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I am trying to generate a self-signed certificate with OpenSSL with SubjectAltName in it.While I am generating the csr for the certificate, my guess is I have to use v3 extensions of OpenSSL x509.
I am using :
openssl req -new -x509 -v3 -key private.key -out certificate.pem -days 730
Can someone help me with the exact syntax?
Can someone help me with the exact syntax?
It's a three-step process, and it involves modifying the openssl.cnf file. You might be able to do it with only command line options, but I don't do it that way.
Find your openssl.cnf file. It is likely located in /usr/lib/ssl/openssl.cnf:
$ find /usr/lib -name openssl.cnf
/usr/lib/openssl.cnf
/usr/lib/openssh/openssl.cnf
/usr/lib/ssl/openssl.cnf
On my Debian system, /usr/lib/ssl/openssl.cnf is used by the built-in openssl program. On recent Debian systems it is located at /etc/ssl/openssl.cnf
You can determine which openssl.cnf is being used by adding a spurious XXX to the file and see if openssl chokes.
First, modify the req parameters. Add an alternate_names section to openssl.cnf with the names you want to use. There are no existing alternate_names sections, so it does not matter where you add it.
[ alternate_names ]
DNS.1 = example.com
DNS.2 = www.example.com
DNS.3 = mail.example.com
DNS.4 = ftp.example.com
Next, add the following to the existing [ v3_ca ] section. Search for the exact string [ v3_ca ]:
subjectAltName = #alternate_names
You might change keyUsage to the following under [ v3_ca ]:
keyUsage = digitalSignature, keyEncipherment
digitalSignature and keyEncipherment are standard fare for a server certificate. Don't worry about nonRepudiation. It's a useless bit thought up by computer science guys/gals who wanted to be lawyers. It means nothing in the legal world.
In the end, the IETF (RFC 5280), browsers and CAs run fast and loose, so it probably does not matter what key usage you provide.
Second, modify the signing parameters. Find this line under the CA_default section:
# Extension copying option: use with caution.
# copy_extensions = copy
And change it to:
# Extension copying option: use with caution.
copy_extensions = copy
This ensures the SANs are copied into the certificate. The other ways to copy the DNS names are broken.
Third, generate your self-signed certificate:
$ openssl genrsa -out private.key 3072
$ openssl req -new -x509 -key private.key -sha256 -out certificate.pem -days 730
You are about to be asked to enter information that will be incorporated
into your certificate request.
What you are about to enter is what is called a Distinguished Name or a DN.
...
Finally, examine the certificate:
$ openssl x509 -in certificate.pem -text -noout
Certificate:
Data:
Version: 3 (0x2)
Serial Number: 9647297427330319047 (0x85e215e5869042c7)
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
Issuer: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, O=Test CA, Limited, CN=Test CA/emailAddress=test#example.com
Validity
Not Before: Feb 1 05:23:05 2014 GMT
Not After : Feb 1 05:23:05 2016 GMT
Subject: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, O=Test CA, Limited, CN=Test CA/emailAddress=test#example.com
Subject Public Key Info:
Public Key Algorithm: rsaEncryption
Public-Key: (3072 bit)
Modulus:
00:e2:e9:0e:9a:b8:52:d4:91:cf:ed:33:53:8e:35:
...
d6:7d:ed:67:44:c3:65:38:5d:6c:94:e5:98:ab:8c:
72:1c:45:92:2c:88:a9:be:0b:f9
Exponent: 65537 (0x10001)
X509v3 extensions:
X509v3 Subject Key Identifier:
34:66:39:7C:EC:8B:70:80:9E:6F:95:89:DB:B5:B9:B8:D8:F8:AF:A4
X509v3 Authority Key Identifier:
keyid:34:66:39:7C:EC:8B:70:80:9E:6F:95:89:DB:B5:B9:B8:D8:F8:AF:A4
X509v3 Basic Constraints: critical
CA:FALSE
X509v3 Key Usage:
Digital Signature, Non Repudiation, Key Encipherment, Certificate Sign
X509v3 Subject Alternative Name:
DNS:example.com, DNS:www.example.com, DNS:mail.example.com, DNS:ftp.example.com
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
3b:28:fc:e3:b5:43:5a:d2:a0:b8:01:9b:fa:26:47:8e:5c:b7:
...
71:21:b9:1f:fa:30:19:8b:be:d2:19:5a:84:6c:81:82:95:ef:
8b:0a:bd:65:03:d1
Related
I'm not sure what the right terminology is, but I am generating an ssl cert signed by my own CA using the openssl "ca" command. When I do, I get a .pem file with a "header" which looks something like this:
Certificate:
Data:
Version: 3 (0x2)
Serial Number:
e9:f1:6b:ab:c8:ea:25:06
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
Issuer: C=US, ST=SomeWhere, L=SomeWhere, O=MyCompany, OU=Software Development, CN=test.com Certifying Authority/emailAddress=certsref#test.com
Validity
Not Before: Apr 21 22:41:51 2018 GMT
Not After : Apr 20 22:41:51 2068 GMT
Subject: C=US, ST=SomeWhere, O=MyCompany, OU=Software Development, CN=test.com/emailAddress=certsref#test.com
Subject Public Key Info:
Public Key Algorithm: rsaEncryption
Public-Key: (2048 bit)
Modulus:
00:de:59:c8:02:18:b4:f5:05:70:37:5a:ba:d7:3c:
...
Exponent: 65537 (0x10001)
X509v3 extensions:
X509v3 Basic Constraints:
CA:FALSE
Netscape Cert Type:
SSL Server
X509v3 Key Usage:
Digital Signature, Non Repudiation, Key Encipherment
Netscape Comment:
OpenSSL Generated Certificate
X509v3 Subject Key Identifier:
D9:71:FB:D3:45:AD:85:23:A9:0B:5D:93:CD:AB:56:EE:D1:B3:41:29
X509v3 Authority Key Identifier:
keyid:84:37:2F:10:E4:03:9A:6A:BF:21:B1:AF:37:DA:E9:1F:BF:68:78:B1
X509v3 Subject Alternative Name:
DNS:test.com, DNS:192.168.100.1, IP Address:192.168.100.1
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
aa:3e:52:88:4f:ef:03:37:64:2e:da:46:f3:e1:b0:60:35:03:
...
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
MIIEszCCA5ugAwIBAgIJAOnxa6vI6iUGMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBCwUAMIHGMQswCQYD
...
