Building a Secure RedHat Apache Server HOWTO
Richard Sigle, Richard.sigle@equifax.com
0.1, 2001-02-06
The guide is designed to explain how PKI and SSL work together. It is
essential to understand how the SSL protocol works to successfully
deploy a secure server.
______________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
1. Purpose/Scope of this Guide
1.1 About Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
1.2 FeedBack
1.3 Copyrights and Trademarks
1.4 Acknowledgements and Thanks
2. Introduction to Secure Sockets Layer/Private Key Infrastructure
2.1 Responsibilities of SSL/PKI
2.2 How SSL Works
2.2.1 SSL Handshake Protocol
2.2.2 Session Key(Symmetric Code)
2.2.3 Public/Private Key Pair(Asymmetric Code)
2.3 How PKI Works
2.4 Certificates(x509 Standard)
2.5 Digital Certificate Private Key
2.6 Digital Certificate Public Key
2.7 Certificate Signing Request(CSR)
3. Working with Certificates
3.1 Create a Private Key
3.2 Create a Certificate Signing Request
3.3 Creating a Self-Signed Certificate
3.4 Installing your Web Server Certificate
4. Configuring your Apache Server
4.1 Define a Secure Virtual Host
4.1.1 SSL Engine
4.1.2 SSLCertificateFile
4.1.3 SSLCertificateKeyFile
4.1.4 SSLCACertificateFile
4.2 Certificate Examples
4.2.1 Server Certificate File
4.2.2 Contents of the Certificate File
4.2.3 Private Key File
4.2.4 Contents of the Private Key
4.3 Restart the Web Server
5. Troubleshooting
5.1 Server Appears to start, but you cannot access the secure site
5.2 Certificate Name Check Warning is issued by the client's browser
5.3 Certificate was Signed by an Untrusted Certificate Authority Warning is issued by the client's browser
5.4 SSLEngine on is an un-recognized command (when starting Apache)
5.5 You have forgotten your "PEM Passphrase" and you would like to know how to reset it
6. Glossary
______________________________________________________________________
1. Purpose/Scope of this Guide
The purpose of this guide is to assist RedHat Linux users with the
installation of server (SSL) certificates using the Apache web server.
The goal is to provide a clear procedure that will save time and, in
many cases, money!
First, I will cover what you need to know about the SSL protocol and
digital certificates. In my experience, building an Apache web server
with ModSSL and OpenSSL is the most beneficial software combination.
OpenSSL is a general-purpose cryptography library that supports the
SSL v2/v3 and TLS v1 protocols. ModSSL is an Apache API module
designed to act as an interface between Apache and OpenSSL. The
biggest advantage is that all three packages are free.
Then, beginning with Section 4, I will go through the step-by-step
procedures for generating keys and installing certificates on a
RedHat-Apache server compiled with ModSSL and OpenSSL. The procedures
in Section 4 will also work with commercial SSL-server packages such
as Stronghold and Raven that are closely related to Apache.
Disclaimer: I am a technical support engineer for Equifax Secure
Inc., a Certificate Authority. Therefore, I use Equifax Secure
certificates and examples geared towards installing Equifax Secure
certificates. However, the instructions will also work with
certificates issued by other Certificate Authorities. Since this
document was written at my own initiative, Equifax Secure Inc. is
neither liable nor accountable for any consequences resulting from the
use of these procedures.
My comments to the reader is in this style (emphasized).
Example lines are in plain roman style.
Note that extra comments and advice is found in comments within the
SGML source.
1.1. About Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
SSL is a presentation layer service, located between the TCP and the
application layer. It is platform and application independent. SSL
is responsible for the management of a secure communications channel
between the client and server. SSL provides a strong mechanism for
encrypting data transferred between a client and a server.
1.2. FeedBack
Comments on this guide may be directed to the author
(richard.sigle@equifax.com).
1.3. Copyrights and Trademarks
Copyright (c) 2001 by Richard L. Sigle
Please freely copy and distribute this document in any format. It's
requested that corrections and/or comments be forwarded to the
document maintainer. You may create a derivative work and distribute
it provided that you:
· Send your derivative work (in the most suitable format such as
sgml) to the LDP <http://www.LinuxDoc.org/> (Linux Documentation
Project) or the like for posting on the Internet. If not the LDP,
then let the LDP know where it is available.
· License the derivative work with this same license or use GPL.
Include a copyright notice and at least a pointer to the license
used.
· Give due credit to previous authors and major contributors.
If you're considering making a derived work other than a translation,
it's requested that you discuss your plans with the current
maintainer.
1.4. Acknowledgements and Thanks
I would like to thank Tony Villasenor for tirelessly reading my drafts
and offering his input and advice. Without Tony, this document would
never have been finished.
