@node certtool Invocation

@subsection Invoking certtool

@pindex certtool

@ignore

#  -*- buffer-read-only: t -*- vi: set ro:

#

# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE   (invoke-certtool.texi)

#

# It has been AutoGen-ed

# From the definitions    ../src/certtool-args.def

# and the template file   agtexi-cmd.tpl

@end ignore

Tool to parse and generate X.509 certificates, requests and private keys.

It can be used interactively or non interactively by

specifying the template command line option.

The tool accepts files or supported URIs via the --infile option. In case PIN

is required for URI access you can provide it using the environment variables GNUTLS_PIN 

and GNUTLS_SO_PIN.

This section was generated by @strong{AutoGen},

using the @code{agtexi-cmd} template and the option descriptions for the @code{certtool} program.

This software is released under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or later.

@anchor{certtool usage}

@subsubheading certtool help/usage (@option{--help})

@cindex certtool help

This is the automatically generated usage text for certtool.

The text printed is the same whether selected with the @code{help} option

(@option{--help}) or the @code{more-help} option (@option{--more-help}).  @code{more-help} will print

the usage text by passing it through a pager program.

@code{more-help} is disabled on platforms without a working

@code{fork(2)} function.  The @code{PAGER} environment variable is

used to select the program, defaulting to @file{more}.  Both will exit

with a status code of 0.

@exampleindent 0

@example

certtool - GnuTLS certificate tool

Usage:  certtool [ -<flag> [<val>] | --<name>[@{=| @}<val>] ]...

   -d, --debug=num            Enable debugging

                                - it must be in the range:

                                  0 to 9999

   -V, --verbose              More verbose output

                                - may appear multiple times

       --infile=file          Input file

                                - file must pre-exist

       --outfile=str          Output file

Certificate related options:

   -i, --certificate-info     Print information on the given certificate

       --pubkey-info          Print information on a public key

   -s, --generate-self-signed  Generate a self-signed certificate

   -c, --generate-certificate  Generate a signed certificate

       --generate-proxy       Generates a proxy certificate

   -u, --update-certificate   Update a signed certificate

       --fingerprint          Print the fingerprint of the given certificate

       --key-id               Print the key ID of the given certificate

       --v1                   Generate an X.509 version 1 certificate (with no extensions)

       --sign-params=str      Sign a certificate with a specific signature algorithm

Certificate request related options:

       --crq-info             Print information on the given certificate request

   -q, --generate-request     Generate a PKCS #10 certificate request

                                - prohibits the option 'infile'

       --no-crq-extensions    Do not use extensions in certificate requests

PKCS#12 file related options:

       --p12-info             Print information on a PKCS #12 structure

       --p12-name=str         The PKCS #12 friendly name to use

       --to-p12               Generate a PKCS #12 structure

Private key related options:

   -k, --key-info             Print information on a private key

       --p8-info              Print information on a PKCS #8 structure

       --to-rsa               Convert an RSA-PSS key to raw RSA format

   -p, --generate-privkey     Generate a private key

       --bits=num             Specify the number of bits for key generation

       --curve=str            Specify the curve used for EC key generation

       --sec-param=str        Specify the security level [low, legacy, medium, high, ultra]

       --to-p8                Convert a given key to a PKCS #8 structure

   -8, --pkcs8                Use PKCS #8 format for private keys

       --provable             Generate a private key or parameters from a seed using a provable method

       --verify-provable-privkey  Verify a private key generated from a seed using a provable method

       --seed=str             When generating a private key use the given hex-encoded seed

CRL related options:

   -l, --crl-info             Print information on the given CRL structure

       --generate-crl         Generate a CRL

       --verify-crl           Verify a Certificate Revocation List using a trusted list

                                - requires the option 'load-ca-certificate'

Certificate verification related options:

   -e, --verify-chain         Verify a PEM encoded certificate chain

       --verify               Verify a PEM encoded certificate (chain) against a trusted set

