format requirements of each of the RDAP fields, which could provide an inconsistent and unreliable redaction signal. This section covers the redaction methods that can be used with the redaction signaling defined in Section 4.2.¶
RDAP responses, as defined in [RFC9083], include a mix of JSON objects and JSON arrays, where JSON arrays are heavily used for entity objects with jCard [RFC7095]. jCard is a JSON representation of vCard [RFC6350] that inherits its dependency on arrays. An example is the vCard "ADR" property [RFC6350], or the jCard "adr" property [RFC7095], which defines a sequence of address components. According to [RFC6350], when an "ADR" property component value is missing, the associated component separator MUST still be specified. jCard extends the use of arrays with each individual vCard property being represented by an array of three fixed elements, followed by one or more additional elements. The mix of JSON objects and JSON arrays impacts the methods used for redaction in RDAP.¶
The redaction of RDAP fields fall into the four categories defined in the following subsections.¶
The Redaction by Removal Method is when the RDAP field is removed from the RDAP response, which is the default method. The Redaction by Removal Method can be done for all RDAP response fields except for response fields using the position in an array to signal the redacted field (e.g., the JSON arrays used with jCard). RDAP extensions, such as the one described in "Using JSContact in Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) JSON Responses" [RDAP-JSCONTACT], do not have a dependency on the use of positional JSON arrays and are therefore suited for the Redaction by Removal Method.¶
When an RDAP object is redacted by removal, all of the RDAP object's child fields are also removed. Only the redacted RDAP object needs to be referenced in the list of redacted fields, as defined in Section 4.2.¶
An example of redacting an RDAP object is removing the administrative contact from the RDAP response and including the following "redacted" member:¶
"redacted": [
{
"name": {
"description": "Administrative Contact"
},
"prePath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='administrative')]",
"method": "removal"
}
]
The Redaction by Removal Method MUST NOT be used to remove an element of an array where the position of the element in the array determines semantic meaning. For example, removal of an individual data field in jCard will result in a non-conformant jCard array definition.¶
The Redaction by Empty Value Method is when a redacted field is not removed but its value is set to an empty value, such as "" for a jCard text ("text") property or null for a non-text property. The empty jCard values ("" or null) are referenced in the "redacted" member in place of the jCard property name in an array, such as referencing the "fn" jCard property value at position 3 instead of referencing the "fn" jCard property name at position 0. The Redaction by Empty Value Method MUST be used only when redacting JSON response fields that use the position in an array to signal the redacted field (e.g., jCard arrays). Optional jCard properties MUST use the Redaction by Removal Method (Section 3.1) to redact the entire property. The required jCard "fn" property, defined in Section 6.2.1 of vCard [RFC6350], MUST use the Redaction by Empty Value Method to redact the property value. Removing the "fn" property would violate vCard [RFC6350], and removing the property value would violate the fixed array positions defined in jCard.¶
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
""
]
An example of the "redacted" member for the redacted "fn" jCard property value, which is array position 3:¶
"redacted": [
{
"name": {
"description": "Registrant Name"
},
"postPath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='registrant')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='fn')][3]",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "emptyValue",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
}
]
The Redaction by Partial Value Method is when a redacted field is not removed but its value has a portion of the data removed, such as for the "label" or "fn" jCard properties. The partial values are referenced in the "redacted" member in place of the property name in an array, such as referencing the "fn" jCard property value at position 3 instead of referencing the "fn" jCard property name at position 0. The Redaction by Partial Value Method SHOULD be used only when redacting JSON response fields that use a formatted value, where a portion of the value is removed.¶
An example of the "label" jCard property in Section 3.3.1.3 of [RFC7095] that redacts "123 Maple Ave\nSuite 901\n":¶
["adr",
{
"type":"home",
"label":"Vancouver\nBC\n1239\n"
},
"text",
[
"", "", "", "", "", "", ""
]
]
An example of the "redacted" member for the redacted "label" jCard property value, based on Section 3.3.1.3 of [RFC7095]:¶
"redacted": [
{
"name": {
"description": "Home Address Label"
},
"postPath": "$.vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='adr')][1].label",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "partialValue",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
}
]