2. Introduction to Secure Sockets Layer/Private Key Infrastructure
PKI is an asymmetric key system which consists of a public key (which
is sent to clients) and a private key (stays local on the server).
PKI differs from a symmetric key system in which both the client and
server use the same key for encryption/decryption.
2.1. Responsibilities of SSL/PKI
SSL sets out to fulfill requirements that make it acceptable for use
in the transmission of even the most sensitive of transactions, such
as credit card information, medical records, legal documents, and e-
commerce applications. Each application can choose to utilize some or
all of the following criteria depending on the sensitivity and value
of the transactions it will be processing.
Privacy
Let's say that a message is to be coded for transmission from A
to B. A uses B's public key to encrypt the message. In this way
B will be the only person who can decode and read this message
using his private key. We cannot however be sure that A is the
person who he claims to be.
Authenticity
In order to be sure that A is the person who he claims to be, we
want guaranteed authenticity. This requires a slightly more
complex coding process. In this case, A's message to B is first
encrypted with A's private key and then with B's public key. B
now has to decrypt it first with his private key and then with
A's public key. Now B can be sure that A is who he claims to be
as nobody else could create a message encrypted with his private
key. SSL achieves this with the use of certificates (PKI). A
certificate is issued by a neutral third party - such as a
certificate authority (CA) - and includes a digital signature
and/or a time stamp in addition to the public key of the
certified party. A self-signed digital certificate can be
created by anyone with the correct SSL tools, but self-signed
certificates lack the weight of validation performed by a
mutually respected neutral third party.
integrity
In SSL, integrity is guaranteed by using a MAC (Message
Authentication Code) with the necessary hash table functions.
Upon generation of a message, the MAC is obtained by applying a
hash function and the result is then added to the message.
After the message has been received, validity is then checked by
comparing the message's embedded MAC with a new MAC computed
from the received message. This would immediately reveal
messages that have been altered by a third party.
Non-Repudiation
Non-repudiation protects both parties from each other during
online transactions. It prevents one or the other from saying
that they did not send a particular piece of information. Non-
repudiation does not allow either party to alter the transaction
after it has been made. Digital non-repudiation is the
equivalent of signing a contract, in the traditional sense.
2.2. How SSL Works
The SSL protocol includes two sub-protocols: the SSL record protocol
and the SSL handshake protocol. The SSL record protocol defines the
format used to transmit data. The SSL handshake protocol involves
using the SSL record protocol to exchange a series of messages between
an SSL-enabled server and an SSL-enabled client when they first
establish an SSL connection. This exchange of messages is designed to
facilitate the following actions:
· Authenticate the server to the client. The server certificate is
signed by a Certificate Authority to insure that it is not
corrupted and establishes a chain of trust.
· Allow the client and server to select the cryptographic algorithms,
or ciphers, that they both support.
· Optionally authenticate the client to the server.
· Use public-key encryption techniques to generate shared secrets.
· Establish an encrypted SSL connection.
2.2.1. SSL Handshake Protocol
The Handshake Protocol is used to co-ordinate the state of the client
and the server. During the handshake, the following events take place:
· Certificates are exchanged between the client and server
(asymmetric keys). The server sends its public key to the client.
If the server is set to verify client authentication via a
certificate, the client sends its public key to the server. The
validity dates on the certificates are verified and they are
checked for the digital signature of a trusted certificate
authority. If the validity date and/or digital signature are not
correct, the browser will issue a warning to the user. The user is
then given the option to trust the certificate holder.
· The client then generates a random key (symmetric key). These will
be used for encryption and for calculating MACs. They are encrypted
using the server's public key and sent to the server. Only the
server has the ability to decrypt the new random key. The new
symmetric key is used for encrypting the data that is sent between
client and server.
Note: The use of a symmetric key after server-browser
authentication greatly enhances subsequent throughput performance.
· A message encryption algorithm and a hash function for integrity
are negotiated. This negotiation process could be carried out such
that the client presents a list of supported algorithms to the
server, which, in turn, selects the strongest cipher available to
both of them. Identifiers for the chosen encryption algorithm and
hash function are stored in the cipher spec field of the current
state for use by the record protocol.
· All of the following fields are set during handshaking: Protocol
Version, Session ID, Cipher Suite, Compression Method and two
random values ClientHello.random and ServerHello.random.
Note: An IP address is required for each SSL connection. Name based
virtual hosts are resolved during the application layer. Remember
Secure Sockets Layer resides below the application layer.
2.2.2. Session Key(Symmetric Code)
· 40-bit, originally used only for export purposes
· 56-bit, used by DES
· 64-bit key - used by CAST, 256 times stronger than 56-bit
· 80-bit key - used by CAST, 16 million times stronger than 56-bit
(infeasible to break with current technology)
· 128-bit key - used by CAST or RC2, exhaustive key search impossible
now and for the foreseeable future
2.2.3. Public/Private Key Pair(Asymmetric Code)
· 512-bit
· 768-bit
· 1024-bit
· 2048-bit
2.3. How PKI Works
The client and the server each have a public key and a private key
(the client's browser randomly creates a key pair for the SSL session,
unless, a client certificate is held by the client and requested by
the server).