       --verify-hostname=str  Specify a hostname to be used for certificate chain verification

       --verify-email=str     Specify a email to be used for certificate chain verification

                                - prohibits the option 'verify-hostname'

       --verify-purpose=str   Specify a purpose OID to be used for certificate chain verification

       --verify-allow-broken  Allow broken algorithms, such as MD5 for verification

PKCS#7 structure options:

       --p7-generate          Generate a PKCS #7 structure

       --p7-sign              Signs using a PKCS #7 structure

       --p7-detached-sign     Signs using a detached PKCS #7 structure

       --p7-include-cert      The signer's certificate will be included in the cert list.

                                - disabled as '--no-p7-include-cert'

                                - enabled by default

       --p7-time              Will include a timestamp in the PKCS #7 structure

                                - disabled as '--no-p7-time'

       --p7-show-data         Will show the embedded data in the PKCS #7 structure

                                - disabled as '--no-p7-show-data'

       --p7-info              Print information on a PKCS #7 structure

       --p7-verify            Verify the provided PKCS #7 structure

       --smime-to-p7          Convert S/MIME to PKCS #7 structure

Other options:

       --get-dh-params        List the included PKCS #3 encoded Diffie-Hellman parameters

       --dh-info              Print information PKCS #3 encoded Diffie-Hellman parameters

       --load-privkey=str     Loads a private key file

       --load-pubkey=str      Loads a public key file

       --load-request=str     Loads a certificate request file

       --load-certificate=str Loads a certificate file

       --load-ca-privkey=str  Loads the certificate authority's private key file

       --load-ca-certificate=str Loads the certificate authority's certificate file

       --load-crl=str         Loads the provided CRL

       --load-data=str        Loads auxiliary data

       --password=str         Password to use

       --null-password        Enforce a NULL password

       --empty-password       Enforce an empty password

       --hex-numbers          Print big number in an easier format to parse

       --cprint               In certain operations it prints the information in C-friendly format

       --key-type=str         Specify the key type to use on key generation

       --hash=str             Hash algorithm to use for signing

       --salt-size=num        Specify the RSA-PSS key default salt size

       --inder                Use DER format for input certificates, private keys, and DH parameters

                                - disabled as '--no-inder'

       --inraw                an alias for the 'inder' option

       --outder               Use DER format for output certificates, private keys, and DH parameters

                                - disabled as '--no-outder'

       --outraw               an alias for the 'outder' option

       --template=str         Template file to use for non-interactive operation

       --stdout-info          Print information to stdout instead of stderr

       --ask-pass             Enable interaction for entering password when in batch mode.

       --pkcs-cipher=str      Cipher to use for PKCS #8 and #12 operations

       --provider=str         Specify the PKCS #11 provider library

Version, usage and configuration options:

   -v, --version[=arg]        output version information and exit

   -h, --help                 display extended usage information and exit

   -!, --more-help            extended usage information passed thru pager

Options are specified by doubled hyphens and their name or by a single

hyphen and the flag character.

Tool to parse and generate X.509 certificates, requests and private keys.

It can be used interactively or non interactively by specifying the

template command line option.

The tool accepts files or supported URIs via the --infile option.  In case

PIN is required for URI access you can provide it using the environment

variables GNUTLS_PIN and GNUTLS_SO_PIN.

@end example

@exampleindent 4

@anchor{certtool }

@subsubheading Base options

@subsubheading debug option (-d).

@anchor{certtool debug}

This is the ``enable debugging'' option.

This option takes a number argument.

Specifies the debug level.

@anchor{certtool cert-options}

@subsubheading cert-options options

Certificate related options.

@subsubheading pubkey-info option.

@anchor{certtool pubkey-info}

This is the ``print information on a public key'' option.

The option combined with --load-request, --load-pubkey, --load-privkey and --load-certificate will extract the public key of the object in question.

@subsubheading fingerprint option.

@anchor{certtool fingerprint}

This is the ``print the fingerprint of the given certificate'' option.

