ts.pod revision 325337
1=pod
2
3=head1 NAME
4
5openssl-ts,
6ts - Time Stamping Authority tool (client/server)
7
8=head1 SYNOPSIS
9
10B<openssl> B<ts>
11B<-query>
12[B<-rand> file:file...]
13[B<-config> configfile]
14[B<-data> file_to_hash]
15[B<-digest> digest_bytes]
16[B<-md2>|B<-md4>|B<-md5>|B<-sha>|B<-sha1>|B<-mdc2>|B<-ripemd160>|B<...>]
17[B<-policy> object_id]
18[B<-no_nonce>]
19[B<-cert>]
20[B<-in> request.tsq]
21[B<-out> request.tsq]
22[B<-text>]
23
24B<openssl> B<ts>
25B<-reply>
26[B<-config> configfile]
27[B<-section> tsa_section]
28[B<-queryfile> request.tsq]
29[B<-passin> password_src]
30[B<-signer> tsa_cert.pem]
31[B<-inkey> private.pem]
32[B<-chain> certs_file.pem]
33[B<-policy> object_id]
34[B<-in> response.tsr]
35[B<-token_in>]
36[B<-out> response.tsr]
37[B<-token_out>]
38[B<-text>]
39[B<-engine> id]
40
41B<openssl> B<ts>
42B<-verify>
43[B<-data> file_to_hash]
44[B<-digest> digest_bytes]
45[B<-queryfile> request.tsq]
46[B<-in> response.tsr]
47[B<-token_in>]
48[B<-CApath> trusted_cert_path]
49[B<-CAfile> trusted_certs.pem]
50[B<-untrusted> cert_file.pem]
51
52=head1 DESCRIPTION
53
54The B<ts> command is a basic Time Stamping Authority (TSA) client and server
55application as specified in RFC 3161 (Time-Stamp Protocol, TSP). A
56TSA can be part of a PKI deployment and its role is to provide long
57term proof of the existence of a certain datum before a particular
58time. Here is a brief description of the protocol:
59
60=over 4
61
62=item 1.
63
64The TSA client computes a one-way hash value for a data file and sends
65the hash to the TSA.
66
67=item 2.
68
69The TSA attaches the current date and time to the received hash value,
70signs them and sends the time stamp token back to the client. By
71creating this token the TSA certifies the existence of the original
72data file at the time of response generation.
73
74=item 3.
75
76The TSA client receives the time stamp token and verifies the
77signature on it. It also checks if the token contains the same hash
78value that it had sent to the TSA.
79
80=back
81
82There is one DER encoded protocol data unit defined for transporting a time
83stamp request to the TSA and one for sending the time stamp response
84back to the client. The B<ts> command has three main functions:
85creating a time stamp request based on a data file,
86creating a time stamp response based on a request, verifying if a
87response corresponds to a particular request or a data file.
88
89There is no support for sending the requests/responses automatically
90over HTTP or TCP yet as suggested in RFC 3161. The users must send the
91requests either by ftp or e-mail.
92
93=head1 OPTIONS
94
95=head2 Time Stamp Request generation
96
97The B<-query> switch can be used for creating and printing a time stamp
98request with the following options:
99
100=over 4
101
102=item B<-rand> file:file...
103
104The files containing random data for seeding the random number
105generator. Multiple files can be specified, the separator is B<;> for
106MS-Windows, B<,> for VMS and B<:> for all other platforms. (Optional)
107
108=item B<-config> configfile
109
110The configuration file to use, this option overrides the
111B<OPENSSL_CONF> environment variable. Only the OID section
112of the config file is used with the B<-query> command. (Optional)
113
114=item B<-data> file_to_hash
115
116The data file for which the time stamp request needs to be
117created. stdin is the default if neither the B<-data> nor the B<-digest>
118parameter is specified. (Optional)
119
120=item B<-digest> digest_bytes
121
122It is possible to specify the message imprint explicitly without the data
123file. The imprint must be specified in a hexadecimal format, two characters
124per byte, the bytes optionally separated by colons (e.g. 1A:F6:01:... or
1251AF601...). The number of bytes must match the message digest algorithm 
126in use. (Optional)
127
128=item B<-md2>|B<-md4>|B<-md5>|B<-sha>|B<-sha1>|B<-mdc2>|B<-ripemd160>|B<...>
129
130The message digest to apply to the data file, it supports all the message
131digest algorithms that are supported by the openssl B<dgst> command.
