Java
Chilkat2 Java
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 Java Downloads
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();
}
}