This is a simple hash of the DER encoding of the certificate. It can be combined with the --hash parameter. However, it is recommended for identification to use the key-id which depends only on the certificate's key.

@subsubheading key-id option.

@anchor{certtool key-id}

This is the ``print the key id of the given certificate'' option.

This is a hash of the public key of the given certificate. It identifies the key uniquely, remains the same on a certificate renewal and depends only on signed fields of the certificate.

@subsubheading certificate-pubkey option.

@anchor{certtool certificate-pubkey}

This is the ``print certificate's public key'' option.

This option is deprecated as a duplicate of --pubkey-info

@strong{NOTE}@strong{: THIS OPTION IS DEPRECATED}

@subsubheading sign-params option.

@anchor{certtool sign-params}

This is the ``sign a certificate with a specific signature algorithm'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This option can be combined with --generate-certificate, to sign the certificate with

a specific signature algorithm variant. The only option supported is 'RSA-PSS', and should be

specified when the signer does not have a certificate which is marked for RSA-PSS use only.

@anchor{certtool crq-options}

@subsubheading crq-options options

Certificate request related options.

@subsubheading generate-request option (-q).

@anchor{certtool generate-request}

This is the ``generate a pkcs #10 certificate request'' option.

@noindent

This option has some usage constraints.  It:

@itemize @bullet

@item

must not appear in combination with any of the following options:

infile.

@end itemize

Will generate a PKCS #10 certificate request. To specify a private key use --load-privkey.

@anchor{certtool pkcs12-options}

@subsubheading pkcs12-options options

PKCS#12 file related options.

@subsubheading p12-info option.

@anchor{certtool p12-info}

This is the ``print information on a pkcs #12 structure'' option.

This option will dump the contents and print the metadata of the provided PKCS #12 structure.

@subsubheading p12-name option.

@anchor{certtool p12-name}

This is the ``the pkcs #12 friendly name to use'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

The name to be used for the primary certificate and private key in a PKCS #12 file.

@subsubheading to-p12 option.

@anchor{certtool to-p12}

This is the ``generate a pkcs #12 structure'' option.

It requires a certificate, a private key and possibly a CA certificate to be specified.

@anchor{certtool key-options}

@subsubheading key-options options

Private key related options.

@subsubheading p8-info option.

@anchor{certtool p8-info}

This is the ``print information on a pkcs #8 structure'' option.

This option will print information about encrypted PKCS #8 structures. That option does not require the decryption of the structure.

@subsubheading to-rsa option.

@anchor{certtool to-rsa}

This is the ``convert an rsa-pss key to raw rsa format'' option.

It requires an RSA-PSS key as input and will output a raw RSA

key. This command is necessary for compatibility with applications that

cannot read RSA-PSS keys.

@subsubheading generate-privkey option (-p).

@anchor{certtool generate-privkey}

This is the ``generate a private key'' option.

When generating RSA-PSS private keys, the --hash option will

restrict the allowed hash for the key; in the same keys the --salt-size

option is also acceptable.

@subsubheading curve option.

@anchor{certtool curve}

This is the ``specify the curve used for ec key generation'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

Supported values are secp192r1, secp224r1, secp256r1, secp384r1 and secp521r1.

@subsubheading sec-param option.

@anchor{certtool sec-param}

This is the ``specify the security level [low, legacy, medium, high, ultra]'' option.

This option takes a string argument @file{Security parameter}.

This is alternative to the bits option.

@subsubheading to-p8 option.

@anchor{certtool to-p8}

This is the ``convert a given key to a pkcs #8 structure'' option.

This needs to be combined with --load-privkey.

@subsubheading provable option.

@anchor{certtool provable}

This is the ``generate a private key or parameters from a seed using a provable method'' option.

This will use the FIPS PUB186-4 algorithms (i.e., Shawe-Taylor) for provable key generation.

