The /etc/ssl/openssl.cnf file

Securing and Optimizing Linux: RedHat Edition -A Hands on Guide
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# 24.4. The `/etc/ssl/openssl.cnf` file

This is the general configuration file for OpenSSL program where you can configure expiration date of your keys, the name of your organization, the address etc. The parameters you may change will be in the `[ CA_default ]` and especially the `[ req_distinguished_name ]` sections. Edit the `openssl.cnf` file, vi `/etc/ssl/openssl.cnf` and add or modify:

             # OpenSSL example configuration file.
             # This is mostly being used for generation of certificate requests.
             #

             RANDFILE	= $ENV::HOME/.rnd
             oid_file	= $ENV::HOME/.oid
             oid_section            	= new_oids

             # To use this configuration file with the "-extfile" option of the
             # "openssl x509" utility, name here the section containing the
             # X.509v3 extensions to use:
             # extensions            	=
             # (Alternatively, use a configuration file that has only
             # X.509v3 extensions in its main [= default] section.)

             [ new_oids ]

             # We can add new OIDs in here for use by 'ca' and 'req'.
             # Add a simple OID like this:
             # testoid1=1.2.3.4
             # Or use config file substitution like this:
             # testoid2=${testoid1}.5.6

             ####################################################################
             [ ca ]
             default_ca      	= CA_default            	# The default ca section

             ####################################################################
             [ CA_default ]

             dir             	= /etc/ssl              		# Where everything is kept
             certs	= $dir/certs            	# Where the issued certs are kept
             crl_dir	= $dir/crl		# Where the issued crl are kept
             database	= $dir/ca.db.index  	# database index file.
             new_certs_dir   	= $dir/ca.db.certs      	# default place for new certs.

             certificate     	= $dir/certs/ca.crt     	# The CA certificate
             serial          	= $dir/ca.db.serial     	# The current serial number
             crl             	= $dir/crl.pem          	# The current CRL
             private_key     	= $dir/private/ca.key   	# The private key
             RANDFILE        	= $dir/ca.db.rand       	# private random number file

             x509_extensions = usr_cert              	# The extentions to add to the cert

             # Extensions to add to a CRL. Note: Netscape communicator chokes on V2 CRLs
             # so this is commented out by default to leave a V1 CRL.
             # crl_extensions = crl_ext

             default_days    	= 365                   		# how long to certify for
             default_crl_days	= 30                    		# how long before next CRL
             default_md      	= md5                   	# which md to use.
             Preserve	= no                    		# keep passed DN ordering

             # A few difference way of specifying how similar the request should look
             # For type CA, the listed attributes must be the same, and the optional
             # and supplied fields are just that :-)
             policy          	= policy_match

             # For the CA policy
             [ policy_match ]
             countryName             	= match
             stateOrProvinceName     	= match
             organizationName        	= match
             organizationalUnitName  	= optional
             commonName              	= supplied
             emailAddress            	= optional

             # For the 'anything' policy
             # At this point in time, you must list all acceptable 'object'
             # types.
             [ policy_anything ]
             countryName             	= optional
             stateOrProvinceName     	= optional
             localityName            	= optional
             organizationName        	= optional
             organizationalUnitName  	= optional
             commonName              	= supplied
             emailAddress            	= optional

             ####################################################################
             [ req ]
             default_bits            	= 1024
             default_keyfile         	= privkey.pem
             distinguished_name      	= req_distinguished_name
             attributes              	= req_attributes
             x509_extensions = v3_ca # The extentions to add to the self signed cert

             [ req_distinguished_name ]
             countryName                     	= Country Name (2 letter code)
             countryName_default             	= CA
             countryName_min                 	= 2
             countryName_max                 	= 2

             stateOrProvinceName             	= State or Province Name (full name)
             stateOrProvinceName_default	= Quebec

             localityName                    	= Locality Name (eg, city)
             localityName_default            	= Montreal

             0.organizationName              	= Organization Name (eg, company)
             0.organizationName_default      	= Open Network Architecture

             # we can do this but it is not needed normally :-)
             #1.organizationName             	= Second Organization Name (eg, company)
             #1.organizationName_default	= World Wide Web Pty Ltd

             organizationalUnitName          	= Organizational Unit Name (eg, section)
             organizationalUnitName_default	= Internet Department

             commonName                      	= Common Name (eg, YOUR name)
             commonName_default              	= www.openna.com
             commonName_max                  	= 64

             emailAddress                    	= Email Address
             emailAddress_default            	= admin@openna.com
             emailAddress_max                	= 40

             # SET-ex3                       	= SET extension number 3

             [ req_attributes ]
             challengePassword               	= A challenge password
             challengePassword_min           	= 4
             challengePassword_max           	= 20

             unstructuredName                	= An optional company name

             [ usr_cert ]

             # These extensions are added when 'ca' signs a request.

             # This goes against PKIX guidelines but some CAs do it and some software
             # requires this to avoid interpreting an end user certificate as a CA.

             basicConstraints=CA:FALSE

             # Here are some examples of the usage of nsCertType. If it is omitted
             # the certificate can be used for anything *except* object signing.

             # This is OK for an SSL server.
             # nsCertType                    = server

             # For an object signing certificate this would be used.
             # nsCertType = objsign

             # For normal client use this is typical
             # nsCertType = client, email

             # and for everything including object signing:
             # nsCertType = client, email, objsign

             # This is typical in keyUsage for a client certificate.
             # keyUsage = nonRepudiation, digitalSignature, keyEncipherment

             # This will be displayed in Netscape's comment listbox.
             nsComment                       = "OpenSSL Generated Certificate"

             # PKIX recommendations harmless if included in all certificates.
             subjectKeyIdentifier=hash
             authorityKeyIdentifier=keyid,issuer:always

             # This stuff is for subjectAltName and issuerAltname.
             # Import the email address.
             # subjectAltName=email:copy

             # Copy subject details
             # issuerAltName=issuer:copy

             #nsCaRevocationUrl              = http://www.domain.dom/ca-crl.pem
             #nsBaseUrl
             #nsRevocationUrl
             #nsRenewalUrl
             #nsCaPolicyUrl
             #nsSslServerName

             [ v3_ca]

             # Extensions for a typical CA

             # PKIX recommendation.

             subjectKeyIdentifier=hash

             authorityKeyIdentifier=keyid:always,issuer:always

             # This is what PKIX recommends but some broken software chokes on critical
             # extensions.
             #basicConstraints = critical,CA:true
             # So we do this instead.
             basicConstraints = CA:true

             # Key usage: this is typical for a CA certificate. However since it will
             # prevent it being used as an test self-signed certificate it is best
             # left out by default.
             # keyUsage = cRLSign, keyCertSign

             # Some might want this also
             # nsCertType = sslCA, emailCA

             # Include email address in subject alt name: another PKIX recommendation
             # subjectAltName=email:copy
             # Copy issuer details
             # issuerAltName=issuer:copy

             # RAW DER hex encoding of an extension: beware experts only!
             # 1.2.3.5=RAW:02:03
             # You can even override a supported extension:
             # basicConstraints= critical, RAW:30:03:01:01:FF

             [ crl_ext ]
             # CRL extensions.
             # Only issuerAltName and authorityKeyIdentifier make any sense in a CRL.

             # issuerAltName=issuer:copy
             authorityKeyIdentifier=keyid:always,issuer:always

> : The file `openssl.cnf` already exists on your server when you compile and install the OpenSSL program, and can be found under the `/etc/ssl/` directory. You don't need to change all the default options set in this file; The configurations you may usually change will be in the `[ CA_default ]` and `[ req_distinguished_name ]` sections only.

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