spkac(1)

     SPKAC(1)               0.9.6h (2000-02-16)               SPKAC(1)

     NAME
          spkac - SPKAC printing and generating utility

     SYNOPSIS
          openssl spkac [-in filename] [-out filename] [-key keyfile]
          [-passin arg] [-challenge string] [-pubkey] [-spkac
          spkacname] [-spksect section] [-noout] [-verify]

     DESCRIPTION
          The spkac command processes Netscape signed public key and
          challenge (SPKAC) files. It can print out their contents,
          verify the signature and produce its own SPKACs from a
          supplied private key.

     COMMAND OPTIONS
          -in filename
              This specifies the input filename to read from or
              standard input if this option is not specified. Ignored
              if the -key option is used.

          -out filename
              specifies the output filename to write to or standard
              output by default.

          -key keyfile
              create an SPKAC file using the private key in keyfile.
              The -in, -noout, -spksect and -verify options are
              ignored if present.

          -passin password
              the input file password source. For more information
              about the format of arg see the PASS PHRASE ARGUMENTS
              section in openssl(1).

          -challenge string
              specifies the challenge string if an SPKAC is being
              created.

          -spkac spkacname
              allows an alternative name form the variable containing
              the SPKAC. The default is "SPKAC". This option affects
              both generated and input SPKAC files.

          -spksect section
              allows an alternative name form the section containing
              the SPKAC. The default is the default section.

          -noout
              don't output the text version of the SPKAC (not used if
              an SPKAC is being created).

          -pubkey

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     SPKAC(1)               0.9.6h (2000-02-16)               SPKAC(1)

              output the public key of an SPKAC (not used if an SPKAC
              is being created).

          -verify
              verifies the digital signature on the supplied SPKAC.

     EXAMPLES
          Print out the contents of an SPKAC:

           openssl spkac -in spkac.cnf

          Verify the signature of an SPKAC:

           openssl spkac -in spkac.cnf -noout -verify

          Create an SPKAC using the challenge string "hello":

           openssl spkac -key key.pem -challenge hello -out spkac.cnf

          Example of an SPKAC, (long lines split up for clarity):

           SPKAC=MIG5MGUwXDANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAANLADBIAkEA1cCoq2Wa3Ixs47uI7F\
           PVwHVIPDx5yso105Y6zpozam135a8R0CpoRvkkigIyXfcCjiVi5oWk+6FfPaD03u\
           PFoQIDAQABFgVoZWxsbzANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQQFAANBAFpQtY/FojdwkJh1bEIYuc\
           2EeM2KHTWPEepWYeawvHD0gQ3DngSC75YCWnnDdq+NQ3F+X4deMx9AaEglZtULwV\
           4=

     NOTES
          A created SPKAC with suitable DN components appended can be
          fed into the ca utility.

          SPKACs are typically generated by Netscape when a form is
          submitted containing the KEYGEN tag as part of the
          certificate enrollment process.

          The challenge string permits a primitive form of proof of
          possession of private key. By checking the SPKAC signature
          and a random challenge string some guarantee is given that
          the user knows the private key corresponding to the public
          key being certified. This is important in some applications.
          Without this it is possible for a previous SPKAC to be used
          in a "replay attack".

     SEE ALSO
          ca(1)

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