C++
C++
SSH Authenticate using a Smart Card Private Key
See more SSH Examples
Demonstrates using a private key stored on an HSM (smart card or token) for SSH public-key authentication. A JSON template locates the private and public key objects by class, key type, and label, and the returned handles are bound to an SshKey object.
Background: PKCS#11 objects are found by attribute rather than by name alone, which is why a template describing the class, key type, and label is used. An important practical detail is that the returned handles are valid only for the lifetime of the PKCS#11 session — they cannot be cached and reused later, so a subsequent session must locate the objects again. Logging out and closing the session when finished releases the device for other applications.
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#include <CkPkcs11.h>
#include <CkJsonObject.h>
#include <CkSshKey.h>
#include <CkSsh.h>
void ChilkatSample(void)
{
bool success = false;
// This example requires the Chilkat API to have been previously unlocked.
// See Global Unlock Sample for sample code.
// Demonstrates using a private key stored on an HSM (smart card or token) for SSH public-key
// authentication. Public-key authentication means the client uses the private key, while the
// corresponding public key is installed on the server under the SSH account.
//
// Note: Chilkat's PKCS#11 implementation runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and other supported
// operating systems.
CkPkcs11 pkcs11;
// Use the PKCS#11 driver (.dll, .so, or .dylib) for your particular HSM.
pkcs11.put_SharedLibPath("C:/Program Files (x86)/Gemalto/IDGo 800 PKCS#11/IDPrimePKCS11.dll");
// The HSM PIN should come from a secure source rather than being hard-coded.
const char *pin = "0000";
// Normal user = 1
int userType = 1;
success = pkcs11.QuickSession(userType,pin);
if (success == false) {
std::cout << pkcs11.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
return;
}
// Provide a template describing the PKCS#11 object to find: an RSA private key labeled
// "MySshKey". For how such a key is originally imported, see
// PKCS11 Import SSH Key
CkJsonObject jsonTemplate;
jsonTemplate.UpdateString("class","private_key");
jsonTemplate.UpdateString("key_type","rsa");
jsonTemplate.UpdateString("label","MySshKey");
unsigned long privKeyHandle = pkcs11.FindObject(jsonTemplate);
if (privKeyHandle == 0) {
std::cout << pkcs11.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
return;
}
// The handle is only valid for the duration of this PKCS#11 session. To use the key in a
// later session, find it again.
std::cout << "private key handle: " << privKeyHandle << "\r\n";
// Find the corresponding public key by changing the class in the same template.
jsonTemplate.UpdateString("class","public_key");
unsigned long pubKeyHandle = pkcs11.FindObject(jsonTemplate);
if (pubKeyHandle == 0) {
std::cout << pkcs11.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
return;
}
std::cout << "public key handle: " << pubKeyHandle << "\r\n";
// Create an empty SSH key object and tell it to use the PKCS#11 handles, indicating the key type.
CkSshKey sshKey;
success = sshKey.UsePkcs11(pkcs11,privKeyHandle,pubKeyHandle,"rsa");
if (success == false) {
std::cout << sshKey.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
return;
}
CkSsh ssh;
int port = 22;
success = ssh.Connect("ssh.example.com",port);
if (success == false) {
std::cout << ssh.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
return;
}
// Authentication uses the existing PKCS#11 session. The signing happens on the smart card --
// the private key never leaves the device.
success = ssh.AuthenticatePk("mySshLogin",sshKey);
if (success == false) {
std::cout << ssh.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
return;
}
std::cout << "Public-key authentication successful." << "\r\n";
// ... use the authenticated SSH session ...
ssh.Disconnect();
pkcs11.Logout();
pkcs11.CloseSession();
}