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
I can strip that file down to just the base 64 part (i.e. remove the "header") by using:
openssl x509 -in in.pem -inform PEM -out out.pem -outform PEM
My question is, how do I do the reverse? How do I add this "header" info or explicitly generate my CA cert with that?
When I generate my CA, I use:
openssl req -x509 ...
This produces a pem WITHOUT the header. I'd like to have my CA pem WITH a header as well, so I can have a CA and a cert signed by it which both have headers.
I got it myself. Sometimes (frequently...) asking the question pushes me in the right direction.
The "header" I was referring turned out to be the certificate in "text format". This can be output by running the following:
openssl x509 -in cacert.pem -text -noout
So, I just ran that on my "headless" CA, got the text and preppended it on the file itself. As far as I can see, the CA cert still works perfectly (for those contexts which are fine with the "header" being present).
During my search, I found several ways of signing a SSL Certificate Signing Request:
Using the x509 module:
openssl x509 -req -days 360 -in server.csr -CA ca.crt -CAkey ca.key -CAcreateserial -out server.crt
Using the ca module:
openssl ca -cert ca.crt -keyfile ca.key -in server.csr -out server.crt
Note: I am unsure of the use of the right parameters for this one. Please advise correct usage if I am to use it.
What way should one use to sign certificate requests with your Certification Authority?
Is one method better than the other (for example, one being deprecated)?
1. Using the x509 module
openssl x509 ...
...
2 Using the ca module
openssl ca ...
...
You are missing the prelude to those commands.
This is a two-step process. First you set up your CA, and then you sign an end entity certificate (a.k.a server or user). Both of the two commands elide the two steps into one. And both assume you have a an OpenSSL configuration file already setup for both CAs and Server (end entity) certificates.
First, create a basic configuration file:
$ touch openssl-ca.cnf
Then, add the following to it:
HOME = .
RANDFILE = $ENV::HOME/.rnd
####################################################################
[ ca ]
default_ca = CA_default # The default ca section
[ CA_default ]
default_days = 365 # How long to certify for
default_crl_days = 30 # How long before next CRL
default_md = sha256 # Use public key default MD
preserve = no # Keep passed DN ordering
x509_extensions = ca_extensions # The extensions to add to the cert
email_in_dn = no # Don't concat the email in the DN
copy_extensions = copy # Required to copy SANs from CSR to cert
####################################################################
[ req ]
default_bits = 4096
default_keyfile = cakey.pem
distinguished_name = ca_distinguished_name
x509_extensions = ca_extensions
string_mask = utf8only
####################################################################
[ ca_distinguished_name ]
countryName = Country Name (2 letter code)
countryName_default = US
stateOrProvinceName = State or Province Name (full name)
stateOrProvinceName_default = Maryland
localityName = Locality Name (eg, city)
localityName_default = Baltimore
organizationName = Organization Name (eg, company)
organizationName_default = Test CA, Limited
organizationalUnitName = Organizational Unit (eg, division)
organizationalUnitName_default = Server Research Department
commonName = Common Name (e.g. server FQDN or YOUR name)
commonName_default = Test CA
emailAddress = Email Address
emailAddress_default = test#example.com
####################################################################
[ ca_extensions ]
subjectKeyIdentifier = hash
authorityKeyIdentifier = keyid:always, issuer
basicConstraints = critical, CA:true
keyUsage = keyCertSign, cRLSign
The fields above are taken from a more complex openssl.cnf (you can find it in /usr/lib/openssl.cnf), but I think they are the essentials for creating the CA certificate and private key.
Tweak the fields above to suit your taste. The defaults save you the time from entering the same information while experimenting with configuration file and command options.
I omitted the CRL-relevant stuff, but your CA operations should have them. See openssl.cnf and the related crl_ext section.
Then, execute the following. The -nodes omits the password or passphrase so you can examine the certificate. It's a really bad idea to omit the password or passphrase.
$ openssl req -x509 -config openssl-ca.cnf -days 365 -newkey rsa:4096 -sha256 -nodes -out cacert.pem -outform PEM
After the command executes, cacert.pem will be your certificate for CA operations, and cakey.pem will be the private key. Recall the private key does not have a password or passphrase.
You can dump the certificate with the following.
$ openssl x509 -in cacert.pem -text -noout
Certificate:
Data:
Version: 3 (0x2)
Serial Number: 11485830970703032316 (0x9f65de69ceef2ffc)
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
Issuer: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, CN=Test CA/emailAddress=test#example.com
Validity
Not Before: Jan 24 14:24:11 2014 GMT
Not After : Feb 23 14:24:11 2014 GMT
Subject: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, CN=Test CA/emailAddress=test#example.com
Subject Public Key Info:
Public Key Algorithm: rsaEncryption
Public-Key: (4096 bit)
Modulus:
00:b1:7f:29:be:78:02:b8:56:54:2d:2c:ec:ff:6d:
...
39:f9:1e:52:cb:8e:bf:8b:9e:a6:93:e1:22:09:8b:
59:05:9f
Exponent: 65537 (0x10001)
X509v3 extensions:
X509v3 Subject Key Identifier:
4A:9A:F3:10:9E:D7:CF:54:79:DE:46:75:7A:B0:D0:C1:0F:CF:C1:8A
X509v3 Authority Key Identifier:
keyid:4A:9A:F3:10:9E:D7:CF:54:79:DE:46:75:7A:B0:D0:C1:0F:CF:C1:8A
X509v3 Basic Constraints: critical
CA:TRUE
X509v3 Key Usage:
Certificate Sign, CRL Sign
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
4a:6f:1f:ac:fd:fb:1e:a4:6d:08:eb:f5:af:f6:1e:48:a5:c7:
...
cd:c6:ac:30:f9:15:83:41:c1:d1:20:fa:85:e7:4f:35:8f:b5:
38:ff:fd:55:68:2c:3e:37
And test its purpose with the following (don't worry about the Any Purpose: Yes; see "critical,CA:FALSE" but "Any Purpose CA : Yes").
