C++

SSH Authenticate using Smart Card Private Key

See more SSH Examples

Demonstrates how to use a private key stored on an HSM (smartcard or token) for SSH public-key authentication. (Public-key authentication means the client, which is your application, uses the private key, while the corresponding public key is installed on the server under your SSH account.)

Note: This example requires Chilkat v9.5.0.96 or later.

C++

#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.

    // Note: Chilkat's PKCS11 implementation runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and other supported operating systems.

    CkPkcs11 pkcs11;

    // Use the PKCS11 driver (.dll, .so, .dylib) for your particular HSM.
    // For example:
    pkcs11.put_SharedLibPath("C:/Program Files (x86)/Gemalto/IDGo 800 PKCS#11/IDPrimePKCS11.dll");

    // Use your HSM's PIN.
    const char *pin = "0000";

    // Normal user = 1
    int userType = 1;

    // Establish a logged-on user session with the HSM.
    success = pkcs11.QuickSession(userType,pin);
    if (success == false) {
        std::cout << pkcs11.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
        return;
    }

    // Provide a template to find a PKCS11 object.
    CkJsonObject jsonTemplate;

    // Find an RSA private key with the label "MySshKey".
    // Here's an example of how the key was originally imported: 
    // PKCS11 Import SSH Key
    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 private key handle is only valid during the PKCS11 session.
    // If you wish to use the private key in another PKCS11 session,
    // you'll first need to find it.  See:  
    std::cout << "private key handle: " << privKeyHandle << "\r\n";

    // We'll also need the PKCS11 public key handle
    // Modify the template by updating the "class" to "public_key"
    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 PKCS11 handles.
    // We also need to indicate the key type.
    CkSshKey sshKey;
    success = sshKey.UsePkcs11(pkcs11,privKeyHandle,pubKeyHandle,"rsa");
    if (success == false) {
        std::cout << sshKey.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
        return;
    }

    // Create an SSH object and authenticate using the SSH key, which will utilize the existing PKCS11 session.
    CkSsh ssh;

    success = ssh.Connect("my-ssh-server.com",22);
    if (success == false) {
        std::cout << ssh.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
        return;
    }

    // This is where the PKCS11 private key on the smart card is used.
    success = ssh.AuthenticatePk("your_ssh_username",sshKey);
    if (success == false) {
        std::cout << ssh.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
        return;
    }

    // Do whatever it is your app needs to do using the authenticated SSH session....
    // ...
    // ...

    ssh.Disconnect();

    pkcs11.Logout();
    pkcs11.CloseSession();
    }