The sender uses their private key to encrypt a message. This act
authenticates the source of the message. The resulting cipher is
encrypted once more with the receiving party's public key. This
action provides confidentiality because only the receiving party is
able to do the initial decryption of the message using their private
key. The receiver uses the sender's public key to further decrypt the
encrypted message. Because only the sender has access to their private
key, the receiver is assured that the encrypted message originated
from the sender.
A message digest is used to verify that neither party or a third party
has tampered with or changed the message in any way. A message digest
is obtained by applying a hash function (part of the private key known
as the fingerprint) to the message. The digest (which is now known as
the signature) is attached or appended to the message. The
signature's length is constant (no matter how large the file is) and
depends on what type of message digest the private key contains (md5 -
128 bit, sha1 - 160 bit, etc). Changing even one bit in the message
will change the length of the signature and thus prove that the
message has been tampered with.
2.4. Certificates(x509 Standard)
Digital certificates make it possible to trust an entity on the
Internet. A digital certificate contains the user's credentials,
which have been verified by a neutral third-party certificate
authority.
A mathematical algorithm and a value (key) are used to encrypt data
into an unreadable form. A second key is used to decrypt the data,
using a complementary algorithm and a related value. The two keys
must contain a related value and are known as a key pair.
Note: ITU-T Recommendation X.509 [CCI88c] specifies the
authentication service for X.500 directories, as well as the X.509
certificate syntax. The certificate is signed by the issuer to
authenticate the binding between the subject (user's) name and the
user's public key. SSLv3 was adopted in 1994. The major difference
between versions 2 and 3 is the addition of the extensions field. This
field grants more flexibility as it can convey additional information
beyond just the key and name binding. Standard extensions include
subject and issuer attributes, certification policy information, and
key usage restrictions.
An X.509 certificate consists of the following fields:
· Version
· serial number
· signature algorithm ID
· issuer name
· validity period
· subject (user) name
· subject public key information
· issuer unique identifier (version 2 and 3 only)
· subject unique identifier (version 2 and 3 only)
· extensions (version 3 only)
· signature on the above fields
2.5. Digital Certificate Private Key
The private key is not embedded within a digital certificate. The
private key does not include any server information. It contains
encryption information and a fingerprint. It is generated locally on
your system and should remain in a secure environment. If the private
key is compromised, a perpetrator essentially has the code to your
security system. The transmissions between client and server can be
intercepted and decrypted. This type of vulnerability is why it is
recommended to create a private key that is encrypted using triple DES
technology. The file is then encrypted and password protected making
it all but impossible to use without the correct pass phrase.
The security of a transaction is dependent on its private key. Should
this key fall into the wrong hands then anyone can easily duplicate it
and use it to compromise security. A compromised key could lead to
messages meant for the server to be intercepted and manipulated by
unscrupulous hackers. A fully secure system must be able to detect
impostors and prevent the duplication of keys.
2.6. Digital Certificate Public Key
The public key is embedded in a digital certificate, which is sent by
the server to a client when a secure connection is requested. This
process identifies the server using the certificate. The public key
validates the integrity, authenticity, and is also used to encrypt
data to create a private data transmission.
2.7. Certificate Signing Request(CSR)
A CSR contains the information required by a certificate authority to
create the certificate. The CSR contains an encrypted version of the
private key's complimentary algorithm, common value, and information
that identifies the server. This information includes, but is not
limited to, country, state, organization, common name (domain name),
and contact information.
3. Working with Certificates
The following section covers the steps involved in creating the
private key file, certificate signing request, and a self-signed
certificate. If you plan to obtain a certificate signed by a
certificate authority, you will need to create a certificate signing
request (CSR). Otherwise, you can create a self-signed certificate.
3.1. Create a Private Key
To create a private key, you must have the OpenSSL toolkit installed
and configured with Apache. The following examples use the OpenSSL
command line tool which is located in the /usr/local/ssl/bin directory
by default. The examples assume that the directory containing the
OpenSSL command line tool has been added to the $PATH.
To create a private key using the triple des encryption standard
(recommended), use the following command:
openssl genrsa -des3 -out filename.key 1024
You will be prompted to enter and re-enter a pass phrase. If you
choose to use triple des encryption, you will be prompted for the
password each time you start the SSL server from a cold start. (When
using the restart command, you will not be prompted for the password).