$ openssl x509 -purpose -in cacert.pem -inform PEM
Certificate purposes:
SSL client : No
SSL client CA : Yes
SSL server : No
SSL server CA : Yes
Netscape SSL server : No
Netscape SSL server CA : Yes
S/MIME signing : No
S/MIME signing CA : Yes
S/MIME encryption : No
S/MIME encryption CA : Yes
CRL signing : Yes
CRL signing CA : Yes
Any Purpose : Yes
Any Purpose CA : Yes
OCSP helper : Yes
OCSP helper CA : Yes
Time Stamp signing : No
Time Stamp signing CA : Yes
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
MIIFpTCCA42gAwIBAgIJAJ9l3mnO7y/8MA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBCwUAMGExCzAJBgNV
...
aQUtFrV4hpmJUaQZ7ySr/RjCb4KYkQpTkOtKJOU1Ic3GrDD5FYNBwdEg+oXnTzWP
tTj//VVoLD43
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
For part two, I'm going to create another configuration file that's easily digestible. First, touch the openssl-server.cnf (you can make one of these for user certificates also).
$ touch openssl-server.cnf
Then open it, and add the following.
HOME = .
RANDFILE = $ENV::HOME/.rnd
####################################################################
[ req ]
default_bits = 2048
default_keyfile = serverkey.pem
distinguished_name = server_distinguished_name
req_extensions = server_req_extensions
string_mask = utf8only
####################################################################
[ server_distinguished_name ]
countryName = Country Name (2 letter code)
countryName_default = US
stateOrProvinceName = State or Province Name (full name)
stateOrProvinceName_default = MD
localityName = Locality Name (eg, city)
localityName_default = Baltimore
organizationName = Organization Name (eg, company)
organizationName_default = Test Server, Limited
commonName = Common Name (e.g. server FQDN or YOUR name)
commonName_default = Test Server
emailAddress = Email Address
emailAddress_default = test#example.com
####################################################################
[ server_req_extensions ]
subjectKeyIdentifier = hash
basicConstraints = CA:FALSE
keyUsage = digitalSignature, keyEncipherment
subjectAltName = #alternate_names
nsComment = "OpenSSL Generated Certificate"
####################################################################
[ alternate_names ]
DNS.1 = example.com
DNS.2 = www.example.com
DNS.3 = mail.example.com
DNS.4 = ftp.example.com
If you are developing and need to use your workstation as a server, then you may need to do the following for Chrome. Otherwise Chrome may complain a Common Name is invalid (ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID). I'm not sure what the relationship is between an IP address in the SAN and a CN in this instance.
# IPv4 localhost
IP.1 = 127.0.0.1
# IPv6 localhost
IP.2 = ::1
Then, create the server certificate request. Be sure to omit -x509*. Adding -x509 will create a certificate, and not a request.
$ openssl req -config openssl-server.cnf -newkey rsa:2048 -sha256 -nodes -out servercert.csr -outform PEM
After this command executes, you will have a request in servercert.csr and a private key in serverkey.pem.
And you can inspect it again.
$ openssl req -text -noout -verify -in servercert.csr
Certificate:
verify OK
Certificate Request:
Version: 0 (0x0)
Subject: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, CN=Test Server/emailAddress=test#example.com
Subject Public Key Info:
Public Key Algorithm: rsaEncryption
Public-Key: (2048 bit)
Modulus:
00:ce:3d:58:7f:a0:59:92:aa:7c:a0:82:dc:c9:6d:
...
f9:5e:0c:ba:84:eb:27:0d:d9:e7:22:5d:fe:e5:51:
86:e1
Exponent: 65537 (0x10001)
Attributes:
Requested Extensions:
X509v3 Subject Key Identifier:
1F:09:EF:79:9A:73:36:C1:80:52:60:2D:03:53:C7:B6:BD:63:3B:61
X509v3 Basic Constraints:
CA:FALSE
X509v3 Key Usage:
Digital Signature, Key Encipherment
X509v3 Subject Alternative Name:
DNS:example.com, DNS:www.example.com, DNS:mail.example.com, DNS:ftp.example.com
Netscape Comment:
OpenSSL Generated Certificate
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
6d:e8:d3:85:b3:88:d4:1a:80:9e:67:0d:37:46:db:4d:9a:81:
...
76:6a:22:0a:41:45:1f:e2:d6:e4:8f:a1:ca:de:e5:69:98:88:
a9:63:d0:a7
Next, you have to sign it with your CA.
You are almost ready to sign the server's certificate by your CA. The CA's openssl-ca.cnf needs two more sections before issuing the command.
First, open openssl-ca.cnf and add the following two sections.
####################################################################
[ signing_policy ]
countryName = optional
stateOrProvinceName = optional
localityName = optional
organizationName = optional
organizationalUnitName = optional
commonName = supplied
emailAddress = optional
####################################################################
[ signing_req ]
subjectKeyIdentifier = hash
authorityKeyIdentifier = keyid,issuer
basicConstraints = CA:FALSE
keyUsage = digitalSignature, keyEncipherment
Second, add the following to the [ CA_default ] section of openssl-ca.cnf. I left them out earlier, because they can complicate things (they were unused at the time). Now you'll see how they are used, so hopefully they will make sense.
base_dir = .
certificate = $base_dir/cacert.pem # The CA certifcate
private_key = $base_dir/cakey.pem # The CA private key
new_certs_dir = $base_dir # Location for new certs after signing
database = $base_dir/index.txt # Database index file
serial = $base_dir/serial.txt # The current serial number
unique_subject = no # Set to 'no' to allow creation of
# several certificates with same subject.
Third, touch index.txt and serial.txt:
$ touch index.txt
$ echo '01' > serial.txt
Then, perform the following:
$ openssl ca -config openssl-ca.cnf -policy signing_policy -extensions signing_req -out servercert.pem -infiles servercert.csr
You should see similar to the following:
Using configuration from openssl-ca.cnf
Check that the request matches the signature
Signature ok
The Subject's Distinguished Name is as follows
countryName :PRINTABLE:'US'
stateOrProvinceName :ASN.1 12:'MD'
localityName :ASN.1 12:'Baltimore'
commonName :ASN.1 12:'Test CA'
emailAddress :IA5STRING:'test#example.com'
Certificate is to be certified until Oct 20 16:12:39 2016 GMT (1000 days)
Sign the certificate? [y/n]:Y
1 out of 1 certificate requests certified, commit? [y/n]Y
Write out database with 1 new entries
Data Base Updated
After the command executes, you will have a freshly minted server certificate in servercert.pem. The private key was created earlier and is available in serverkey.pem.
