openssl spkac

SPKAC printing and generating utility 

openssl command

SYNOPSIS

openssl spkac [-in filename] [-out filename] [-key keyfile] [-passin arg] [-challenge string] [-pubkey] [-spkac spkacname] [-spksect section] [-noout] [-verify]

DESCRIPTION

The spkac command processes Netscape signed public key and challenge (SPKAC) files. It can print out their contents, verify the signature and produce its own SPKACs from a supplied private key.

Options

-in filename 

specifies the input file name to read from or standard input if this option is not specified. Ignored if the -key option is used.

-out filename 

specifies the output file name to write to or standard output by default.

-key keyfile 

creates an SPKAC file using the private key in keyfile. The -in, -noout, -spksect, and -verify options are ignored if present.

-passin password 

specifies the input file password source. For more information about the format of arg see the PASS PHRASE ARGUMENTS section in the openssl reference page.

-challenge string 

specifies the challenge string if an SPKAC is being created.

-spkac spkacname 

allows an alternative name form the variable containing the SPKAC. The default is "SPKAC". This option affects both generated and input SPKAC files.

-spksect section 

allows an alternative name form the section containing the SPKAC. The default is the default section.

-noout 

does not output the text version of the SPKAC (not used if an SPKAC is being created).

-pubkey 

outputs the public key of an SPKAC (not used if an SPKAC is being created).

-verify 

verifies the digital signature on the supplied SPKAC.

EXAMPLES

Print out the contents of an SPKAC: 

openssl spkac -in spkac.cnf

Verify the signature of an SPKAC: 

openssl spkac -in spkac.cnf -noout -verify

Create an SPKAC using the challenge string "hello": 

openssl spkac -key key.pem -challenge hello -out spkac.cnf

Example of an SPKAC, (long lines split up for clarity): 

SPKAC=MIG5MGUwXDANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAANLADBIAkEA1cCoq2Wa3Ixs47uI7F\
PVwHVIPDx5yso105Y6zpozam135a8R0CpoRvkkigIyXfcCjiVi5oWk+6FfPaD03u\
PFoQIDAQABFgVoZWxsbzANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQQFAANBAFpQtY/FojdwkJh1bEIYuc\
2EeM2KHTWPEepWYeawvHD0gQ3DngSC75YCWnnDdq+NQ3F+X4deMx9AaEglZtULwV\
4=

NOTES

A created SPKAC with suitable DN components appended can be fed into the ca utility.

SPKACs are typically generated by Netscape when a form is submitted containing the KEYGEN tag as part of the certificate enrollment process.

The challenge string permits a primitive form of proof of possession of private key. By checking the SPKAC signature and a random challenge string some guarantee is given that the user knows the private key corresponding to the public key being certified. This is important in some applications. Without this it is possible for a previous SPKAC to be used in a "replay attack".

AVAILABILITY

MKS Toolkit for System Administrators
MKS Toolkit for Developers
MKS Toolkit for Interoperability
MKS Toolkit for Professional Developers
MKS Toolkit for Enterprise Developers
MKS Toolkit for Enterprise Developers 64-Bit Edition
MKS AlertCentre

SEE ALSO

Commands:
openssl ca