Some of you may find this password prompt to be a nuisance, especially
if you need to boot the system during off-hours. Or, you may believe
that your system is already sufficiently secure. So, if you choose
not to have a password prompt (hence no triple des encryption), use
the command below. If you would rather create just a 512-bit key,
then omit the 1024 at the end of the command and OpenSSL will default
to 512 bits. Using the smaller key is slightly faster, but it is also
less secure.
To create a private key without triple des encryption, use the
following command:
openssl genrsa -out filename.key 1024
To add a password to an existing private key, use the following
command:
openssl -in filename.key -des3 -out newfilename.key
To remove a password from an existing private key, use the following
command:
openssl -in filename.key -out newfilename.key
Note: Your private key will be created in the current directory
unless otherwise specified. There are 3 easy ways to deal with this.
If OpenSSL is in your path, you can run it from the directory that you
have designated to store your key files in (default is
/etc/httpd/conf/ssl.key if you installed Apache using the RPM or
/usr/local/apache/conf/ssl.key if you installed Apache using the
source files). Another solution is to copy the files from the
directory where they were created to the correct directory. And, last
but not least, you can specify the path when running the command (eg.
openssl genrsa -out /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.key/filename.key 1024).
Doesn't matter how you do it as long as it gets done before you
proceed.
For more information on the OpenSSL toolkit check out: OpenSSL Website
<http://www.openssl.org/>.
3.2. Create a Certificate Signing Request
To obtain a certificate signed by a certificate authority, you will
need to create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR). The purpose is to
send the certificate authority enough information to create the
certificate without sending the entire private key or compromising any
sensitive information. The CSR also contains the information that
will be included in the certificate, such as, domain name, locality
information, etc.
· Locate the private key that you would like to creat a CSR from.
Enter the following command:
openssl req -new -key filename.key -out filename.csr
· You will be prompted for Locality information, common name (domain
name), organizational information, etc. Check with the CA that you
are applying to for information on required fields and invalid
entries.
· Send the CSR to the CA per their instructions.
· Wait for your new certificate and/or create a self-signed
certificate. A self-signed certificate can be used until you
receive your certificate from the certificate authority.
Note: Use the following command to create a private key and request at
the same time.
openssl genrsa -des3 -out filename.key 1024
3.3. Creating a Self-Signed Certificate
It is not necessary to create a self-signed certificate if you are
obtaining a CA-signed certificate. However, creating a self-signed
certificate is very simple. All you need is a private key and the
name of the server (fully qualified domain name) that you want to
secure. You will be prompted for information such as locality
information, common name (domain name), organizational information,
etc. OpenSSL gives you a great deal of freedom here. The only
required field for the certificate to function correctly is the common
name (domain name) field. If this is not present or incorrect, you
will receive a Certificate Name Check warning from your browser.
To create a self-signed certificate:
openssl req -new -key filename.key -x509 -out filename.crt
3.4. Installing your Web Server Certificate
If you followed these instructions so far you shouldn't have any
problems at this point. If you sent your CSR to a certificate
authority and you have not gotten your certificate back yet, you can
take a break now! If you are using a self-signed certificate, or you
have received your certificate, you may continue.
· Ensure that the private key file is in the directory that you have
chosen to use. The following examples will be based on the RedHat
RPM installation default of /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.key.
· Ensure that the CA-signed or self-signed certificate is in its
designated location. Again, I will be using the RPM default of
/etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt. If it is not there already, put it there.
· If there is an intermediate (root) certificate to be installed,
copy it to the /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt directory, also.
· Now, you will be required to edit the httpd.conf file. Make a
back-up of this file before you proceed to the next step,
``Configuring your Apache Server''.
4. Configuring your Apache Server
The Apache server must be configured with supplementary API modules in
order to support SSL. There are many SSL software packages available.
My examples are based on Apache configured with ModSSL and OpenSSL.
There are countless mailing lists and newsgroups available to support
these products. You may find these instructions helpful for some
commercial SSL software packages that are based on the Apache web
server.
A few things to keep in mind: You can have multiple virtual hosts on
the same server. You can have numerous name-based virtual hosts on
the same IP address. You can also have numerous name-based virtual
hosts and one (1) secure virtual host on the same IP. But - you
cannot have multiple secure virtual hosts on the same IP. The
question that so many ask: Why? The answer is: SSL works below the
application layer. Name based hosts are not defined until the
application layer.
Specifically, you cannot have multiple secure virtual hosts on the
same SOCKET (IP address + port). By default, a secure host will use
port 443. You can change configure your virtual host to use a
different port number with the same IP, thus creating another socket.
There are many disadvantages to this approach. The most obvious
disadvantage is that if you are not using the default port, your URL
must also contain the port number to access the secure site.
Example:
· Site using default port - www.something.com - would be accessed as
https://www.something.com
· A site using port 8888 would be accessed as
https://www.something.com:8888
Another disadvantage is that if you introduce more ports, you will be
providing more opportunities for port sniffing hackers. Last, if you
select a port that is used by something else, you will create conflict
problem.