The Redaction by Replacement Value Method is when a redacted field is not removed but its value is replaced with a different value, such as protecting the "email" jCard property value with an anonymized email "text" value or the use of an alternative "uri" value to a web form. Replacing a property value is a form of redaction, since it protects the true property value for privacy reasons.¶
[
"email",
{},
"text",
"anonymized123@example.com"
]
"redacted": [
{
"name": {
"description": "Registrant Email"
},
"postPath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='registrant')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='email')][3]",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "replacementValue",
}
]
RDAP responses that contain values described in this document MUST indicate conformance with this specification by including an "rdapConformance" [RFC9083] value of "redacted". The "redacted" extension identifier is described in Section 6.1.¶
"rdapConformance": [ "rdap_level_0", "redacted" ]
The "redacted" member MUST be added to the RDAP response when there is one or more redacted fields. The "redacted" member is included as a member of the object instance in a lookup response, such as the object classes defined in [RFC9083], and as a member of the object instances in a search response.¶
The server, including a redacted signal, provides an unauthorized client additional information related to the existence of data and MAY exclude the redacted members for RDAP fields that are considered a privacy issue in providing a data existence signal. The server MAY choose to publish a redaction policy describing how this extension is implemented for their constituency. The contents of such a policy are outside the scope of this specification.¶
The "redacted" member contains an array of objects with the following child members:¶
OPTIONAL redaction method used, with one of the following values:¶
The default value is "removal" when not provided.¶
Example of the unredacted version of an RDAP lookup response:¶
{
"rdapConformance": [
"rdap_level_0"
],
"objectClassName": "domain",
"handle": "ABC123",
"ldhName": "example.com",
"secureDNS": {
"delegationSigned": false
},
"notices": [
{
"title": "Terms of Use",
"description": [
"Service subject to Terms of Use."
],
"links": [
{
"rel": "self",
"href": "https://www.example.com/terms-of-use",
"type": "text/html",
"value": "https://www.example.com/terms-of-use"
}
]
}
],
"nameservers": [
{
"objectClassName": "nameserver",
"ldhName": "ns1.example.com"
},
{
"objectClassName": "nameserver",
"ldhName": "ns2.example.com"
}
],
"entities": [
{
"objectClassName": "entity",
"handle": "123",
"roles": [
"registrar"
],
"publicIds": [
{
"type": "IANA Registrar ID",
"identifier": "1"
}
],
"vcardArray": [
"vcard",
[
[
"version",
{},
"text",
"4.0"
],
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
"Example Registrar Inc."
],
[
"adr",
{},
"text",
[
"",
"Suite 100",
"123 Example Dr.",
"Dulles",
"VA",
"20166-6503",
"US"
]
],
[
"email",
{},
"text",
"contact@organization.example"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "voice"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1.7035555555;ext=1234"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "fax"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1.7035555556"
]
]
],
"entities": [
{
"objectClassName": "entity",
"roles": [
"abuse"
],
"vcardArray": [
"vcard",
[
[
"version",
{},
"text",
"4.0"
],
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
"Abuse Contact"
],
[
"email",
{},
"text",
"abuse@organization.example"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "voice"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1.7035555555;ext=1234"
]
]
]
}
]
},
{
"objectClassName": "entity",
"handle": "XXXX",
"roles": [
"registrant"
],
"vcardArray": [
"vcard",
[
[
"version",
{},
"text",
"4.0"
],
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
"Registrant User"
],
[
"org",
{},
"text",
"Example Inc."
],
[
"adr",
{},
"text",
[
"",
"Suite 1235",
"4321 Rue Somewhere",
"Quebec",
"QC",
"G1V 2M2",
"Canada"
]
],
[
"email",
{},
"text",
"registrant.user@example.com"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "voice"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1-555-555-1235;ext=123"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "fax"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1-555-555-5321"
]
]
]
},
{
"objectClassName": "entity",
"handle": "YYYY",
"roles": [
"technical"
],
"vcardArray": [
"vcard",
[
[
"version",
{},
"text",
"4.0"
],
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
"Technical User"
],
[
"org",
{},
"text",
"Example Inc."
],
[
"adr",
{},
"text",
[
"",
"Suite 1234",
"4321 Rue Somewhere",
"Quebec",
"QC",
"G1V 2M2",
"Canada"
]
],
[
"email",
{},
"text",
"technical.user@example.com"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "voice"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1-555-555-1234;ext=321"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "fax"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1-555-555-4321"
]
]
]
},
{
"objectClassName": "entity",
"handle": "ZZZZ",
"roles": [
"administrative"
],
"vcardArray": [
"vcard",
[
[
"version",
{},
"text",
"4.0"
],
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
"Administrative User"
],
[
"org",
{},
"text",
"Example Inc."
