C++

Load an Encrypted Private Key from a PEM File

Demonstrates the Chilkat PrivateKey.LoadEncryptedPemFile method, which loads a private key from a file, using a password when the key is encrypted. The first argument is the file path and the second is the password.

Note: The file path is relative to the application's current working directory. Absolute paths may also be used. Supply the path to your own key file.

Background: The file-based encrypted loader — the natural choice for a .pem key stored with a passphrase, as most deployment keys are. It decrypts encrypted PKCS #8 PEM and also accepts unencrypted files, so it works whether or not the specific file is protected. Supply the passphrase from a secure source.

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C++

#include <CkPrivateKey.h>

void ChilkatSample(void)
    {
    bool success = false;

    //  Demonstrates the PrivateKey.LoadEncryptedPemFile method, which loads a private key from a file,
    //  using a password when the key is encrypted.  The 1st argument is the file path and the 2nd is
    //  the password.

    CkPrivateKey privKey;

    //  The key password is not hard-coded in a real application; obtain it from an interactive
    //  prompt, environment variable, or a secrets vault.
    const char *password = "myKeyPassword";

    success = privKey.LoadEncryptedPemFile("qa_data/private_encrypted.pem",password);
    if (success == false) {
        std::cout << privKey.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
        return;
    }

    std::cout << "Loaded a " << privKey.keyType() << " private key." << "\r\n";
    }