SharePoint WebDAV authentication error due to Azure security changes

Connecting SFTPPlus to SharePoint Online over WebDAV is affected by a security policy change done by the Azure team that enforces multi factor authentication for all users.

Published
2025-08-21
Tags
clientsharepoint

Introduction ​

Important Notice: SFTPPlus MFT WebDAV Authentication to SharePoint Online impacted by Azure security policy changes

We want to inform you of an important change affecting integrations between SFTPPlus WebDAV and SharePoint Online.

For more details on migrating to SharePoint OAuth2, please read our article: Migrating SFTPPlus Transfers from SAML to OAuth2.

What's Changing? ​

The Azure team has changed the default security policy enforcing multi factor authentication (MFA) for all users.

With this change, SAML claims-based authentication for SharePoint Online no longer works. SFTPPlus MFT relies on SAML to authenticate to SharePoint Online.

The changes are rolled out in stages by Microsoft.

Microsoft is pushing for migrating from SAML to OAuth2 authentication method.

What Should You Do? ​

  1. Contact Azure Support and ask them to revert the changes and postpone the changes.
  2. Migrate to SharePoint Online OAuth2. Get the latest SFTPPlus version for SharePoint OAuth2 support. Contact SFTPPlus Support to review your current configuration and plan for migration.
  3. Plan migration by the end of October 2025. Begin planning a migration to OAuth2 authentication method. The OAuth2 authentication is based on application credentials, rather than user credentials. This means that the regular user SharePoint permissions are no longer active for OAuth2 authentication.

Need Help? ​

Our team is here to support you during this transition. Contact our support team if you need assistance migrating your authentication method.