Finally, you can inspect your freshly minted certificate with the following:
$ openssl x509 -in servercert.pem -text -noout
Certificate:
Data:
Version: 3 (0x2)
Serial Number: 9 (0x9)
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
Issuer: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, CN=Test CA/emailAddress=test#example.com
Validity
Not Before: Jan 24 19:07:36 2014 GMT
Not After : Oct 20 19:07:36 2016 GMT
Subject: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, CN=Test Server
Subject Public Key Info:
Public Key Algorithm: rsaEncryption
Public-Key: (2048 bit)
Modulus:
00:ce:3d:58:7f:a0:59:92:aa:7c:a0:82:dc:c9:6d:
...
f9:5e:0c:ba:84:eb:27:0d:d9:e7:22:5d:fe:e5:51:
86:e1
Exponent: 65537 (0x10001)
X509v3 extensions:
X509v3 Subject Key Identifier:
1F:09:EF:79:9A:73:36:C1:80:52:60:2D:03:53:C7:B6:BD:63:3B:61
X509v3 Authority Key Identifier:
keyid:42:15:F2:CA:9C:B1:BB:F5:4C:2C:66:27:DA:6D:2E:5F:BA:0F:C5:9E
X509v3 Basic Constraints:
CA:FALSE
X509v3 Key Usage:
Digital Signature, Key Encipherment
X509v3 Subject Alternative Name:
DNS:example.com, DNS:www.example.com, DNS:mail.example.com, DNS:ftp.example.com
Netscape Comment:
OpenSSL Generated Certificate
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
b1:40:f6:34:f4:38:c8:57:d4:b6:08:f7:e2:71:12:6b:0e:4a:
...
45:71:06:a9:86:b6:0f:6d:8d:e1:c5:97:8d:fd:59:43:e9:3c:
56:a5:eb:c8:7e:9f:6b:7a
Earlier, you added the following to CA_default: copy_extensions = copy. This copies extension provided by the person making the request.
If you omit copy_extensions = copy, then your server certificate will lack the Subject Alternate Names (SANs) like www.example.com and mail.example.com.
If you use copy_extensions = copy, but don't look over the request, then the requester might be able to trick you into signing something like a subordinate root (rather than a server or user certificate). Which means he/she will be able to mint certificates that chain back to your trusted root. Be sure to verify the request with openssl req -verify before signing.
If you omit unique_subject or set it to yes, then you will only be allowed to create one certificate under the subject's distinguished name.
unique_subject = yes # Set to 'no' to allow creation of
# several ctificates with same subject.
Trying to create a second certificate while experimenting will result in the following when signing your server's certificate with the CA's private key:
Sign the certificate? [y/n]:Y
failed to update database
TXT_DB error number 2
So unique_subject = no is perfect for testing.
If you want to ensure the Organizational Name is consistent between self-signed CAs, Subordinate CA and End-Entity certificates, then add the following to your CA configuration files:
[ policy_match ]
organizationName = match
If you want to allow the Organizational Name to change, then use:
[ policy_match ]
organizationName = supplied
There are other rules concerning the handling of DNS names in X.509/PKIX certificates. Refer to these documents for the rules:
RFC 5280, Internet X.509 Public Key Infrastructure Certificate and Certificate Revocation List (CRL) Profile
RFC 6125, Representation and Verification of Domain-Based Application Service Identity within Internet Public Key Infrastructure Using X.509 (PKIX) Certificates in the Context of Transport Layer Security (TLS)
RFC 6797, Appendix A, HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)
RFC 7469, Public Key Pinning Extension for HTTP
CA/Browser Forum Baseline Requirements
CA/Browser Forum Extended Validation Guidelines
RFC 6797 and RFC 7469 are listed, because they are more restrictive than the other RFCs and CA/B documents. RFC's 6797 and 7469 do not allow an IP address, either.
In addition to answer of #jww, I would like to say that the configuration in openssl-ca.cnf,
default_days = 1000 # How long to certify for
defines the default number of days the certificate signed by this root-ca will be valid. To set the validity of root-ca itself you should use '-days n' option in:
openssl req -x509 -days 3000 -config openssl-ca.cnf -newkey rsa:4096 -sha256 -nodes -out cacert.pem -outform PEM
Failing to do so, your root-ca will be valid for only the default one month and any certificate signed by this root CA will also have validity of one month.
Sometimes, such as for testing, you just want a simplistic means of generating a signed certificate, without setting up a full-blown CA configuration. This is possible using just the openssl req and openssl x509 commands. You would never use this method for production certificates, but since it is useful for some non-production situations, here are the commands.
Generate a self-signed signing certificate
First, create a self-signed certificate that will be used as the root of trust:
openssl req -x509 -days 365 -key ca_private_key.pem -out ca_cert.pem
Or equivalently, if you want to generate a private key and a self-signed certificate in a single command:
openssl req -x509 -days 365 -newkey rsa:4096 -keyout ca_private_key.pem -out ca_cert.pem
Generate a certificate request
Next, create a certificate request for the certificate to be signed:
openssl req -new -key my_private_key.pem -out my_cert_req.pem
Again, you may generate the private key and the request simultaneously, if needed:
openssl req -new -newkey rsa:4096 -keyout my_private_key.pem -out my_cert_req.pem
Generate a signed certificate
Finally, use the self-signed signing certificate to generate a signed certificate from the certificate request:
openssl x509 -req -in my_cert_req.pem -days 365 -CA ca_cert.pem -CAkey ca_private_key.pem -CAcreateserial -out my_signed_cert.pem
I've found a convenient script sscg for this task - https://github.com/sgallagher/sscg
Here is an example for Fedora linux:
Installation:
sudo yum install sscg
Example:
sscg \
--ca-key-password-prompt \
--lifetime=3650 \
--country=XX \
--state=myState \
--locality=myCity \
--organization=myOrg \
--organizational-unit=myUnit \
--email=myemail#example.com \
--hostname=foo.example.com \
--subject-alt-name=*.example.com \
--ca-key-file=CA.key \
--ca-file=CA.pem \
--cert-key-file=foo.example.com.key \
--cert-file=foo.example.com.pem
I was using maven+grizzly+jersey to start my own server. I created self signed certificate so that my server can support https. I case you are curious, following is how I generated my certificate
keytool -genkey -keystore ./keystore_server -alias serverKey -dname "CN=localhost, OU=Jersey, O=Sun Microsystem, L=Prague, ST=Czech Republic, C=CZ"
keytool -export -alias serverKey -rfc -keystore ./keystore_server > ./server.cert
I was testing this on my iMac (Running Mavericks) Now, I added the server.cert to the system keychain so that all users can trust this certificate. Also, I change the trust level to "Always Trust".