When specified the private keys or parameters will be generated from a seed, and can be

later validated with --verify-provable-privkey to be correctly generated from the seed. You may

specify --seed or allow GnuTLS to generate one (recommended). This option can be combined with

--generate-privkey or --generate-dh-params.

That option applies to RSA and DSA keys. On the DSA keys the PQG parameters

are generated using the seed, and on RSA the two primes.

@subsubheading verify-provable-privkey option.

@anchor{certtool verify-provable-privkey}

This is the ``verify a private key generated from a seed using a provable method'' option.

This will use the FIPS-186-4 algorithms for provable key generation. You may specify --seed or use the seed stored in the private key structure.

@subsubheading seed option.

@anchor{certtool seed}

This is the ``when generating a private key use the given hex-encoded seed'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

The seed acts as a security parameter for the private key, and

thus a seed size which corresponds to the security level of the private key

should be provided (e.g., 256-bits seed).

@anchor{certtool crl-options}

@subsubheading crl-options options

CRL related options.

@subsubheading generate-crl option.

@anchor{certtool generate-crl}

This is the ``generate a crl'' option.

This option generates a Certificate Revocation List. When combined with --load-crl it would use the loaded CRL as base for the generated (i.e., all revoked certificates in the base will be copied to the new CRL).

@subsubheading verify-crl option.

@anchor{certtool verify-crl}

This is the ``verify a certificate revocation list using a trusted list'' option.

@noindent

This option has some usage constraints.  It:

@itemize @bullet

@item

must appear in combination with the following options:

load-ca-certificate.

@end itemize

The trusted certificate list must be loaded with --load-ca-certificate.

@anchor{certtool cert-verify-options}

@subsubheading cert-verify-options options

Certificate verification related options.

@subsubheading verify-chain option (-e).

@anchor{certtool verify-chain}

This is the ``verify a pem encoded certificate chain'' option.

Verifies the validity of a certificate chain. That is, an ordered set of

    certificates where each one is the issuer of the previous, and the first is

    the end-certificate to be validated. In a proper chain the last certificate

    is a self signed one. It can be combined with --verify-purpose or --verify-hostname.

@subsubheading verify option.

@anchor{certtool verify}

This is the ``verify a pem encoded certificate (chain) against a trusted set'' option.

The trusted certificate list can be loaded with --load-ca-certificate. If no

certificate list is provided, then the system's trusted certificate list is used. Note that

during verification multiple paths may be explored. On a successful verification

the successful path will be the last one. It can be combined with --verify-purpose or --verify-hostname.

@subsubheading verify-hostname option.

@anchor{certtool verify-hostname}

This is the ``specify a hostname to be used for certificate chain verification'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This is to be combined with one of the verify certificate options.

@subsubheading verify-email option.

@anchor{certtool verify-email}

This is the ``specify a email to be used for certificate chain verification'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

@noindent

This option has some usage constraints.  It:

@itemize @bullet

@item

must not appear in combination with any of the following options:

verify-hostname.

@end itemize

This is to be combined with one of the verify certificate options.

@subsubheading verify-purpose option.

@anchor{certtool verify-purpose}

This is the ``specify a purpose oid to be used for certificate chain verification'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This object identifier restricts the purpose of the certificates to be verified. Example purposes are 1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.1 (TLS WWW), 1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.4 (EMAIL) etc. Note that a CA certificate without a purpose set (extended key usage) is valid for any purpose.

@subsubheading verify-allow-broken option.

@anchor{certtool verify-allow-broken}

This is the ``allow broken algorithms, such as md5 for verification'' option.

This can be combined with --p7-verify, --verify or --verify-chain.

@anchor{certtool pkcs7-options}

@subsubheading pkcs7-options options

PKCS#7 structure options.

@subsubheading p7-generate option.

@anchor{certtool p7-generate}

This is the ``generate a pkcs #7 structure'' option.

This option generates a PKCS #7 certificate container structure. To add certificates in the structure use --load-certificate and --load-crl.

@subsubheading p7-sign option.