132The default is SHA-1. (Optional)
133
134=item B<-policy> object_id
135
136The policy that the client expects the TSA to use for creating the
137time stamp token. Either the dotted OID notation or OID names defined
138in the config file can be used. If no policy is requested the TSA will
139use its own default policy. (Optional)
140
141=item B<-no_nonce>
142
143No nonce is specified in the request if this option is
144given. Otherwise a 64 bit long pseudo-random none is
145included in the request. It is recommended to use nonce to
146protect against replay-attacks. (Optional)
147
148=item B<-cert>
149
150The TSA is expected to include its signing certificate in the
151response. (Optional)
152
153=item B<-in> request.tsq
154
155This option specifies a previously created time stamp request in DER
156format that will be printed into the output file. Useful when you need
157to examine the content of a request in human-readable
158
159format. (Optional)
160
161=item B<-out> request.tsq
162
163Name of the output file to which the request will be written. Default
164is stdout. (Optional)
165
166=item B<-text>
167
168If this option is specified the output is human-readable text format
169instead of DER. (Optional)
170
171=back
172
173=head2 Time Stamp Response generation
174
175A time stamp response (TimeStampResp) consists of a response status
176and the time stamp token itself (ContentInfo), if the token generation was
177successful. The B<-reply> command is for creating a time stamp
178response or time stamp token based on a request and printing the
179response/token in human-readable format. If B<-token_out> is not
180specified the output is always a time stamp response (TimeStampResp),
181otherwise it is a time stamp token (ContentInfo).
182
183=over 4
184
185=item B<-config> configfile
186
187The configuration file to use, this option overrides the
188B<OPENSSL_CONF> environment variable. See B<CONFIGURATION FILE
189OPTIONS> for configurable variables. (Optional)
190
191=item B<-section> tsa_section
192
193The name of the config file section conatining the settings for the
194response generation. If not specified the default TSA section is
195used, see B<CONFIGURATION FILE OPTIONS> for details. (Optional)
196
197=item B<-queryfile> request.tsq
198
199The name of the file containing a DER encoded time stamp request. (Optional)
200
201=item B<-passin> password_src
202
203Specifies the password source for the private key of the TSA. See
204B<PASS PHRASE ARGUMENTS> in L<openssl(1)|openssl(1)>. (Optional)
205
206=item B<-signer> tsa_cert.pem
207
208The signer certificate of the TSA in PEM format. The TSA signing
209certificate must have exactly one extended key usage assigned to it:
210timeStamping. The extended key usage must also be critical, otherwise
211the certificate is going to be refused. Overrides the B<signer_cert>
212variable of the config file. (Optional)
213
214=item B<-inkey> private.pem
215
216The signer private key of the TSA in PEM format. Overrides the
217B<signer_key> config file option. (Optional)
218
219=item B<-chain> certs_file.pem
220
221The collection of certificates in PEM format that will all
222be included in the response in addition to the signer certificate if
223the B<-cert> option was used for the request. This file is supposed to
224contain the certificate chain for the signer certificate from its
225issuer upwards. The B<-reply> command does not build a certificate
226chain automatically. (Optional)
227
228=item B<-policy> object_id
229
230The default policy to use for the response unless the client
231explicitly requires a particular TSA policy. The OID can be specified
232either in dotted notation or with its name. Overrides the
233B<default_policy> config file option. (Optional)
234
235=item B<-in> response.tsr
236
237Specifies a previously created time stamp response or time stamp token
238(if B<-token_in> is also specified) in DER format that will be written
239to the output file. This option does not require a request, it is
240useful e.g. when you need to examine the content of a response or