],
[
"adr",
{},
"text",
[
"",
"Suite 1236",
"4321 Rue Somewhere",
"Quebec",
"QC",
"G1V 2M2",
"Canada"
]
],
[
"email",
{},
"text",
"administrative.user@example.com"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "voice"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1-555-555-1236;ext=789"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "fax"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1-555-555-6321"
]
]
]
},
{
"objectClassName": "entity",
"handle": "WWWW",
"roles": [
"billing"
],
"vcardArray": [
"vcard",
[
[
"version",
{},
"text",
"4.0"
],
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
"Billing User"
],
[
"email",
{},
"text",
"billing.user@example.com"
]
]
]
}
],
"events": [
{
"eventAction": "registration",
"eventDate": "1997-06-03T00:00:00Z"
},
{
"eventAction": "last changed",
"eventDate": "2020-05-28T01:35:00Z"
},
{
"eventAction": "expiration",
"eventDate": "2021-06-03T04:00:00Z"
}
],
"status": [
"server delete prohibited",
"server update prohibited",
"server transfer prohibited",
"client transfer prohibited"
]
}
Example of the redacted version of an RDAP lookup response:¶
{
"rdapConformance": [
"rdap_level_0",
"redacted"
],
"objectClassName": "domain",
"ldhName": "example.com",
"secureDNS": {
"delegationSigned": false
},
"notices": [
{
"title": "Terms of Use",
"description": [
"Service subject to Terms of Use."
],
"links": [
{
"rel": "self",
"href": "https://www.example.com/terms-of-use",
"type": "text/html",
"value": "https://www.example.com/terms-of-use"
}
]
}
],
"nameservers": [
{
"objectClassName": "nameserver",
"ldhName": "ns1.example.com"
},
{
"objectClassName": "nameserver",
"ldhName": "ns2.example.com"
}
],
"entities": [
{
"objectClassName": "entity",
"handle": "123",
"roles": [
"registrar"
],
"publicIds": [
{
"type": "IANA Registrar ID",
"identifier": "1"
}
],
"vcardArray": [
"vcard",
[
[
"version",
{},
"text",
"4.0"
],
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
"Example Registrar Inc."
],
[
"adr",
{},
"text",
[
"",
"Suite 100",
"123 Example Dr.",
"Dulles",
"VA",
"20166-6503",
"US"
]
],
[
"email",
{},
"text",
"contact@organization.example"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "voice"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1.7035555555"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "fax"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1.7035555556"
]
]
],
"entities": [
{
"objectClassName": "entity",
"roles": [
"abuse"
],
"vcardArray": [
"vcard",
[
[
"version",
{},
"text",
"4.0"
],
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
"Abuse Contact"
],
[
"email",
{},
"text",
"abuse@organization.example"
],
[
"tel",
{
"type": "voice"
},
"uri",
"tel:+1.7035555555"
]
]
]
}
]
},
{
"objectClassName": "entity",
"handle": "XXXX",
"roles": [
"registrant"
],
"vcardArray": [
"vcard",
[
[
"version",
{},
"text",
"4.0"
],
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
""
],
[
"adr",
{},
"text",
[
"",
"",
"",
"",
"QC",
"",
"Canada"
]
]
]
]
},
{
"objectClassName": "entity",
"handle": "YYYY",
"roles": [
"technical"
],
"vcardArray": [
"vcard",
[
[
"version",
{},
"text",
"4.0"
],
[
"fn",
{},
"text",
""
],
[
"org",
{},
"text",
"Example Inc."
],
[
"adr",
{},
"text",
[
"",
"Suite 1234",
"4321 Rue Somewhere",
"Quebec",
"QC",
"G1V 2M2",
"Canada"
]
]
]
]
}
],
"events": [
{
"eventAction": "registration",
"eventDate": "1997-06-03T00:00:00Z"
},
{
"eventAction": "last changed",
"eventDate": "2020-05-28T01:35:00Z"
},
{
"eventAction": "expiration",
"eventDate": "2021-06-03T04:00:00Z"
}
],
"status": [
"server delete prohibited",
"server update prohibited",
"server transfer prohibited",
"client transfer prohibited"
],
"redacted": [
{
"name": {
"description": "Registry Domain ID"
},
"prePath": "$.handle",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "removal",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Registrant Name"
},
"postPath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='registrant')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='fn')][3]",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "emptyValue",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Registrant Organization"
},
"prePath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='registrant')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='org')]",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "removal",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Registrant Street"
},
"postPath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='registrant')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='adr')][3][:3]",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "emptyValue",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Registrant City"
},
"postPath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='registrant')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='adr')][3][3]",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "emptyValue",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Registrant Postal Code"
},
"postPath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='registrant')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='adr')][3][5]",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "emptyValue",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Registrant Email"
},
"prePath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='registrant')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='email')]",
"method": "removal",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Registrant Phone"
},
"prePath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='registrant')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[1].type=='voice')]",
"method": "removal",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Technical Name"
},
"postPath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='technical')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='fn')][3]",
"method": "emptyValue",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Technical Email"
},
"prePath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='technical')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[0]=='email')]",
"method": "removal",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Technical Phone"
},
"prePath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='technical')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[1].type=='voice')]",
"method": "removal",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Technical Fax"
},
"prePath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='technical')].