@anchor{certtool p7-sign}

This is the ``signs using a pkcs #7 structure'' option.

This option generates a PKCS #7 structure containing a signature for the provided data from infile. The data are stored within the structure. The signer certificate has to be specified using --load-certificate and --load-privkey. The input to --load-certificate can be a list of certificates. In case of a list, the first certificate is used for signing and the other certificates are included in the structure.

@subsubheading p7-detached-sign option.

@anchor{certtool p7-detached-sign}

This is the ``signs using a detached pkcs #7 structure'' option.

This option generates a PKCS #7 structure containing a signature for the provided data from infile. The signer certificate has to be specified using --load-certificate and --load-privkey. The input to --load-certificate can be a list of certificates. In case of a list, the first certificate is used for signing and the other certificates are included in the structure.

@subsubheading p7-include-cert option.

@anchor{certtool p7-include-cert}

This is the ``the signer's certificate will be included in the cert list.'' option.

@noindent

This option has some usage constraints.  It:

@itemize @bullet

@item

can be disabled with --no-p7-include-cert.

@item

It is enabled by default.

@end itemize

This options works with --p7-sign or --p7-detached-sign and will include or exclude the signer's certificate into the generated signature.

@subsubheading p7-time option.

@anchor{certtool p7-time}

This is the ``will include a timestamp in the pkcs #7 structure'' option.

@noindent

This option has some usage constraints.  It:

@itemize @bullet

@item

can be disabled with --no-p7-time.

@end itemize

This option will include a timestamp in the generated signature

@subsubheading p7-show-data option.

@anchor{certtool p7-show-data}

This is the ``will show the embedded data in the pkcs #7 structure'' option.

@noindent

This option has some usage constraints.  It:

@itemize @bullet

@item

can be disabled with --no-p7-show-data.

@end itemize

This option can be combined with --p7-verify or --p7-info and will display the embedded signed data in the PKCS #7 structure.

@subsubheading p7-verify option.

@anchor{certtool p7-verify}

This is the ``verify the provided pkcs #7 structure'' option.

This option verifies the signed PKCS #7 structure. The certificate list to use for verification can be specified with --load-ca-certificate. When no certificate list is provided, then the system's certificate list is used. Alternatively a direct signer can be provided using --load-certificate. A key purpose can be enforced with the --verify-purpose option, and the --load-data option will utilize detached data.

@anchor{certtool other-options}

@subsubheading other-options options

Other options.

@subsubheading generate-dh-params option.

@anchor{certtool generate-dh-params}

This is the ``generate pkcs #3 encoded diffie-hellman parameters'' option.

The will generate random parameters to be used with

Diffie-Hellman key exchange. The output parameters will be in PKCS #3

format. Note that it is recommended to use the --get-dh-params option

instead.

@strong{NOTE}@strong{: THIS OPTION IS DEPRECATED}

@subsubheading get-dh-params option.

@anchor{certtool get-dh-params}

This is the ``list the included pkcs #3 encoded diffie-hellman parameters'' option.

Returns stored DH parameters in GnuTLS. Those parameters returned

are defined in RFC7919, and can be considered standard parameters for a TLS

key exchange. This option is provided for old applications which require

DH parameters to be specified; modern GnuTLS applications should not require

them.

@subsubheading load-privkey option.

@anchor{certtool load-privkey}

This is the ``loads a private key file'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This can be either a file or a PKCS #11 URL

@subsubheading load-pubkey option.

@anchor{certtool load-pubkey}

This is the ``loads a public key file'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This can be either a file or a PKCS #11 URL

@subsubheading load-request option.

@anchor{certtool load-request}

This is the ``loads a certificate request file'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This option can be used with a file

@subsubheading load-certificate option.

@anchor{certtool load-certificate}

This is the ``loads a certificate file'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This option can be used with a file

@subsubheading load-ca-privkey option.

@anchor{certtool load-ca-privkey}

This is the ``loads the certificate authority's private key file'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This can be either a file or a PKCS #11 URL

@subsubheading load-ca-certificate option.

