Sample code for 30+ languages & platforms
Delphi DLL

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.

Chilkat Delphi DLL Downloads

Delphi DLL
var
success: Boolean;
pkcs11: HCkPkcs11;
pin: PWideChar;
userType: Integer;
jsonTemplate: HCkJsonObject;
privKeyHandle: Cardinal;
pubKeyHandle: Cardinal;
sshKey: HCkSshKey;
ssh: HCkSsh;
port: Integer;

begin
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.

pkcs11 := CkPkcs11_Create();

//  Use the PKCS#11 driver (.dll, .so, or .dylib) for your particular HSM.
CkPkcs11_putSharedLibPath(pkcs11,'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.
pin := '0000';

//  Normal user = 1
userType := 1;

success := CkPkcs11_QuickSession(pkcs11,userType,pin);
if (success = False) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(CkPkcs11__lastErrorText(pkcs11));
    Exit;
  end;

//  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
jsonTemplate := CkJsonObject_Create();
CkJsonObject_UpdateString(jsonTemplate,'class','private_key');
CkJsonObject_UpdateString(jsonTemplate,'key_type','rsa');
CkJsonObject_UpdateString(jsonTemplate,'label','MySshKey');

privKeyHandle := CkPkcs11_FindObject(pkcs11,jsonTemplate);
if (privKeyHandle = 0) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(CkPkcs11__lastErrorText(pkcs11));
    Exit;
  end;

//  The handle is only valid for the duration of this PKCS#11 session.  To use the key in a
//  later session, find it again.
Memo1.Lines.Add('private key handle: ' + IntToStr(privKeyHandle));

//  Find the corresponding public key by changing the class in the same template.
CkJsonObject_UpdateString(jsonTemplate,'class','public_key');

pubKeyHandle := CkPkcs11_FindObject(pkcs11,jsonTemplate);
if (pubKeyHandle = 0) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(CkPkcs11__lastErrorText(pkcs11));
    Exit;
  end;

Memo1.Lines.Add('public key handle: ' + IntToStr(pubKeyHandle));

//  Create an empty SSH key object and tell it to use the PKCS#11 handles, indicating the key type.
sshKey := CkSshKey_Create();
success := CkSshKey_UsePkcs11(sshKey,pkcs11,privKeyHandle,pubKeyHandle,'rsa');
if (success = False) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(CkSshKey__lastErrorText(sshKey));
    Exit;
  end;

ssh := CkSsh_Create();

port := 22;
success := CkSsh_Connect(ssh,'ssh.example.com',port);
if (success = False) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(CkSsh__lastErrorText(ssh));
    Exit;
  end;

//  Authentication uses the existing PKCS#11 session.  The signing happens on the smart card --
//  the private key never leaves the device.
success := CkSsh_AuthenticatePk(ssh,'mySshLogin',sshKey);
if (success = False) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(CkSsh__lastErrorText(ssh));
    Exit;
  end;

Memo1.Lines.Add('Public-key authentication successful.');

//  ... use the authenticated SSH session ...

CkSsh_Disconnect(ssh);

CkPkcs11_Logout(pkcs11);
CkPkcs11_CloseSession(pkcs11);

CkPkcs11_Dispose(pkcs11);
CkJsonObject_Dispose(jsonTemplate);
CkSshKey_Dispose(sshKey);
CkSsh_Dispose(ssh);