NAME

spkac − SPKAC printing and generating utility

SYNOPSIS

openssl spkac [−infilename] [−outfilename] [−keykeyfile] [−passinarg] [−challengestring] [−pubkey] [−spkacspkacname] [−spksectsection] [−noout] [−verify]

OPTIONS

−in filename
Specifies the input filename to read from or standard input if this option is not specified. Ignored if the −key option is used. 

−out filename
Specifies the output filename 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
The input file password source. For more information about the format of arg, see the Pass Phrase Arguments section in openssl(1ssl). 

−challenge string
Specifies the challenge string if an SPKAC is being created.

−spkac spkacname
Allows an alternative name from the variable containing the SPKAC. The default is SPKAC. This option affects both generated and input SPKAC files.

−spksect section
Allows an alternative name from the section containing the SPKAC. The default is the default section.

−nooutDoes 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).

−verifyVerifies the digital signature on the supplied SPKAC. 

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. 

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. 

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=

SEE ALSO

Commands: ca(1ssl)