@anchor{certtool load-ca-certificate}

This is the ``loads the certificate authority's certificate file'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This can be either a file or a PKCS #11 URL

@subsubheading load-crl option.

@anchor{certtool load-crl}

This is the ``loads the provided crl'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This option can be used with a file

@subsubheading load-data option.

@anchor{certtool load-data}

This is the ``loads auxiliary data'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This option can be used with a file

@subsubheading password option.

@anchor{certtool password}

This is the ``password to use'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

You can use this option to specify the password in the command line instead of reading it from the tty. Note, that the command line arguments are available for view in others in the system. Specifying password as '' is the same as specifying no password.

@subsubheading null-password option.

@anchor{certtool null-password}

This is the ``enforce a null password'' option.

This option enforces a NULL password. This is different than the empty or no password in schemas like PKCS #8.

@subsubheading empty-password option.

@anchor{certtool empty-password}

This is the ``enforce an empty password'' option.

This option enforces an empty password. This is different than the NULL or no password in schemas like PKCS #8.

@subsubheading cprint option.

@anchor{certtool cprint}

This is the ``in certain operations it prints the information in c-friendly format'' option.

In certain operations it prints the information in C-friendly format, suitable for including into C programs.

@subsubheading rsa option.

@anchor{certtool rsa}

This is the ``generate rsa key'' option.

When combined with --generate-privkey generates an RSA private key.

@strong{NOTE}@strong{: THIS OPTION IS DEPRECATED}

@subsubheading dsa option.

@anchor{certtool dsa}

This is the ``generate dsa key'' option.

When combined with --generate-privkey generates a DSA private key.

@strong{NOTE}@strong{: THIS OPTION IS DEPRECATED}

@subsubheading ecc option.

@anchor{certtool ecc}

This is the ``generate ecc (ecdsa) key'' option.

When combined with --generate-privkey generates an elliptic curve private key to be used with ECDSA.

@strong{NOTE}@strong{: THIS OPTION IS DEPRECATED}

@subsubheading ecdsa option.

@anchor{certtool ecdsa}

This is an alias for the @code{ecc} option,

@pxref{certtool ecc, the ecc option documentation}.

@subsubheading key-type option.

@anchor{certtool key-type}

This is the ``specify the key type to use on key generation'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This option can be combined with --generate-privkey, to specify

    the key type to be generated. Valid options are, 'rsa', 'rsa-pss',

'dsa', 'ecdsa', and 'ed25519'.

@subsubheading hash option.

@anchor{certtool hash}

This is the ``hash algorithm to use for signing'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

Available hash functions are SHA1, RMD160, SHA256, SHA384, SHA512, SHA3-224, SHA3-256, SHA3-384, SHA3-512.

@subsubheading salt-size option.

@anchor{certtool salt-size}

This is the ``specify the rsa-pss key default salt size'' option.

This option takes a number argument.

Typical keys shouldn't set or restrict this option.

@subsubheading inder option.

@anchor{certtool inder}

This is the ``use der format for input certificates, private keys, and dh parameters '' option.

@noindent

This option has some usage constraints.  It:

@itemize @bullet

@item

can be disabled with --no-inder.

@end itemize

The input files will be assumed to be in DER or RAW format. 

Unlike options that in PEM input would allow multiple input data (e.g. multiple 

certificates), when reading in DER format a single data structure is read.

@subsubheading inraw option.

@anchor{certtool inraw}

This is an alias for the @code{inder} option,

@pxref{certtool inder, the inder option documentation}.

@subsubheading outder option.

@anchor{certtool outder}

This is the ``use der format for output certificates, private keys, and dh parameters'' option.

@noindent

This option has some usage constraints.  It:

@itemize @bullet

@item

can be disabled with --no-outder.

@end itemize

The output will be in DER or RAW format.

@subsubheading outraw option.

