(Node.js) SFTP Authentication using X.509 Certificates

See more SFTP Examples

Demonstrates how to authenticate with an SSH/SFTP server using an certificate's private key.

Note: See X.509v3 Certificates for SSH Authentication for more information.

Install Chilkat for Node.js and Electron using npm at Chilkat npm packages for Node.js Chilkat npm packages for Electron on Windows, Linux, MacOS

var os = require('os');
if (os.platform() == 'win32') {  
  var chilkat = require('@chilkat/ck-node23-win64'); 
} else if (os.platform() == 'linux') {
    if (os.arch() == 'arm') {
        var chilkat = require('@chilkat/ck-node23-linux-arm');
    } else if (os.arch() == 'arm64') {
        var chilkat = require('@chilkat/ck-node23-linux-arm64');
    } else {
        var chilkat = require('@chilkat/ck-node23-linux-x64');
    }
} else if (os.platform() == 'darwin') {
  var chilkat = require('@chilkat/ck-node23-mac-universal');
}

function chilkatExample() {

    // This example assumes the Chilkat API to have been previously unlocked.
    // See Global Unlock Sample for sample code.

    var sftp = new chilkat.SFtp();

    var hostname = "sftp.example.com";
    var port = 22;
    var success = sftp.Connect(hostname,port);
    if (success !== true) {
        console.log(sftp.LastErrorText);
        return;
    }

    // Load the cert + private key from a .pfx.
    // Note: Chilkat provides methods for loading certs and private keys from many sources, including smart cards and USB tokens (HSM's)
    var cert = new chilkat.Cert();
    success = cert.LoadPfxFile("qa_data/pfx/example.pfx","pfx_password");
    if (success !== true) {
        console.log(cert.LastErrorText);
        return;
    }

    // Get the cert's private key (as PEM) to be used for SSH authentication.
    // (The public key is installed on the server.)
    var privKeyPem = cert.GetPrivateKeyPem();
    if (cert.LastMethodSuccess == false) {
        console.log(cert.LastErrorText);
        return;
    }

    var key = new chilkat.SshKey();

    // Load a private key from a PEM string:
    success = key.FromOpenSshPrivateKey(privKeyPem);
    if (success !== true) {
        console.log(key.LastErrorText);
        return;
    }

    // Authenticate with the SSH server.
    success = sftp.AuthenticatePk("myLogin",key);
    if (success !== true) {
        console.log(sftp.LastErrorText);
        return;
    }

    console.log("Public-Key Authentication Successful!");

}

chilkatExample();