SPKAC(1)							      OpenSSL								  SPKAC(1)

NAME

       spkac - SPKAC printing and generating utility

SYNOPSIS

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

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.

COMMAND OPTIONS

       -in filename
	   This 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
	   create 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(1).

       -challenge string
	   specifies the challenge string if an SPKAC is being created.

       -spkac spkacname
	   allows an alternative name form the variable containing the SPKAC. The default is "SPKAC". This option affects both generated and input
	   SPKAC files.

       -spksect section
	   allows an alternative name form the section containing the SPKAC. The default is the default section.

       -noout
	   don't output the text version of the SPKAC (not used if an SPKAC is being created).

       -pubkey
	   output the public key of an SPKAC (not used if an SPKAC is being created).

       -verify
	   verifies the digital signature on the supplied SPKAC.

       -engine id
	   specifying an engine (by its unique id string) will cause spkac to attempt to obtain a functional reference to the specified engine,
	   thus initialising it if needed. The engine will then be set as the default for all available algorithms.

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=

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".

SEE ALSO

       ca(1)

1.0.0								    2009-04-10								  SPKAC(1)