I get this work in Chrome and Firefox. They asked me to add exception for this certificate, I did and then everything goes fine. However, I have never make Safari(7.0) happy. I always get the error saying that Safari cannot establish secure connection to my localhost.
Does anyone have any idea why it happened? Or is there better way to debug this problem so that I will be able to tell at which step things goes wrong.
Thank you in advance. I really appreciated it.
I finally knock this out. This has something to do with how I generate the key store.
The key algorithm I was using is DSA, to make Safari and curl happy I have to use RSA. Otherwise, during the SSL negotiation, there will be no common cipher suite.
openssl x509 -in server.cert -inform PEM -text -noout
Here is my certificate looks like...
Safari does not provide DSS support (see Wireshark capture below), even though its required per the RFC 2246, Section 9:
9. Mandatory Cipher Suites
In the absence of an application profile standard specifying
otherwise, a TLS compliant application MUST implement the cipher
suite TLS_DHE_DSS_WITH_3DES_EDE_CBC_SHA.
Another problem you might have is the with SecureTransports implementation of ECDHE_ECDSA_*. Its broken for some versions of OS X and iOS. See [openssl.org #3068] [PATCH] Safari broken ECDHE-ECDSA workaround and Apple are, apparently, dicks... from the OpenSSL developer mailing list.
keytool -genkey -keystore ./keystore_server -alias serverKey -dname "CN=localhost, OU=Jersey, O=Sun Microsystem, L=Prague, ST=Czech Republic, C=CZ"
A DNS in the Common Name is deprecated by both the IETF and CA/Browser forums. Instead, you should place DNS names in the Subject Alternate Name. Put a friendly name in the Common Name, like "Sun Microsystem".
Does anyone have any idea why it happened?
I don't think I've had a problem when the certificate has all the DNS names it needs in the right places. That includes the browsers and libraries like .Net, Cocoa, Java, Python, PERL, and Ruby.
I don't use keytool, but I think this post from Server Fault explains how to use it to generate a certifcate with DNS names in the SAN: Unable to generate certificate with Subject Alternate Name using Java 1.7 keytool utility.
I use OpenSSL to generate a self signed with DNS names in the SAN. To use OpenSSL and invoke the CONF file (the file example-com.conf is shown below):
$ openssl req -config example-com.conf -new -x509 -newkey rsa:2048 \
-nodes -keyout example-com.key.pem -days 365 -out example-com.cert.pem
# Self Signed (note the addition of -x509):
# openssl req -config example-com.conf -new -x509 -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout example-com.key.pem -days 365 -out example-com.cert.pem
# Signing Request (note the lack of -x509):
# openssl req -config example-com.conf -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout example-com.key.pem -days 365 -out example-com.cert.pem
# Print it:
# openssl x509 -in example-com.cert.pem -text -noout
# openssl req -in example-com.req.pem -text -noout
[ req ]
default_bits = 2048
default_keyfile = server-key.pem
distinguished_name = subject
req_extensions = req_ext
x509_extensions = x509_ext
string_mask = utf8only
# The Subject DN can be formed using X501 or RFC 4514 (see RFC 4519 for a description).
# Its sort of a mashup. For example, RFC 4514 does not provide emailAddress.
[ subject ]
countryName = Country Name (2 letter code)
countryName_default = US
stateOrProvinceName = State or Province Name (full name)
stateOrProvinceName_default = NY
localityName = Locality Name (eg, city)
localityName_default = New York
organizationName = Organization Name (eg, company)
organizationName_default = Example, LLC
# Use a friendly name here because its presented to the user. The server's DNS
# names are placed in Subject Alternate Names. Plus, DNS names here is deprecated
# by both IETF and CA/Browser Forums.
commonName = Common Name (e.g. server FQDN or YOUR name)
commonName_default = Example Company
emailAddress = Email Address
emailAddress_default = test#example.com
# Section x509_ext is used when generating a self-signed certifcate. I.e., openssl req -x509 ...
[ x509_ext ]
subjectKeyIdentifier = hash
authorityKeyIdentifier = keyid,issuer
basicConstraints = CA:FALSE
keyUsage = digitalSignature, keyEncipherment
subjectAltName = #alternate_names
nsComment = "OpenSSL Generated Certificate"
# RFC 5280, Section 4.2.1.12 makes EKU optional
# CA/Browser Baseline Requirements, Appendix (B)(3)(F) makes EKU madatory
# extendedKeyUsage = serverAuth
# Section req_ext is used when generating a certifcate signing request. I.e., openssl req ...
[ req_ext ]
subjectKeyIdentifier = hash
basicConstraints = CA:FALSE
keyUsage = digitalSignature, keyEncipherment
subjectAltName = #alternate_names
nsComment = "OpenSSL Generated Certificate"
# RFC 5280, Section 4.2.1.12 makes EKU optional
# CA/Browser Baseline Requirements, Appendix (B)(3)(F) makes EKU madatory
# extendedKeyUsage = serverAuth
[ alternate_names ]
DNS.1 = example.com
DNS.2 = www.example.com
DNS.3 = mail.example.com
DNS.4 = ftp.example.com
# Add these if you need them. But usually you don't want them or
# need them in production. You may need them for development.
# DNS.5 = localhost
# DNS.6 = localhost.localdomain
# DNS.7 = 127.0.0.1
# IPv6 localhost
# DNS.8 = ::1
# DNS.9 = fe80::1
During my search, I found several ways of signing a SSL Certificate Signing Request:
Using the x509 module:
openssl x509 -req -days 360 -in server.csr -CA ca.crt -CAkey ca.key -CAcreateserial -out server.crt
Using the ca module:
openssl ca -cert ca.crt -keyfile ca.key -in server.csr -out server.crt
Note: I am unsure of the use of the right parameters for this one. Please advise correct usage if I am to use it.
What way should one use to sign certificate requests with your Certification Authority?
Is one method better than the other (for example, one being deprecated)?
1. Using the x509 module
openssl x509 ...
...
2 Using the ca module
openssl ca ...
...
You are missing the prelude to those commands.
This is a two-step process. First you set up your CA, and then you sign an end entity certificate (a.k.a server or user). Both of the two commands elide the two steps into one. And both assume you have a an OpenSSL configuration file already setup for both CAs and Server (end entity) certificates.
First, create a basic configuration file:
$ touch openssl-ca.cnf
Then, add the following to it:
HOME = .
