(Tcl) Sign a PDF using SmartCard or HSM (Hardware Security Module)

See more PDF Signatures Examples

This example demonstrates how to a sign a PDF using a smartcard or HSM (hardware security module).

Note: This example requires Chilkat v9.5.0.88 or greater.

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load ./chilkat.dll

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

set pdf [new_CkPdf]

# Load a PDF to be signed.
# The "hello.pdf" is available at https://chilkatsoft.com/hello.pdf
set success [CkPdf_LoadFile $pdf "qa_data/pdf/hello.pdf"]
if {$success == 0} then {
    puts [CkPdf_lastErrorText $pdf]
    delete_CkPdf $pdf
    exit
}

# Options for signing are specified in JSON.
set json [new_CkJsonObject]

# In most cases, the signingCertificateV2 and signingTime attributes are required.
CkJsonObject_UpdateInt $json "signingCertificateV2" 1
CkJsonObject_UpdateInt $json "signingTime" 1

# Put the signature on page 1, top left
CkJsonObject_UpdateInt $json "page" 1
CkJsonObject_UpdateString $json "appearance.y" "top"
CkJsonObject_UpdateString $json "appearance.x" "left"

# Use a font scale of 10.0
CkJsonObject_UpdateString $json "appearance.fontScale" "10.0"

# In this example, the appearance of the digital signature will contain three lines:
# 1) The signing certificate's common name
# 2) The current date/time
# 3) Some arbitrary text.
# The keyword "cert_cn" is replaced with the Certificate's Subject Common Name.
# The keyword "current_dt" is replaced with the current date/time.
# Any number of appearance text lines can be added.
CkJsonObject_UpdateString $json "appearance.text[0]" "Digitally signed by: cert_cn"
CkJsonObject_UpdateString $json "appearance.text[1]" "current_dt"
CkJsonObject_UpdateString $json "appearance.text[2]" "The crazy brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."

# Use a certificate on a smartcard or USB token.
set cert [new_CkCert]

# Provide the smartcard PIN.
# Set the smartcard PIN prior to calling LoadFromSmartcard.
# If the PIN is not explicitly provided here, the Windows OS should
# display a dialog for the PIN.
CkCert_put_SmartCardPin $cert "123456"

# Load the certificate on the smartcard currently in the reader (or on the USB token).
# Pass an empty string to allow Chilkat to automatically choose the CSP (Cryptographi Service Provider).
# See Load Certificate on Smartcard for information about explicitly selecting a particular CSP.
set success [CkCert_LoadFromSmartcard $cert ""]
if {$success == 0} then {
    puts [CkCert_lastErrorText $cert]
    delete_CkPdf $pdf
    delete_CkJsonObject $json
    delete_CkCert $cert
    exit
}

# Tell the pdf object to use the certificate for signing.
set success [CkPdf_SetSigningCert $pdf $cert]
if {$success == 0} then {
    puts [CkPdf_lastErrorText $pdf]
    delete_CkPdf $pdf
    delete_CkJsonObject $json
    delete_CkCert $cert
    exit
}

set success [CkPdf_SignPdf $pdf $json "qa_output/hello_signed_hsm.pdf"]
if {$success == 0} then {
    puts [CkPdf_lastErrorText $pdf]
    delete_CkPdf $pdf
    delete_CkJsonObject $json
    delete_CkCert $cert
    exit
}

puts "The PDF has been successfully cryptographically signed using an HSM."

delete_CkPdf $pdf
delete_CkJsonObject $json
delete_CkCert $cert