vcardArray[1][?(@[1].type=='fax')]",
"reason": {
"description": "Client request"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Administrative Contact"
},
"prePath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='administrative')]",
"method": "removal",
"reason": {
"description": "Refer to the technical contact"
}
},
{
"name": {
"description": "Billing Contact"
},
"prePath": "$.entities[?(@.roles[0]=='billing')]",
"method": "removal",
"reason": {
"description": "Refer to the registrant contact"
}
}
]
}
Example of the unredacted version of an RDAP search response:¶
{
"rdapConformance": [
"rdap_level_0"
],
"domainSearchResults":[
{
"objectClassName": "domain",
"handle": "ABC121",
"ldhName": "example1.com",
"links":[
{
"value":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example1.com",
"rel":"self",
"href":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example1.com",
"type":"application/rdap+json"
},
{
"value":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example1.com",
"rel":"related",
"href":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example1.com",
"type":"application/rdap+json"
}
]
},
{
"objectClassName": "domain",
"handle": "ABC122",
"ldhName": "example2.com",
"links":[
{
"value":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example2.com",
"rel":"self",
"href":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example2.com",
"type":"application/rdap+json"
},
{
"value":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example2.com",
"rel":"related",
"href":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example2.com",
"type":"application/rdap+json"
}
]
}
]
}
Example of the redacted version of an RDAP search response:¶
{
"rdapConformance": [
"rdap_level_0",
"redacted"
],
"domainSearchResults":[
{
"objectClassName": "domain",
"ldhName": "example1.com",
"links":[
{
"value":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example1.com",
"rel":"self",
"href":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example1.com",
"type":"application/rdap+json"
},
{
"value":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example1.com",
"rel":"related",
"href":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example1.com",
"type":"application/rdap+json"
}
],
"redacted": [
{
"name": {
"type": "Registry Domain ID"
},
"prePath": "$.domainSearchResults[0].handle",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "removal",
"reason": {
"type": "Server policy"
}
}
]
},
{
"objectClassName": "domain",
"ldhName": "example2.com",
"links":[
{
"value":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example2.com",
"rel":"self",
"href":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example2.com",
"type":"application/rdap+json"
},
{
"value":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example2.com",
"rel":"related",
"href":"https://example.com/rdap/domain/example2.com",
"type":"application/rdap+json"
}
],
"redacted": [
{
"name": {
"description": "Registry Domain ID"
},
"prePath": "$.domainSearchResults[1].handle",
"pathLang": "jsonpath",
"method": "removal",
"reason": {
"description": "Server policy"
}
}
]
}
]
}
JSONPath [RFC9535] is the default JSON path expression language. This section includes JSONPath considerations for clients and servers.¶
This section covers considerations for clients that receive responses from servers using JSONPath [RFC9535] to identify redacted RDAP fields with the "prePath", "postPath", or "replacementPath" member of redacted objects in the "redacted" member. The list of JSONPath client considerations include:¶
This section covers considerations for servers using JSONPath [RFC9535] to identify redacted RDAP fields with the "prePath", "postPath", or "replacementPath" member of redacted objects in the "redacted" member. The list of JSONPath considerations include:¶
IANA has registered the following value in the "RDAP Extensions" registry:¶
Section 10.2 of [RFC9083] defines the "RDAP JSON Values" registry with predefined Type field values and a registration policy of Expert Review [RFC8126]. This specification defines three new Type field values that can be used to register predefined redacted name, reason, and expression language values. IANA has updated the "RDAP JSON Values" registry to accept these additional Type field values as follows:¶
IANA has also listed this document as a reference for the "RDAP JSON Values" registry and has registered the following value:¶
The extension described in this document does not provide any security services beyond those described by [RFC9083].¶
The authors wish to thank the following persons for their feedback and suggestions: Marc Blanchet, Tom Harrison, Scott Hollenbeck, Pawel Kowalik, Mario Loffredo, Gustavo Lozano, Andy Newton, Jasdip Singh, and Rick Wilhelm.¶