4.1. Define a Secure Virtual Host
Setting up virtual hosts is fairly straightforward. I will go through
the basics of setting up a secure virtual host.
In these examples, I use the .crt and .key file extensions. That is
my personal way of avoiding confusion with the various files. With
Apache, you can use any extension you choose - or no extension at all.
All of your secure virtual hosts should be contained within <IfDefine
SSL> and </IfDefine SSL>, usually located towards the end of the
httpd.conf file.
An example of a secure virtual host:
<VirtualHost 172.18.116.42:443>
DocumentRoot /etc/httpd/htdocs
ServerName www.somewhere.com
ServerAdmin someone@somewhere.com
ErrorLog /etc/httpd/logs/error_log
TransferLog /etc/httpd/logs/access_log
SSLEngine on
SSLCertificateFile /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt/server.crt
SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.key/server.key
SSLCACertificateFile /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt/ca-bundle.crt
<Files ~ "\.(cgi|shtml)$">
SSLOptions +StdEnvVars
</Files>
<Directory "/etc/httpd/cgi-bin">
SSLOptions +StdEnvVars
</Directory>
SetEnvIf User-Agent ".*MSIE.*" nokeepalive ssl-unclean-shutdown
CustomLog /etc/httpd/logs/ssl_request_log \
"%t %h %{SSL_PROTOCOL}x %{SSL_CIPHER}x \"%r\" %b"
</VirtualHost>
The directives that are the most important for SSL are the SSLEngine
on, SSLCertificateFile, SSLCertificateKeyFile, and in many cases
SSLCACertificateFile directives.
4.1.1. SSL Engine
"SSLEngine on" - this is ModSSL's command to start SSL.
4.1.2. SSLCertificateFile
SSLCertificateFile Tells Apache where to find the certificate file and
what it is named. The example above shows "server.crt" as the
certificate file name. This is the default that is added when you
configure ModSSL with Apache. I personally don't recommend using the
default names. Save yourself some frustration and name your
certificates as servername.crt (domainname.crt). You may also decide
to use an alternative directory than the default
/etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt or /usr/local/apache/conf/ssl.crt. Just
remember to make the necessary changes to the path.
4.1.3. SSLCertificateKeyFile
SSLCertificateKeyFile tells Apache the name of the private key and
where to find it. The directory defined here should have read/write
permissions for root only. No one else should have access to this
directory.
4.1.4. SSLCACertificateFile
The SSLCACertificateFile directive tells Apache where to find the
Intermediate (root) certificate. This directive may or may not be
necessary depending on the CA that you are using. This certificate is
essentially a ring of trust.
Intermediate Certificate - A Certificate Authority obtains a
certificate in much the same way as you. This is known as an
intermediate certificate. It basically says that the holder of the
intermediate certificate is whom they say they are and is authorized
to issue certificates to customers. Web browsers have a list of
"trusted" certificate authorities that is updated with each release.
If a Certificate authority is fairly new, its intermediate certificate
may not be in the browser's list of trusted CA's. Combine this with
the fact that most people don't update their browsers very often; it
could take years before a CA is recognized as trusted automatically.
The solution is to install the intermediate certificate on the server
using the SSLCACertificateFile directive. Usually, a "trusted" CA
issues the intermediate certificate. If it is not, then you may need
to use the SSLCertificateChainFile directive, although this is
unlikely.