RANDFILE = $ENV::HOME/.rnd
####################################################################
[ ca ]
default_ca = CA_default # The default ca section
[ CA_default ]
default_days = 365 # How long to certify for
default_crl_days = 30 # How long before next CRL
default_md = sha256 # Use public key default MD
preserve = no # Keep passed DN ordering
x509_extensions = ca_extensions # The extensions to add to the cert
email_in_dn = no # Don't concat the email in the DN
copy_extensions = copy # Required to copy SANs from CSR to cert
####################################################################
[ req ]
default_bits = 4096
default_keyfile = cakey.pem
distinguished_name = ca_distinguished_name
x509_extensions = ca_extensions
string_mask = utf8only
####################################################################
[ ca_distinguished_name ]
countryName = Country Name (2 letter code)
countryName_default = US
stateOrProvinceName = State or Province Name (full name)
stateOrProvinceName_default = Maryland
localityName = Locality Name (eg, city)
localityName_default = Baltimore
organizationName = Organization Name (eg, company)
organizationName_default = Test CA, Limited
organizationalUnitName = Organizational Unit (eg, division)
organizationalUnitName_default = Server Research Department
commonName = Common Name (e.g. server FQDN or YOUR name)
commonName_default = Test CA
emailAddress = Email Address
emailAddress_default = test#example.com
####################################################################
[ ca_extensions ]
subjectKeyIdentifier = hash
authorityKeyIdentifier = keyid:always, issuer
basicConstraints = critical, CA:true
keyUsage = keyCertSign, cRLSign
The fields above are taken from a more complex openssl.cnf (you can find it in /usr/lib/openssl.cnf), but I think they are the essentials for creating the CA certificate and private key.
Tweak the fields above to suit your taste. The defaults save you the time from entering the same information while experimenting with configuration file and command options.
I omitted the CRL-relevant stuff, but your CA operations should have them. See openssl.cnf and the related crl_ext section.
Then, execute the following. The -nodes omits the password or passphrase so you can examine the certificate. It's a really bad idea to omit the password or passphrase.
$ openssl req -x509 -config openssl-ca.cnf -days 365 -newkey rsa:4096 -sha256 -nodes -out cacert.pem -outform PEM
After the command executes, cacert.pem will be your certificate for CA operations, and cakey.pem will be the private key. Recall the private key does not have a password or passphrase.
You can dump the certificate with the following.
$ openssl x509 -in cacert.pem -text -noout
Certificate:
Data:
Version: 3 (0x2)
Serial Number: 11485830970703032316 (0x9f65de69ceef2ffc)
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
Issuer: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, CN=Test CA/emailAddress=test#example.com
Validity
Not Before: Jan 24 14:24:11 2014 GMT
Not After : Feb 23 14:24:11 2014 GMT
Subject: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, CN=Test CA/emailAddress=test#example.com
Subject Public Key Info:
Public Key Algorithm: rsaEncryption
Public-Key: (4096 bit)
Modulus:
00:b1:7f:29:be:78:02:b8:56:54:2d:2c:ec:ff:6d:
...
39:f9:1e:52:cb:8e:bf:8b:9e:a6:93:e1:22:09:8b:
59:05:9f
Exponent: 65537 (0x10001)
X509v3 extensions:
X509v3 Subject Key Identifier:
4A:9A:F3:10:9E:D7:CF:54:79:DE:46:75:7A:B0:D0:C1:0F:CF:C1:8A
X509v3 Authority Key Identifier:
keyid:4A:9A:F3:10:9E:D7:CF:54:79:DE:46:75:7A:B0:D0:C1:0F:CF:C1:8A
X509v3 Basic Constraints: critical
CA:TRUE
X509v3 Key Usage:
Certificate Sign, CRL Sign
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
4a:6f:1f:ac:fd:fb:1e:a4:6d:08:eb:f5:af:f6:1e:48:a5:c7:
...
cd:c6:ac:30:f9:15:83:41:c1:d1:20:fa:85:e7:4f:35:8f:b5:
38:ff:fd:55:68:2c:3e:37
And test its purpose with the following (don't worry about the Any Purpose: Yes; see "critical,CA:FALSE" but "Any Purpose CA : Yes").
$ openssl x509 -purpose -in cacert.pem -inform PEM
Certificate purposes:
SSL client : No
SSL client CA : Yes
SSL server : No
SSL server CA : Yes
Netscape SSL server : No
Netscape SSL server CA : Yes
S/MIME signing : No
S/MIME signing CA : Yes
S/MIME encryption : No
S/MIME encryption CA : Yes
CRL signing : Yes
CRL signing CA : Yes
Any Purpose : Yes
Any Purpose CA : Yes
OCSP helper : Yes
OCSP helper CA : Yes
Time Stamp signing : No
Time Stamp signing CA : Yes
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
MIIFpTCCA42gAwIBAgIJAJ9l3mnO7y/8MA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBCwUAMGExCzAJBgNV
...
aQUtFrV4hpmJUaQZ7ySr/RjCb4KYkQpTkOtKJOU1Ic3GrDD5FYNBwdEg+oXnTzWP
tTj//VVoLD43
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
For part two, I'm going to create another configuration file that's easily digestible. First, touch the openssl-server.cnf (you can make one of these for user certificates also).
$ touch openssl-server.cnf
Then open it, and add the following.
HOME = .
RANDFILE = $ENV::HOME/.rnd
####################################################################
[ req ]
default_bits = 2048
default_keyfile = serverkey.pem
distinguished_name = server_distinguished_name
req_extensions = server_req_extensions
string_mask = utf8only
####################################################################
[ server_distinguished_name ]
countryName = Country Name (2 letter code)
countryName_default = US
stateOrProvinceName = State or Province Name (full name)
stateOrProvinceName_default = MD
localityName = Locality Name (eg, city)
localityName_default = Baltimore
organizationName = Organization Name (eg, company)
organizationName_default = Test Server, Limited
commonName = Common Name (e.g. server FQDN or YOUR name)
commonName_default = Test Server
emailAddress = Email Address
emailAddress_default = test#example.com
####################################################################
[ server_req_extensions ]
subjectKeyIdentifier = hash
basicConstraints = CA:FALSE
keyUsage = digitalSignature, keyEncipherment
subjectAltName = #alternate_names
nsComment = "OpenSSL Generated Certificate"
####################################################################
[ alternate_names ]
DNS.1 = example.com
DNS.2 = www.example.com
DNS.3 = mail.example.com
DNS.4 = ftp.example.com
If you are developing and need to use your workstation as a server, then you may need to do the following for Chrome. Otherwise Chrome may complain a Common Name is invalid (ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID). I'm not sure what the relationship is between an IP address in the SAN and a CN in this instance.
