1SPKAC(1)                            OpenSSL                           SPKAC(1)
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NAME

6       spkac - SPKAC printing and generating utility
7

SYNOPSIS

9       openssl spkac [-in filename] [-out filename] [-key keyfile] [-passin
10       arg] [-challenge string] [-pubkey] [-spkac spkacname] [-spksect
11       section] [-noout] [-verify] [-engine id]
12

DESCRIPTION

14       The spkac command processes Netscape signed public key and challenge
15       (SPKAC) files. It can print out their contents, verify the signature
16       and produce its own SPKACs from a supplied private key.
17

COMMAND OPTIONS

19       -in filename
20           This specifies the input filename to read from or standard input if
21           this option is not specified. Ignored if the -key option is used.
22
23       -out filename
24           specifies the output filename to write to or standard output by
25           default.
26
27       -key keyfile
28           create an SPKAC file using the private key in keyfile. The -in,
29           -noout, -spksect and -verify options are ignored if present.
30
31       -passin password
32           the input file password source. For more information about the
33           format of arg see the PASS PHRASE ARGUMENTS section in openssl(1).
34
35       -challenge string
36           specifies the challenge string if an SPKAC is being created.
37
38       -spkac spkacname
39           allows an alternative name form the variable containing the SPKAC.
40           The default is "SPKAC". This option affects both generated and
41           input SPKAC files.
42
43       -spksect section
44           allows an alternative name form the section containing the SPKAC.
45           The default is the default section.
46
47       -noout
48           don't output the text version of the SPKAC (not used if an SPKAC is
49           being created).
50
51       -pubkey
52           output the public key of an SPKAC (not used if an SPKAC is being
53           created).
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55       -verify
56           verifies the digital signature on the supplied SPKAC.
57
58       -engine id
59           specifying an engine (by its unique id string) will cause spkac to
60           attempt to obtain a functional reference to the specified engine,
61           thus initialising it if needed. The engine will then be set as the
62           default for all available algorithms.
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EXAMPLES

65       Print out the contents of an SPKAC:
66
67        openssl spkac -in spkac.cnf
68
69       Verify the signature of an SPKAC:
70
71        openssl spkac -in spkac.cnf -noout -verify
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73       Create an SPKAC using the challenge string "hello":
74
75        openssl spkac -key key.pem -challenge hello -out spkac.cnf
76
77       Example of an SPKAC, (long lines split up for clarity):
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79        SPKAC=MIG5MGUwXDANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAANLADBIAkEA1cCoq2Wa3Ixs47uI7F\
80        PVwHVIPDx5yso105Y6zpozam135a8R0CpoRvkkigIyXfcCjiVi5oWk+6FfPaD03u\
81        PFoQIDAQABFgVoZWxsbzANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQQFAANBAFpQtY/FojdwkJh1bEIYuc\
82        2EeM2KHTWPEepWYeawvHD0gQ3DngSC75YCWnnDdq+NQ3F+X4deMx9AaEglZtULwV\
83        4=
84

NOTES

86       A created SPKAC with suitable DN components appended can be fed into
87       the ca utility.
88
89       SPKACs are typically generated by Netscape when a form is submitted
90       containing the KEYGEN tag as part of the certificate enrollment
91       process.
92
93       The challenge string permits a primitive form of proof of possession of
94       private key. By checking the SPKAC signature and a random challenge
95       string some guarantee is given that the user knows the private key
96       corresponding to the public key being certified. This is important in
97       some applications. Without this it is possible for a previous SPKAC to
98       be used in a "replay attack".
99

SEE ALSO

101       ca(1)
102
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1051.0.0e                            2009-04-10                          SPKAC(1)