4.2. Certificate Examples
4.2.1. Server Certificate File
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----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-----END CERTIFICATE-----
4.2.2. Contents of the Certificate File
Certificate:
Data:
Version: 3 (0x2)
Serial Number: 1516 (0x5ec)
Signature Algorithm: md5WithRSAEncryption
Issuer: C=US, O=Equifax Secure Inc, CN=Equifax Secure E-Business CA
Validity
Not Before: Jul 12 15:21:01 2000 GMT
Not After : Jun 2 22:42:34 2001 GMT
Subject: C=us, ST=ga, L=atlanta, O=Equifax, OU=Rick, CN=172.18.116.44/Email=richard.sigle@equifax.com
Subject Public Key Info:
Public Key Algorithm: rsaEncryption
RSA Public Key: (1024 bit)
Modulus (1024 bit):
00:c8:eb:93:26:97:ca:00:ce:4c:e4:f3:fd:43:31:
cd:53:ed:b4:8a:ad:93:84:dc:7a:48:39:b5:28:57:
03:7f:a9:ac:3e:58:6a:7a:e3:52:3e:1e:52:58:a2:
6f:23:ad:bb:84:d8:88:ed:6d:a5:da:08:6b:c8:6c:
a5:4c:34:67:d8:46:1c:ca:20:50:b0:e8:54:7f:ca:
5e:ef:09:ff:6e:8d:a6:2b:02:f5:54:0f:c2:d0:45:
12:ad:66:e7:8b:dd:68:be:64:a4:9b:69:bd:a4:1a:
5e:ef:09:ff:6e:8d:a6:2b:02:f5:54:0f:c2:d0:45:
12:ad:66:e7:8b:dd:68:be:64:a4:9b:69:bd:a4:1a:
5a:2f:3b:6e:73:84:d8:d6:17:bd:12:39:34:fa:3d:
d8:a9:e8:59:3c:c2:61:c5:b3
Exponent: 65537 (0x10001)
X509v3 extensions:
X509v3 Key Usage: critical
Digital Signature, Non Repudiation, Key Encipherment, Data Encipherment
Netscape Cert Type:
SSL Server
X509v3 Authority Key Identifier:
keyid:5B:E0:A8:75:1C:78:02:47:71:AB:CE:27:32:E7:24:88:42:28:48:56
Signature Algorithm: md5WithRSAEncryption
87:53:74:e9:e1:a6:10:56:8c:fa:63:0e:7b:72:ff:76:4b:79:
0e:49:2a:58:ed:71:7a:bf:77:61:fa:e8:74:04:37:8c:d3:6a:
9a:3d:80:76:7a:c3:64:30:e7:1b:40:25:4e:2a:81:8b:e5:ac:
76:a4:38:67:cc:3f:93:43:e1:1d:c3:8d:ba:ed:cc:d7:aa:a4:
ab:d3:84:77:7c:8f:26:f6:dd:ba:3b:6a:99:81:e1:9e:7e:0f:
ca:a6:ff:c0:c3:59:6e:dc:a6:03:23:bf:8f:24:ff:15:ad:ac:
0d:85:fc:38:bf:d1:24:2d:1a:d3:72:55:12:95:5f:65:f0:60:
df:b1
4.2.3. Private Key File
-----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----
Proc-Type: 4,ENCRYPTED
DEK-Info: DES-EDE3-CBC,124F61450D85A480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-----END RSA PRIVATE KEY-----
4.2.4. Contents of the Private Key
read RSA key
Enter PEM pass phrase:
Private-Key: (1024 bit)
modulus:
00:c8:eb:93:26:97:ca:00:ce:4c:e4:f3:fd:43:31:
cd:53:ed:b4:8a:ad:93:84:dc:7a:48:39:b5:28:57:
03:7f:a9:ac:3e:58:6a:7a:e3:52:3e:1e:52:58:a2:
6f:23:ad:bb:84:d8:88:ed:6d:a5:da:08:6b:c8:6c:
a5:4c:34:67:d8:46:1c:ca:20:50:b0:e8:54:7f:ca:
5e:ef:09:ff:6e:8d:a6:2b:02:f5:54:0f:c2:d0:45:
12:ad:66:e7:8b:dd:68:be:64:a4:9b:69:bd:a4:1a:
5a:2f:3b:6e:73:84:d8:d6:17:bd:12:39:34:fa:3d:
d8:a9:e8:59:3c:c2:61:c5:b3
publicExponent: 65537 (0x10001)
privateExponent:
00:b6:57:7d:3b:58:24:1e:a9:1b:85:e9:9c:9e:5f:
d3:3d:69:0c:21:93:37:bf:2b:2c:da:e1:6c:74:48:
cb:c7:0f:60:5f:50:74:8a:44:45:be:54:5c:5d:4e:
45:58:f6:f1:a8:b5:af:46:f2:ec:c2:bc:43:bd:28:
44:b7:ad:13:d3:ca:de:59:24:e8:fa:f8:e5:5f:45:
38:2c:a0:a3:de:98:13:d8:80:38:e1:47:53:4c:ea:
e4:66:c3:82:93:89:c3:90:83:44:e1:13:4f:74:76:
e2:c0:89:97:77:5f:33:d8:7d:27:21:52:55:c2:d7:
dc:01:f9:bc:21:8d:a3:f5:c1
prime1:
00:e3:2d:6b:5e:05:6b:e1:46:e6:ab:ae:f3:8b:d0:
5f:94:5c:6f:f5:47:46:1d:4e:66:d3:7e:98:18:e0:
2c:0d:08:ca:b7:29:72:af:53:62:30:ec:be:26:1f:
cc:5a:ed:65:62:65:70:1e:18:19:61:e3:77:00:a7:
3a:9e:4e:12:93
prime2:
00:e2:69:56:78:e8:39:ff:17:db:cc:39:d7:7f:70:
41:dc:c5:59:43:16:c1:84:4c:ae:e7:5d:8a:c5:4b:
da:88:8e:03:99:7c:88:f2:8a:13:31:57:44:e0:b5:
c8:0a:60:b0:05:de:f6:9e:f2:00:ec:37:21:8d:3b:
dc:8e:c9:d4:61
exponent1:
1a:ad:6a:be:4f:c4:ab:5f:b8:16:d1:24:a8:76:7f:
c2:dc:58:09:65:a5:46:2b:be:c7:77:46:45:25:8e:
06:b9:d1:94:50:b9:b6:fd:03:ba:db:12:39:47:e2:
a7:8a:d9:2d:04:dc:75:ac:3e:ce:cf:f7:59:8c:49:
c5:ed:45:21
exponent2:
2d:4e:fd:32:06:ef:0c:40:7f:08:d8:8e:6a:7f:51:
7e:d7:b3:6c:3c:92:8f:62:35:22:31:d3:02:76:92:
8d:ff:35:73:32:bb:c9:25:9e:7f:a2:42:33:61:cd:
5d:5e:49:fb:72:ca:11:b6:c6:3e:7f:2d:e4:b0:95:
0b:b2:12:21
coefficient:
50:52:09:22:cb:fb:b2:b8:58:85:ab:1d:82:b9:6e:
d0:f6:dc:e8:ce:a6:5d:a1:ff:c8:4d:3b:2b:1c:19:
64:f0:c4:4a:bc:b2:1d:2b:2d:09:59:83:a3:9a:89:
f8:db:2c:2c:8a:bd:fd:a3:16:51:76:aa:ce:ea:85:
6b:1c:9f:f7
4.3. Restart the Web Server
The script to restart the webserver may be located in /usr/local/sbin,
/usr/sbin, (where the script is called httpd) or /usr/local/apache/bin
(where the script is called apachectl). If you are not running the
server with SSL enabled, you will need to stop and start the server.
You may also write your own customized scripts to start, restart, and
stop your server. As long as it starts the SSL engine, you should be
OK.
The commands are:
httpd stop
httpd startssl
httpd restart
or
apachectl stop
apachectl startssl
apachectl restart
5. Troubleshooting
Here are some common problems that may arise.
5.1. Server Appears to start, but you cannot access the secure site
Check the error_log file. If you did not set your virtual host to
write to an error log, you may want to reconsider. The example SSL
virtual host writes to an error log file. Most likely you will have a
few warnings and an error at the end of the log that basically say
that the private key does not match the certificate.
Example:
[Tue Nov 21 09:09:02 2000] [notice] Apache/1.3.14 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.7.1
OpenSSL/0.9.6 configured -- resuming normal operations
[Tue Nov 21 09:09:16 2000] [notice] caught SIGTERM, shutting down
[Tue Nov 21 14:39:54 2000] [notice] Apache/1.3.14 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.7.1
OpenSSL/0.9.6 configured -- resuming normal operations
[Tue Nov 21 14:40:31 2000] [notice] caught SIGTERM, shutting down
[Tue Nov 21 14:43:53 2000] [error] mod_ssl: Init: (esi.fin.equifax.com:443)
Unable to configure RSA server private key (OpenSSL library error follows)
[Tue Nov 21 14:43:53 2000] [error] OpenSSL: error:0B080074:x509 certificate
routines:X509_check_private_key:key values mismatch
If you get the error messages above, chances are the key and
certificate do not match. Make sure you aren't using the default
server.key file. You should also check the httpd.conf file to make
sure that the directives are pointing to the correct private key and
certificate.
You can check to make sure that you your private key and certificate
are in the correct format and match each other. To do this, give the
commands below to decrypt the private key in one terminal window and
decrypt the certificate in the other. What you will be comparing are
the Modulus and the Exponent of each key. If the modulus and exponent
from the key matches the set from the certificate, you have just
confirmed that your certificate and key are correctly paired.
If all else fails, create a new private key, CSR or self-signed
certificate. Before you do this, check your CA's re-issue policy.
You may be charged for a re-issue.
To view the contents of the certificate:
openssl x509 -noout -text -in filename.crt
To view the contents of the private key:
openssl rsa -noout -text -in filename.key
5.2. Certificate Name Check Warning is issued by the client's browser
The most common cause for this is omitting the "www" at the beginning
of the domain name when creating the CSR. The name defined by the
"ServerName" directive for that virtual host must match the domain
name presented by the certificate exactly or the browser will let the
client know. The exception is a wild card certificate. A wild card
certificate's domain name field would look like *.somedomain.com.
This enables you to use one certificate for any number of sub-domains
of somedomain.com (e.g. host1.somedomain.com and
host2.somedomain.com).
5.3. is issued by the client's browser Certificate was Signed by an
Untrusted Certificate Authority Warning
If you are using a self-signed certificate, you will get this warning.
Your clients will be given the option to trust your certificate or
not. If you have a CA signed certificate and are getting the
untrusted warning, you probably need to install their intermediate
(root) certificate.