# IPv4 localhost
IP.1 = 127.0.0.1
# IPv6 localhost
IP.2 = ::1
Then, create the server certificate request. Be sure to omit -x509*. Adding -x509 will create a certificate, and not a request.
$ openssl req -config openssl-server.cnf -newkey rsa:2048 -sha256 -nodes -out servercert.csr -outform PEM
After this command executes, you will have a request in servercert.csr and a private key in serverkey.pem.
And you can inspect it again.
$ openssl req -text -noout -verify -in servercert.csr
Certificate:
verify OK
Certificate Request:
Version: 0 (0x0)
Subject: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, CN=Test Server/emailAddress=test#example.com
Subject Public Key Info:
Public Key Algorithm: rsaEncryption
Public-Key: (2048 bit)
Modulus:
00:ce:3d:58:7f:a0:59:92:aa:7c:a0:82:dc:c9:6d:
...
f9:5e:0c:ba:84:eb:27:0d:d9:e7:22:5d:fe:e5:51:
86:e1
Exponent: 65537 (0x10001)
Attributes:
Requested Extensions:
X509v3 Subject Key Identifier:
1F:09:EF:79:9A:73:36:C1:80:52:60:2D:03:53:C7:B6:BD:63:3B:61
X509v3 Basic Constraints:
CA:FALSE
X509v3 Key Usage:
Digital Signature, Key Encipherment
X509v3 Subject Alternative Name:
DNS:example.com, DNS:www.example.com, DNS:mail.example.com, DNS:ftp.example.com
Netscape Comment:
OpenSSL Generated Certificate
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
6d:e8:d3:85:b3:88:d4:1a:80:9e:67:0d:37:46:db:4d:9a:81:
...
76:6a:22:0a:41:45:1f:e2:d6:e4:8f:a1:ca:de:e5:69:98:88:
a9:63:d0:a7
Next, you have to sign it with your CA.
You are almost ready to sign the server's certificate by your CA. The CA's openssl-ca.cnf needs two more sections before issuing the command.
First, open openssl-ca.cnf and add the following two sections.
####################################################################
[ signing_policy ]
countryName = optional
stateOrProvinceName = optional
localityName = optional
organizationName = optional
organizationalUnitName = optional
commonName = supplied
emailAddress = optional
####################################################################
[ signing_req ]
subjectKeyIdentifier = hash
authorityKeyIdentifier = keyid,issuer
basicConstraints = CA:FALSE
keyUsage = digitalSignature, keyEncipherment
Second, add the following to the [ CA_default ] section of openssl-ca.cnf. I left them out earlier, because they can complicate things (they were unused at the time). Now you'll see how they are used, so hopefully they will make sense.
base_dir = .
certificate = $base_dir/cacert.pem # The CA certifcate
private_key = $base_dir/cakey.pem # The CA private key
new_certs_dir = $base_dir # Location for new certs after signing
database = $base_dir/index.txt # Database index file
serial = $base_dir/serial.txt # The current serial number
unique_subject = no # Set to 'no' to allow creation of
# several certificates with same subject.
Third, touch index.txt and serial.txt:
$ touch index.txt
$ echo '01' > serial.txt
Then, perform the following:
$ openssl ca -config openssl-ca.cnf -policy signing_policy -extensions signing_req -out servercert.pem -infiles servercert.csr
You should see similar to the following:
Using configuration from openssl-ca.cnf
Check that the request matches the signature
Signature ok
The Subject's Distinguished Name is as follows
countryName :PRINTABLE:'US'
stateOrProvinceName :ASN.1 12:'MD'
localityName :ASN.1 12:'Baltimore'
commonName :ASN.1 12:'Test CA'
emailAddress :IA5STRING:'test#example.com'
Certificate is to be certified until Oct 20 16:12:39 2016 GMT (1000 days)
Sign the certificate? [y/n]:Y
1 out of 1 certificate requests certified, commit? [y/n]Y
Write out database with 1 new entries
Data Base Updated
After the command executes, you will have a freshly minted server certificate in servercert.pem. The private key was created earlier and is available in serverkey.pem.
Finally, you can inspect your freshly minted certificate with the following:
$ openssl x509 -in servercert.pem -text -noout
Certificate:
Data:
Version: 3 (0x2)
Serial Number: 9 (0x9)
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
Issuer: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, CN=Test CA/emailAddress=test#example.com
Validity
Not Before: Jan 24 19:07:36 2014 GMT
Not After : Oct 20 19:07:36 2016 GMT
Subject: C=US, ST=MD, L=Baltimore, CN=Test Server
Subject Public Key Info:
Public Key Algorithm: rsaEncryption
Public-Key: (2048 bit)
Modulus:
00:ce:3d:58:7f:a0:59:92:aa:7c:a0:82:dc:c9:6d:
...
f9:5e:0c:ba:84:eb:27:0d:d9:e7:22:5d:fe:e5:51:
86:e1
Exponent: 65537 (0x10001)
X509v3 extensions:
X509v3 Subject Key Identifier:
1F:09:EF:79:9A:73:36:C1:80:52:60:2D:03:53:C7:B6:BD:63:3B:61
X509v3 Authority Key Identifier:
keyid:42:15:F2:CA:9C:B1:BB:F5:4C:2C:66:27:DA:6D:2E:5F:BA:0F:C5:9E
X509v3 Basic Constraints:
CA:FALSE
X509v3 Key Usage:
Digital Signature, Key Encipherment
X509v3 Subject Alternative Name:
DNS:example.com, DNS:www.example.com, DNS:mail.example.com, DNS:ftp.example.com
Netscape Comment:
OpenSSL Generated Certificate
Signature Algorithm: sha256WithRSAEncryption
b1:40:f6:34:f4:38:c8:57:d4:b6:08:f7:e2:71:12:6b:0e:4a:
...
45:71:06:a9:86:b6:0f:6d:8d:e1:c5:97:8d:fd:59:43:e9:3c:
56:a5:eb:c8:7e:9f:6b:7a
Earlier, you added the following to CA_default: copy_extensions = copy. This copies extension provided by the person making the request.
If you omit copy_extensions = copy, then your server certificate will lack the Subject Alternate Names (SANs) like www.example.com and mail.example.com.