241token or you want to extract the time stamp token from a response. If
242the input is a token and the output is a time stamp response a default
243'granted' status info is added to the token. (Optional)
244
245=item B<-token_in>
246
247This flag can be used together with the B<-in> option and indicates
248that the input is a DER encoded time stamp token (ContentInfo) instead
249of a time stamp response (TimeStampResp). (Optional)
250
251=item B<-out> response.tsr
252
253The response is written to this file. The format and content of the
254file depends on other options (see B<-text>, B<-token_out>). The default is
255stdout. (Optional)
256
257=item B<-token_out>
258
259The output is a time stamp token (ContentInfo) instead of time stamp
260response (TimeStampResp). (Optional)
261
262=item B<-text>
263
264If this option is specified the output is human-readable text format
265instead of DER. (Optional)
266
267=item B<-engine> id
268
269Specifying an engine (by its unique B<id> string) will cause B<ts>
270to attempt to obtain a functional reference to the specified engine,
271thus initialising it if needed. The engine will then be set as the default
272for all available algorithms. Default is builtin. (Optional)
273
274=back
275
276=head2 Time Stamp Response verification
277
278The B<-verify> command is for verifying if a time stamp response or time
279stamp token is valid and matches a particular time stamp request or
280data file. The B<-verify> command does not use the configuration file.
281
282=over 4
283
284=item B<-data> file_to_hash
285
286The response or token must be verified against file_to_hash. The file
287is hashed with the message digest algorithm specified in the token. 
288The B<-digest> and B<-queryfile> options must not be specified with this one.
289(Optional)
290
291=item B<-digest> digest_bytes
292
293The response or token must be verified against the message digest specified
294with this option. The number of bytes must match the message digest algorithm
295specified in the token. The B<-data> and B<-queryfile> options must not be
296specified with this one. (Optional)
297
298=item B<-queryfile> request.tsq
299
300The original time stamp request in DER format. The B<-data> and B<-digest>
301options must not be specified with this one. (Optional)
302
303=item B<-in> response.tsr
304
305The time stamp response that needs to be verified in DER format. (Mandatory)
306
307=item B<-token_in>
308
309This flag can be used together with the B<-in> option and indicates
310that the input is a DER encoded time stamp token (ContentInfo) instead
311of a time stamp response (TimeStampResp). (Optional)
312
313=item B<-CApath> trusted_cert_path
314
315The name of the directory containing the trused CA certificates of the
316client. See the similar option of L<verify(1)|verify(1)> for additional
317details. Either this option or B<-CAfile> must be specified. (Optional)
318
319
320=item B<-CAfile> trusted_certs.pem
321
322The name of the file containing a set of trusted self-signed CA 
323certificates in PEM format. See the similar option of 
324L<verify(1)|verify(1)> for additional details. Either this option 
325or B<-CApath> must be specified.
326(Optional)
327
328=item B<-untrusted> cert_file.pem
329
330Set of additional untrusted certificates in PEM format which may be
331needed when building the certificate chain for the TSA's signing
332certificate. This file must contain the TSA signing certificate and
333all intermediate CA certificates unless the response includes them.
334(Optional)
335
336=back
337
338=head1 CONFIGURATION FILE OPTIONS
339
340The B<-query> and B<-reply> commands make use of a configuration file
341defined by the B<OPENSSL_CONF> environment variable. See L<config(5)|config(5)>
342for a general description of the syntax of the config file. The
343B<-query> command uses only the symbolic OID names section
344and it can work without it. However, the B<-reply> command needs the
345config file for its operation.
346
347When there is a command line switch equivalent of a variable the
348switch always overrides the settings in the config file.