5.4. SSLEngine on is an un-recognized command (when starting Apache)
This error message is issued if you do not have ModSSL compiled with
Apache. Some SSL packages use a different directive to start SSL
within a virtual host. If you are using a package that does use a
different directive, you will also receive this error message.
5.5. how to reset it You have forgotten your "PEM Passphrase" and you
would like to know
There is no way to reset this passphrase. The only solution is to
remember the passphrase or create a new private key. You will then
need to obtain a new certificate or create a new self-signed
certificate.
6. Glossary
Authentication
The positive identification of a network entity such as a
server, a client, or a user. In SSL context, authentication
represents the server and client Certificate verification
process.
Access Control
The restriction of access to network realms. In Apache context
usually the restriction of access to certain URLs.
Algorithm
An unambiguous formula or set of rules for solving a problem in
a finite number of steps. Algorithms for encryption are usually
called Ciphers.
Certificate
A data record used for authenticating network entities such as a
server or a client. A certificate contains X.509 information
pieces about its owner (called the subject) and the signing
Certificate Authority (called the issuer), plus the owner's
public key and the signature made by the CA. Network entities
verify these signatures using CA certificates.
Certificate Authority (CA)
A trusted third party whose purpose is to sign certificates for
network entities that it has authenticated using secure means.
Other network entities can check the signature to verify that a
CA has authenticated the bearer of a certificate.
Certificate Signing Request (CSR)
An unsigned certificate for submission to a Certification
Authority, which signs it with the Private Key of their CA
Certificate. Once the CSR is signed, it becomes a real
certificate. Cipher An algorithm or system for data encryption.
Examples are DES, IDEA, RC4, etc.
Ciphertext
The result after a Plaintext passed a Cipher.
Configuration Directive
A configuration command that controls one or more aspects of a
program's behavior. In Apache context these are all the command
names in the first column of the configuration files.
Cryptography - Symmetric
The client and server use the same key to encrypt and to decrypt
data.
Cryptography - Asymmetric
Consists of a key pair (public and private). PKI is Asymmetric
Cryptography
Digital Signatures
A piece of data that is sent with an encrypted message that
identifies the originator and verifies that it has not been
altered.
HTTPS
The HyperText Transport Protocol (Secure), the standard
encrypted communication mechanism on the World Wide Web. This is
actually just HTTP over SSL.
Message Digest
A hash of a message, which can be used to verify that the
contents of the message have not been altered in transit.
Non-repudiation
A service that provides proof of the integrity and origin of
data, both in an non-forgeable relationship, which can be
verified by any third party at any time, or, an authentication
that with high assurance can be asserted to be genuine.
A property achieved through cryptographic methods which prevents
an individual or entity from denying having performed a
particular action related to data (such as mechanisms for non-
rejection or authority (origin); for proof of obligation,
intent, or commitment, or for proof of ownership).
OpenSSL
The Open Source toolkit for SSL/TLS; see http://www.openssl.org/
<http://www.openssl.org/>
Pass Phrase
The word or phrase that protects private key files. It prevents
unauthorized users from encrypting them. Usually it's just the
secret encryption/decryption key used for Ciphers.
Plaintext
The unencrypted text.
Private Key
The secret key in a Public Key Cryptography system, used to
decrypt incoming messages and sign outgoing ones.
Public Key
The publicly available key in a Public Key Cryptography system,
used to encrypt messages bound for its owner and to decrypt
signatures made by its owner.
Public Key Cryptography
The study and application of asymmetric encryption systems,
which use one key for encryption and another for decryption. A
corresponding pair of such keys constitutes a key pair. Also
called Asymmetric Cryptography.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
A protocol created by Netscape Communications Corporation for
general communication authentication and encryption over TCP/IP
networks. The most popular usage is HTTPS, i.e. the HyperText
Transfer Protocol (HTTP) over SSL.
Session
The context information of an SSL communication.
SSLeay
The original SSL/TLS implementation library developed by Eric A.
Young <eay@aus.rsa.com>; see http://www.ssleay.org/
<http://www.ssleay.org/>
Symmetric Cryptography
The study and application of Ciphers that use a single secret
key for both encryption and decryption operations.
Transport Layer Security (TLS)
The successor protocol to SSL, created by the Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF) for general communication
authentication and encryption over TCP/IP networks. TLS version
1 and is nearly identical with SSL version 3.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
The formal identifier to locate various resources on the World
Wide Web. The most popular URL scheme is http. SSL uses the
scheme https
X.509
An authentication certificate scheme recommended by the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T) and used for
SSL/TLS authentication.
ITU-T
Recommendation X.509 [CCI88c] specifies the authentication
service for X.500 directories, as well as the X.509 certificate
syntax. Directory authentication in X.509 can be carried out
using either secret-key techniques or public-key techniques; the
latter is based on public-key certificates. The standard does
not specify a particular cryptographic algorithm, although an
informative annex of the standard describes the RSA algorithm.
