Okta "Invalid externalNamespace" Task Error Occurs When Assigning a User to a SCIM-Enabled Application
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Overview
An invalid external namespace property configured for an attribute in Okta causes an application assignment error during user provisioning. Deleting the invalid attribute and re-adding it with the correct external namespace resolves the issue. When a new user is assigned to a System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM) application, Okta returns the following application assignment error:
Invalid externalNamespace
If the task is retried from the Admin Console, Okta successfully provisions the user without further errors.
Applies To
- Okta Identity Engine (OIE)
- Okta Classic Engine
- Okta Integration Network (OIN)
- System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM) Application Template
- Universal Directory
Cause
The External Namespace property configured for the attribute in Okta does not match a supported namespace. The following external namespaces are supported by SCIM 2.0:
urn:ietf:params:scim:schemas:core:2.0:Userurn:ietf:params:scim:schemas:extension:enterprise:2.0:User
Solution
How is the "Invalid externalNamespace" error resolved?
Locate the SCIM application in the Profile Editor, delete the attribute with the invalid external namespace, and re-add the attribute with the correct external namespace by following these steps.
- In the Okta Admin Console, navigate to Directory > Profile Editor, and select the SCIM application.
- Select Profile.
- Delete any attributes that have an invalid External namespace property associated with them.
- Okta displays a prompt to remove the attribute from any mappings where it is referenced.
- Re-add any attributes deleted in Step 3, and configure the correct External namespace.
- For examples regarding external namespaces, review the SCIM Protocol or consult with the application developer to confirm the correct values.
- Select Save Attribute.
The following image displays an example of an attribute named "costCenter" with a valid External Namespace.