@anchor{certtool outraw}

This is an alias for the @code{outder} option,

@pxref{certtool outder, the outder option documentation}.

@subsubheading ask-pass option.

@anchor{certtool ask-pass}

This is the ``enable interaction for entering password when in batch mode.'' option.

This option will enable interaction to enter password when in batch mode. That is useful when the template option has been specified.

@subsubheading pkcs-cipher option.

@anchor{certtool pkcs-cipher}

This is the ``cipher to use for pkcs #8 and #12 operations'' option.

This option takes a string argument @file{Cipher}.

Cipher may be one of 3des, 3des-pkcs12, aes-128, aes-192, aes-256, rc2-40, arcfour.

@subsubheading provider option.

@anchor{certtool provider}

This is the ``specify the pkcs #11 provider library'' option.

This option takes a string argument.

This will override the default options in /etc/gnutls/pkcs11.conf

@anchor{certtool exit status}

@subsubheading certtool exit status

One of the following exit values will be returned:

@table @samp

@item 0 (EXIT_SUCCESS)

Successful program execution.

@item 1 (EXIT_FAILURE)

The operation failed or the command syntax was not valid.

@end table

@anchor{certtool See Also}

@subsubheading certtool See Also

    p11tool (1)

@anchor{certtool Examples}

@subsubheading certtool Examples

@subsubheading Generating private keys

To create an RSA private key, run:

@example

$ certtool --generate-privkey --outfile key.pem --rsa

@end example

To create a DSA or elliptic curves (ECDSA) private key use the

above command combined with 'dsa' or 'ecc' options.

@subsubheading Generating certificate requests

To create a certificate request (needed when the certificate is  issued  by

another party), run:

@example

certtool --generate-request --load-privkey key.pem \

   --outfile request.pem

@end example

If the private key is stored in a smart card you can generate

a request by specifying the private key object URL.

@example

$ ./certtool --generate-request --load-privkey "pkcs11:..." \

  --load-pubkey "pkcs11:..." --outfile request.pem

@end example

@subsubheading Generating a self-signed certificate

To create a self signed certificate, use the command:

@example

$ certtool --generate-privkey --outfile ca-key.pem

$ certtool --generate-self-signed --load-privkey ca-key.pem \

   --outfile ca-cert.pem

@end example

Note that a self-signed certificate usually belongs to a certificate

authority, that signs other certificates.

@subsubheading Generating a certificate

To generate a certificate using the previous request, use the command:

@example

$ certtool --generate-certificate --load-request request.pem \

   --outfile cert.pem --load-ca-certificate ca-cert.pem \

   --load-ca-privkey ca-key.pem

@end example

To generate a certificate using the private key only, use the command:

@example

$ certtool --generate-certificate --load-privkey key.pem \

   --outfile cert.pem --load-ca-certificate ca-cert.pem \

   --load-ca-privkey ca-key.pem

@end example

@subsubheading Certificate information

To view the certificate information, use:

@example

$ certtool --certificate-info --infile cert.pem

@end example

@subsubheading PKCS #12 structure generation

To generate a PKCS #12 structure using the previous key and certificate,

use the command:

@example

$ certtool --load-certificate cert.pem --load-privkey key.pem \

   --to-p12 --outder --outfile key.p12

@end example

Some tools (reportedly web browsers) have problems with that file

because it does not contain the CA certificate for the certificate.

To work around that problem in the tool, you can use the

--load-ca-certificate parameter as follows:

@example

$ certtool --load-ca-certificate ca.pem \

  --load-certificate cert.pem --load-privkey key.pem \

  --to-p12 --outder --outfile key.p12

@end example

@subsubheading Obtaining Diffie-Hellman parameters

To obtain the RFC7919 parameters for Diffie-Hellman key exchange, use the command:

@example

$ certtool --get-dh-params --outfile dh.pem --sec-param medium

@end example

@subsubheading Verifying a certificate

To verify a certificate in a file against the system's CA trust store

use the following command:

@example

$ certtool --verify --infile cert.pem

@end example

It is also possible to simulate hostname verification with the following

options:

@example

$ certtool --verify --verify-hostname www.example.com --infile cert.pem

@end example

@subsubheading Proxy certificate generation

Proxy certificate can be used to delegate your credential to a

temporary, typically short-lived, certificate.  To create one from the

previously created certificate, first create a temporary key and then

generate a proxy certificate for it, using the commands:

@example

$ certtool --generate-privkey > proxy-key.pem

$ certtool --generate-proxy --load-ca-privkey key.pem \

  --load-privkey proxy-key.pem --load-certificate cert.pem \

  --outfile proxy-cert.pem

@end example

@subsubheading Certificate revocation list generation

To create an empty Certificate Revocation List (CRL) do:

@example

$ certtool --generate-crl --load-ca-privkey x509-ca-key.pem \

           --load-ca-certificate x509-ca.pem

@end example

To create a CRL that contains some revoked certificates, place the

certificates in a file and use @code{--load-certificate} as follows:

@example

$ certtool --generate-crl --load-ca-privkey x509-ca-key.pem \

  --load-ca-certificate x509-ca.pem --load-certificate revoked-certs.pem

@end example

To verify a Certificate Revocation List (CRL) do:

@example

$ certtool --verify-crl --load-ca-certificate x509-ca.pem < crl.pem

@end example

@anchor{certtool Files}

@subsubheading certtool Files

@subsubheading Certtool's template file format

A template file can be used to avoid the interactive questions of

certtool. Initially create a file named 'cert.cfg' that contains the information

about the certificate. The template can be used as below:

@example

$ certtool --generate-certificate --load-privkey key.pem  \

   --template cert.cfg --outfile cert.pem \

   --load-ca-certificate ca-cert.pem --load-ca-privkey ca-key.pem

@end example

An example certtool template file that can be used to generate a certificate

request or a self signed certificate follows.

@example

# X.509 Certificate options

#

# DN options

# The organization of the subject.

organization = "Koko inc."

# The organizational unit of the subject.

unit = "sleeping dept."

# The locality of the subject.

# locality =

# The state of the certificate owner.

state = "Attiki"

# The country of the subject. Two letter code.

country = GR

# The common name of the certificate owner.

cn = "Cindy Lauper"

# A user id of the certificate owner.

#uid = "clauper"

# Set domain components

#dc = "name"

#dc = "domain"

# If the supported DN OIDs are not adequate you can set

# any OID here.

# For example set the X.520 Title and the X.520 Pseudonym

# by using OID and string pairs.

#dn_oid = "2.5.4.12 Dr."

#dn_oid = "2.5.4.65 jackal"

# This is deprecated and should not be used in new

# certificates.

# pkcs9_email = "none@@none.org"

# An alternative way to set the certificate's distinguished name directly

# is with the "dn" option. The attribute names allowed are:

# C (country), street, O (organization), OU (unit), title, CN (common name),

# L (locality), ST (state), placeOfBirth, gender, countryOfCitizenship, 

# countryOfResidence, serialNumber, telephoneNumber, surName, initials, 

# generationQualifier, givenName, pseudonym, dnQualifier, postalCode, name, 

# businessCategory, DC, UID, jurisdictionOfIncorporationLocalityName, 

# jurisdictionOfIncorporationStateOrProvinceName,

# jurisdictionOfIncorporationCountryName, XmppAddr, and numeric OIDs.

#dn = "cn = Nikos,st = New\, Something,C=GR,surName=Mavrogiannopoulos,2.5.4.9=Arkadias"

# The serial number of the certificate

# Comment the field for a time-based serial number.

serial = 007

# In how many days, counting from today, this certificate will expire.

# Use -1 if there is no expiration date.

expiration_days = 700

# Alternatively you may set concrete dates and time. The GNU date string 

# formats are accepted. See:

# http://www.gnu.org/software/tar/manual/html_node/Date-input-formats.html