Visual Basic 6.0

Get the SSH Server Host Key Fingerprint

Demonstrates the Chilkat Ssh.GetHostKeyFP method, which returns the connected server's host-key fingerprint. The first argument is the hash algorithm (for example SHA256 or MD5), the second controls whether the key type is included, and the third controls whether the hash name is included. The digest is Base64 without trailing padding.

Background: The host-key fingerprint identifies the server. Comparing it against a known-good value is how a client implements host-key pinning — detecting man-in-the-middle attempts or a changed server key. SHA256 is the modern default; MD5 fingerprints are still seen in older tooling but are weaker.

Chilkat Visual Basic 6.0 Downloads

Download Chilkat for Visual Basic 6.0

Visual Basic 6.0

Dim success As Long
success = 0

'  Demonstrates the Ssh.GetHostKeyFP method, which returns the server's host-key fingerprint.
'  The 1st argument is the hash algorithm, the 2nd controls whether the key type is included,
'  and the 3rd controls whether the hash name is included.

Dim ssh As New ChilkatSsh

'  Connect to the SSH server.  Port 22 is the usual SSH port.
Dim sshPort As Long
sshPort = 22
success = ssh.Connect("ssh.example.com",sshPort)
If (success = 0) Then
    Debug.Print ssh.LastErrorText
    Exit Sub
End If

'  Get the SHA256 fingerprint, including the key type and hash name in the result.
Dim includeKeyType As Long
includeKeyType = 1
Dim includeHashName As Long
includeHashName = 1
Dim fingerprint As String
fingerprint = ssh.GetHostKeyFP("SHA256",includeKeyType,includeHashName)
If (ssh.LastMethodSuccess = 0) Then
    Debug.Print ssh.LastErrorText
    Exit Sub
End If

Debug.Print "Host key fingerprint: " & fingerprint

ssh.Disconnect