4. The /etc/ssl/openssl.cnf file

This is the general configuration file for OpenSSL program where you can configure expiration date of your keys, the name of your organization, the address etc. The parameters you may change will be in the [ CA_default ] and especially the [ req_distinguished_name ] sections. Edit the openssl.cnf file, vi /etc/ssl/openssl.cnf and add or modify:

         # OpenSSL example configuration file.
         # This is mostly being used for generation of certificate requests.
         #

         RANDFILE	= $ENV::HOME/.rnd
         oid_file	= $ENV::HOME/.oid
         oid_section            	= new_oids

         # To use this configuration file with the "-extfile" option of the
         # "openssl x509" utility, name here the section containing the
         # X.509v3 extensions to use:
         # extensions            	= 
         # (Alternatively, use a configuration file that has only
         # X.509v3 extensions in its main [= default] section.)

         [ new_oids ]

         # We can add new OIDs in here for use by 'ca' and 'req'.
         # Add a simple OID like this:
         # testoid1=1.2.3.4
         # Or use config file substitution like this:
         # testoid2=${testoid1}.5.6

         ####################################################################
         [ ca ]
         default_ca      	= CA_default            	# The default ca section

         ####################################################################
         [ CA_default ]

         dir             	= /etc/ssl              		# Where everything is kept
         certs	= $dir/certs            	# Where the issued certs are kept
         crl_dir	= $dir/crl		# Where the issued crl are kept
         database	= $dir/ca.db.index  	# database index file.
         new_certs_dir   	= $dir/ca.db.certs      	# default place for new certs.

         certificate     	= $dir/certs/ca.crt     	# The CA certificate
         serial          	= $dir/ca.db.serial     	# The current serial number
         crl             	= $dir/crl.pem          	# The current CRL
         private_key     	= $dir/private/ca.key   	# The private key
         RANDFILE        	= $dir/ca.db.rand       	# private random number file

         x509_extensions = usr_cert              	# The extentions to add to the cert

         # Extensions to add to a CRL. Note: Netscape communicator chokes on V2 CRLs
         # so this is commented out by default to leave a V1 CRL.
         # crl_extensions = crl_ext

         default_days    	= 365                   		# how long to certify for
         default_crl_days	= 30                    		# how long before next CRL
         default_md      	= md5                   	# which md to use.
         Preserve	= no                    		# keep passed DN ordering

         # A few difference way of specifying how similar the request should look
         # For type CA, the listed attributes must be the same, and the optional
         # and supplied fields are just that :-)
         policy          	= policy_match

         # For the CA policy
         [ policy_match ]
         countryName             	= match
         stateOrProvinceName     	= match
         organizationName        	= match
         organizationalUnitName  	= optional
         commonName              	= supplied
         emailAddress            	= optional

         # For the 'anything' policy
         # At this point in time, you must list all acceptable 'object'
         # types.
         [ policy_anything ]
         countryName             	= optional
         stateOrProvinceName     	= optional
         localityName            	= optional
         organizationName        	= optional
         organizationalUnitName  	= optional
         commonName              	= supplied
         emailAddress            	= optional

         ####################################################################
         [ req ]
         default_bits            	= 1024
         default_keyfile         	= privkey.pem
         distinguished_name      	= req_distinguished_name
         attributes              	= req_attributes
         x509_extensions = v3_ca # The extentions to add to the self signed cert

         [ req_distinguished_name ]
         countryName                     	= Country Name (2 letter code)
         countryName_default             	= CA
         countryName_min                 	= 2
         countryName_max                 	= 2

         stateOrProvinceName             	= State or Province Name (full name)
         stateOrProvinceName_default	= Quebec

         localityName                    	= Locality Name (eg, city)
         localityName_default            	= Montreal

         0.organizationName              	= Organization Name (eg, company)
         0.organizationName_default      	= Open Network Architecture

         # we can do this but it is not needed normally :-)
         #1.organizationName             	= Second Organization Name (eg, company)
         #1.organizationName_default	= World Wide Web Pty Ltd

         organizationalUnitName          	= Organizational Unit Name (eg, section)
         organizationalUnitName_default	= Internet Department

         commonName                      	= Common Name (eg, YOUR name)
         commonName_default              	= www.openna.com
         commonName_max                  	= 64

         emailAddress                    	= Email Address
         emailAddress_default            	= admin@openna.com
         emailAddress_max                	= 40

         # SET-ex3                       	= SET extension number 3

         [ req_attributes ]
         challengePassword               	= A challenge password
         challengePassword_min           	= 4
         challengePassword_max           	= 20

         unstructuredName                	= An optional company name

         [ usr_cert ]

         # These extensions are added when 'ca' signs a request.

         # This goes against PKIX guidelines but some CAs do it and some software
         # requires this to avoid interpreting an end user certificate as a CA.

         basicConstraints=CA:FALSE

         # Here are some examples of the usage of nsCertType. If it is omitted
         # the certificate can be used for anything *except* object signing.

         # This is OK for an SSL server.
         # nsCertType                    = server

         # For an object signing certificate this would be used.
         # nsCertType = objsign

         # For normal client use this is typical
         # nsCertType = client, email

         # and for everything including object signing:
         # nsCertType = client, email, objsign

         # This is typical in keyUsage for a client certificate.
         # keyUsage = nonRepudiation, digitalSignature, keyEncipherment

         # This will be displayed in Netscape's comment listbox.
         nsComment                       = "OpenSSL Generated Certificate"

         # PKIX recommendations harmless if included in all certificates.
         subjectKeyIdentifier=hash
         authorityKeyIdentifier=keyid,issuer:always

         # This stuff is for subjectAltName and issuerAltname.
         # Import the email address.
         # subjectAltName=email:copy

         # Copy subject details
         # issuerAltName=issuer:copy

         #nsCaRevocationUrl              = http://www.domain.dom/ca-crl.pem
         #nsBaseUrl
         #nsRevocationUrl
         #nsRenewalUrl
         #nsCaPolicyUrl
         #nsSslServerName

         [ v3_ca]

         # Extensions for a typical CA


         # PKIX recommendation.

         subjectKeyIdentifier=hash

         authorityKeyIdentifier=keyid:always,issuer:always

         # This is what PKIX recommends but some broken software chokes on critical
         # extensions.
         #basicConstraints = critical,CA:true
         # So we do this instead.
         basicConstraints = CA:true

         # Key usage: this is typical for a CA certificate. However since it will
         # prevent it being used as an test self-signed certificate it is best
         # left out by default.
         # keyUsage = cRLSign, keyCertSign

         # Some might want this also
         # nsCertType = sslCA, emailCA

         # Include email address in subject alt name: another PKIX recommendation
         # subjectAltName=email:copy
         # Copy issuer details
         # issuerAltName=issuer:copy

         # RAW DER hex encoding of an extension: beware experts only!
         # 1.2.3.5=RAW:02:03
         # You can even override a supported extension:
         # basicConstraints= critical, RAW:30:03:01:01:FF

         [ crl_ext ]
         # CRL extensions.
         # Only issuerAltName and authorityKeyIdentifier make any sense in a CRL.

         # issuerAltName=issuer:copy
         authorityKeyIdentifier=keyid:always,issuer:always
         

Tip

The file openssl.cnf already exists on your server when you compile and install the OpenSSL program, and can be found under the /etc/ssl/ directory. You don't need to change all the default options set in this file; The configurations you may usually change will be in the [ CA_default ] and [ req_distinguished_name ] sections only.