349
350=over 4
351
352=item B<tsa> section, B<default_tsa>	
353
354This is the main section and it specifies the name of another section
355that contains all the options for the B<-reply> command. This default
356section can be overridden with the B<-section> command line switch. (Optional)
357
358=item B<oid_file>
359
360See L<ca(1)|ca(1)> for description. (Optional)
361
362=item B<oid_section>
363
364See L<ca(1)|ca(1)> for description. (Optional)
365
366=item B<RANDFILE>
367
368See L<ca(1)|ca(1)> for description. (Optional)
369
370=item B<serial>
371
372The name of the file containing the hexadecimal serial number of the
373last time stamp response created. This number is incremented by 1 for
374each response. If the file does not exist at the time of response
375generation a new file is created with serial number 1. (Mandatory)
376
377=item B<crypto_device>
378
379Specifies the OpenSSL engine that will be set as the default for 
380all available algorithms. The default value is builtin, you can specify 
381any other engines supported by OpenSSL (e.g. use chil for the NCipher HSM).
382(Optional)
383
384=item B<signer_cert>
385
386TSA signing certificate in PEM format. The same as the B<-signer>
387command line option. (Optional)
388
389=item B<certs>
390
391A file containing a set of PEM encoded certificates that need to be
392included in the response. The same as the B<-chain> command line
393option. (Optional)
394
395=item B<signer_key>
396
397The private key of the TSA in PEM format. The same as the B<-inkey>
398command line option. (Optional)
399
400=item B<default_policy>
401
402The default policy to use when the request does not mandate any
403policy. The same as the B<-policy> command line option. (Optional)
404
405=item B<other_policies>
406
407Comma separated list of policies that are also acceptable by the TSA
408and used only if the request explicitly specifies one of them. (Optional)
409
410=item B<digests>
411
412The list of message digest algorithms that the TSA accepts. At least
413one algorithm must be specified. (Mandatory)
414
415=item B<accuracy>
416
417The accuracy of the time source of the TSA in seconds, milliseconds
418and microseconds. E.g. secs:1, millisecs:500, microsecs:100. If any of
419the components is missing zero is assumed for that field. (Optional)
420
421=item B<clock_precision_digits>
422
423Specifies the maximum number of digits, which represent the fraction of 
424seconds, that  need to be included in the time field. The trailing zeroes
425must be removed from the time, so there might actually be fewer digits,
426or no fraction of seconds at all. Supported only on UNIX platforms.
427The maximum value is 6, default is 0.
428(Optional)
429
430=item B<ordering>
431
432If this option is yes the responses generated by this TSA can always
433be ordered, even if the time difference between two responses is less
434than the sum of their accuracies. Default is no. (Optional)
435
436=item B<tsa_name>
437
438Set this option to yes if the subject name of the TSA must be included in
439the TSA name field of the response. Default is no. (Optional)
440
441=item B<ess_cert_id_chain>
442
443The SignedData objects created by the TSA always contain the
444certificate identifier of the signing certificate in a signed
445attribute (see RFC 2634, Enhanced Security Services). If this option
446is set to yes and either the B<certs> variable or the B<-chain> option
447is specified then the certificate identifiers of the chain will also
448be included in the SigningCertificate signed attribute. If this
449variable is set to no, only the signing certificate identifier is
450included. Default is no. (Optional)
451
452=back
453
454=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
455
456B<OPENSSL_CONF> contains the path of the configuration file and can be
457overridden by the B<-config> command line option.
458
459=head1 EXAMPLES
460
461All the examples below presume that B<OPENSSL_CONF> is set to a proper
462configuration file, e.g. the example configuration file 
463openssl/apps/openssl.cnf will do.
464
465=head2 Time Stamp Request
466
467To create a time stamp request for design1.txt with SHA-1 
468without nonce and policy and no certificate is required in the response:
469
470  openssl ts -query -data design1.txt -no_nonce \
471	-out design1.tsq
472
473To create a similar time stamp request with specifying the message imprint
474explicitly:
475
476  openssl ts -query -digest b7e5d3f93198b38379852f2c04e78d73abdd0f4b \
477	 -no_nonce -out design1.tsq
478
479To print the content of the previous request in human readable format:
480
481  openssl ts -query -in design1.tsq -text
482
483To create a time stamp request which includes the MD-5 digest 
484of design2.txt, requests the signer certificate and nonce,
485specifies a policy id (assuming the tsa_policy1 name is defined in the
486OID section of the config file):
487
488  openssl ts -query -data design2.txt -md5 \
489	-policy tsa_policy1 -cert -out design2.tsq
490
491=head2 Time Stamp Response
492
493Before generating a response a signing certificate must be created for
494the TSA that contains the B<timeStamping> critical extended key usage extension
495without any other key usage extensions. You can add the
496'extendedKeyUsage = critical,timeStamping' line to the user certificate section
497of the config file to generate a proper certificate. See L<req(1)|req(1)>,
498L<ca(1)|ca(1)>, L<x509(1)|x509(1)> for instructions. The examples
499below assume that cacert.pem contains the certificate of the CA,
500tsacert.pem is the signing certificate issued by cacert.pem and
501tsakey.pem is the private key of the TSA.
