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Java

SSH Authenticate using a Smart Card Private Key

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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.

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Chilkat2 Java
import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.ChilkatException;
import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.JsonObject;
import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.Pkcs11;
import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.Ssh;
import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.SshKey;

public class ChilkatExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // 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 pkcs11 = new Pkcs11();

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

        // Normal user = 1
        int userType = 1;

        try {
            pkcs11.quickSession(userType, pin);
        } catch (ChilkatException e) {
            System.out.println(e.getLastErrorText());
            return;
        }

        // 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
        JsonObject jsonTemplate = new JsonObject();
        jsonTemplate.updateString("class", "private_key");
        jsonTemplate.updateString("key_type", "rsa");
        jsonTemplate.updateString("label", "MySshKey");

        long privKeyHandle = pkcs11.findObject(jsonTemplate);
        if (privKeyHandle == 0) {
            System.out.println(pkcs11.getLastErrorText());
            return;
        }

        // The handle is only valid for the duration of this PKCS#11 session.  To use the key in a
        // later session, find it again.
        System.out.println("private key handle: " + privKeyHandle);

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

        long pubKeyHandle = pkcs11.findObject(jsonTemplate);
        if (pubKeyHandle == 0) {
            System.out.println(pkcs11.getLastErrorText());
            return;
        }

        System.out.println("public key handle: " + pubKeyHandle);

        // Create an empty SSH key object and tell it to use the PKCS#11 handles, indicating the key type.
        SshKey sshKey = new SshKey();
        try {
            sshKey.usePkcs11(pkcs11, privKeyHandle, pubKeyHandle, "rsa");
        } catch (ChilkatException e) {
            System.out.println(e.getLastErrorText());
            return;
        }

        Ssh ssh = new Ssh();

        int port = 22;
        try {
            ssh.connect("ssh.example.com", port);

            // Authentication uses the existing PKCS#11 session.  The signing happens on the smart card --
            // the private key never leaves the device.
            ssh.authenticatePk("mySshLogin", sshKey);
        } catch (ChilkatException e) {
            System.out.println(e.getLastErrorText());
            return;
        }

        System.out.println("Public-key authentication successful.");

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

        ssh.disconnect();

        pkcs11.logout();
        pkcs11.closeSession();
    }
}