If you use copy_extensions = copy, but don't look over the request, then the requester might be able to trick you into signing something like a subordinate root (rather than a server or user certificate). Which means he/she will be able to mint certificates that chain back to your trusted root. Be sure to verify the request with openssl req -verify before signing.
If you omit unique_subject or set it to yes, then you will only be allowed to create one certificate under the subject's distinguished name.
unique_subject = yes # Set to 'no' to allow creation of
# several ctificates with same subject.
Trying to create a second certificate while experimenting will result in the following when signing your server's certificate with the CA's private key:
Sign the certificate? [y/n]:Y
failed to update database
TXT_DB error number 2
So unique_subject = no is perfect for testing.
If you want to ensure the Organizational Name is consistent between self-signed CAs, Subordinate CA and End-Entity certificates, then add the following to your CA configuration files:
[ policy_match ]
organizationName = match
If you want to allow the Organizational Name to change, then use:
[ policy_match ]
organizationName = supplied
There are other rules concerning the handling of DNS names in X.509/PKIX certificates. Refer to these documents for the rules:
RFC 5280, Internet X.509 Public Key Infrastructure Certificate and Certificate Revocation List (CRL) Profile
RFC 6125, Representation and Verification of Domain-Based Application Service Identity within Internet Public Key Infrastructure Using X.509 (PKIX) Certificates in the Context of Transport Layer Security (TLS)
RFC 6797, Appendix A, HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)
RFC 7469, Public Key Pinning Extension for HTTP
CA/Browser Forum Baseline Requirements
CA/Browser Forum Extended Validation Guidelines
RFC 6797 and RFC 7469 are listed, because they are more restrictive than the other RFCs and CA/B documents. RFC's 6797 and 7469 do not allow an IP address, either.
In addition to answer of #jww, I would like to say that the configuration in openssl-ca.cnf,
default_days = 1000 # How long to certify for
defines the default number of days the certificate signed by this root-ca will be valid. To set the validity of root-ca itself you should use '-days n' option in:
openssl req -x509 -days 3000 -config openssl-ca.cnf -newkey rsa:4096 -sha256 -nodes -out cacert.pem -outform PEM
Failing to do so, your root-ca will be valid for only the default one month and any certificate signed by this root CA will also have validity of one month.
Sometimes, such as for testing, you just want a simplistic means of generating a signed certificate, without setting up a full-blown CA configuration. This is possible using just the openssl req and openssl x509 commands. You would never use this method for production certificates, but since it is useful for some non-production situations, here are the commands.
Generate a self-signed signing certificate
First, create a self-signed certificate that will be used as the root of trust:
openssl req -x509 -days 365 -key ca_private_key.pem -out ca_cert.pem
Or equivalently, if you want to generate a private key and a self-signed certificate in a single command:
openssl req -x509 -days 365 -newkey rsa:4096 -keyout ca_private_key.pem -out ca_cert.pem
Generate a certificate request
Next, create a certificate request for the certificate to be signed:
openssl req -new -key my_private_key.pem -out my_cert_req.pem
Again, you may generate the private key and the request simultaneously, if needed:
openssl req -new -newkey rsa:4096 -keyout my_private_key.pem -out my_cert_req.pem
Generate a signed certificate
Finally, use the self-signed signing certificate to generate a signed certificate from the certificate request:
openssl x509 -req -in my_cert_req.pem -days 365 -CA ca_cert.pem -CAkey ca_private_key.pem -CAcreateserial -out my_signed_cert.pem
I've found a convenient script sscg for this task - https://github.com/sgallagher/sscg
Here is an example for Fedora linux:
Installation:
sudo yum install sscg
Example:
sscg \
--ca-key-password-prompt \
--lifetime=3650 \
--country=XX \
--state=myState \
--locality=myCity \
--organization=myOrg \
--organizational-unit=myUnit \
--email=myemail#example.com \
--hostname=foo.example.com \
--subject-alt-name=*.example.com \
--ca-key-file=CA.key \
--ca-file=CA.pem \
--cert-key-file=foo.example.com.key \
--cert-file=foo.example.com.pem
When using OpenSSL utils for signing .csr request, its possible to use "openssl ca" util and "openssl x509" util.
Openssl ca's text config file has all needed x509 options like keyUsage, extendedKeyUsage.
Openssl x509's command line has options -addtrust and -addreject. When you sign a certificate with those options, you can see them later in "openssl x509 -text" output, something like:
user#inet-pc:~$ openssl x509 -req -in test.csr -CA ca.crt -CAkey ca.key -set_serial 1 -out test.crt -setalias "zzzz test alias" -addtrust emailProtection -addreject serverAuth
^ signing test.csr using own CA key and cert
user#inet-pc:~$ openssl x509 -text -in test.crt -nooutCertificate:
Data:
Version: 1 (0x0)
Serial Number: 1 (0x1)
Signature Algorithm: sha1WithRSAEncryption
Issuer: C=RU, ST=Some-State, O=Internet Widgits Pty Ltd, OU=sdds, CN=ca
Validity
Not Before: Apr 23 06:24:58 2013 GMT
Not After : May 23 06:24:58 2013 GMT
Subject: C=AU, ST=Some-State, O=Internet Widgits Pty Ltd, CN=test
Subject Public Key Info:
Public Key Algorithm: rsaEncryption
RSA Public Key: (2048 bit)
Modulus (2048 bit):
(huge text here)
Exponent: 65537 (0x10001)
Signature Algorithm: sha1WithRSAEncryption
(huge text here)
Trusted Uses:
E-mail Protection
Rejected Uses:
TLS Web Server Authentication
Alias: zzzz test alias
^ Trusted and Rejected uses. What are those uses for and how do they work? Why I cannot find any mention of them in X509 RFC5280? How to use "openssl ca" to add same trusted/rejected uses? What about "clientAuth" usage? It isnt listed in "trusted" or "rejected" - will this certificate be trusted by most common applications?
Update 1: OpenSSL's x509 manual says that "trust" settings are valid for OpenSSL's "verify" util, but what is that util for? Can invalid "trust" settings cause verification fail by usual http browsers/etc?
You need to look at the section 4.2.1.12 "Extended Key Usage" of the rfc5280 :
https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5280#section-4.2.1.12
Edit:
You are right, I am afraid I read your question too quickly. The trust settings are an OpenSSL auxiliary information, which as far as I know is stil experimental. See :
https://www.openssl.org/docs/apps/x509.html#TRUST_SETTINGS
Again, I am sorry for my previous answer.