502
503To create a time stamp response for a request:
504
505  openssl ts -reply -queryfile design1.tsq -inkey tsakey.pem \
506	-signer tsacert.pem -out design1.tsr
507
508If you want to use the settings in the config file you could just write:
509
510  openssl ts -reply -queryfile design1.tsq -out design1.tsr
511
512To print a time stamp reply to stdout in human readable format:
513
514  openssl ts -reply -in design1.tsr -text
515
516To create a time stamp token instead of time stamp response:
517
518  openssl ts -reply -queryfile design1.tsq -out design1_token.der -token_out
519
520To print a time stamp token to stdout in human readable format:
521
522  openssl ts -reply -in design1_token.der -token_in -text -token_out
523
524To extract the time stamp token from a response:
525
526  openssl ts -reply -in design1.tsr -out design1_token.der -token_out
527
528To add 'granted' status info to a time stamp token thereby creating a
529valid response:
530
531  openssl ts -reply -in design1_token.der -token_in -out design1.tsr
532
533=head2 Time Stamp Verification
534
535To verify a time stamp reply against a request:
536
537  openssl ts -verify -queryfile design1.tsq -in design1.tsr \
538	-CAfile cacert.pem -untrusted tsacert.pem
539
540To verify a time stamp reply that includes the certificate chain:
541
542  openssl ts -verify -queryfile design2.tsq -in design2.tsr \
543	-CAfile cacert.pem
544
545To verify a time stamp token against the original data file:
546  openssl ts -verify -data design2.txt -in design2.tsr \
547	-CAfile cacert.pem
548
549To verify a time stamp token against a message imprint:
550  openssl ts -verify -digest b7e5d3f93198b38379852f2c04e78d73abdd0f4b \
551	 -in design2.tsr -CAfile cacert.pem
552
553You could also look at the 'test' directory for more examples.
554
555=head1 BUGS
556
557If you find any bugs or you have suggestions please write to
558Zoltan Glozik <zglozik@opentsa.org>. Known issues:
559
560=over 4
561
562=item * No support for time stamps over SMTP, though it is quite easy
563to implement an automatic e-mail based TSA with L<procmail(1)|procmail(1)> 
564and L<perl(1)|perl(1)>. HTTP server support is provided in the form of 
565a separate apache module. HTTP client support is provided by
566L<tsget(1)|tsget(1)>. Pure TCP/IP protocol is not supported.
567
568=item * The file containing the last serial number of the TSA is not
569locked when being read or written. This is a problem if more than one
570instance of L<openssl(1)|openssl(1)> is trying to create a time stamp
571response at the same time. This is not an issue when using the apache
572server module, it does proper locking.
573
574=item * Look for the FIXME word in the source files.
575
576=item * The source code should really be reviewed by somebody else, too.
577
578=item * More testing is needed, I have done only some basic tests (see
579test/testtsa).
580
581=back
582
583=cut
584
585=head1 AUTHOR
586
587Zoltan Glozik <zglozik@opentsa.org>, OpenTSA project (http://www.opentsa.org)
588
589=head1 SEE ALSO
590
591L<tsget(1)|tsget(1)>, L<openssl(1)|openssl(1)>, L<req(1)|req(1)>, 
592L<x509(1)|x509(1)>, L<ca(1)|ca(1)>, L<genrsa(1)|genrsa(1)>, 
593L<config(5)|config(5)>
594
595=cut
596