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A compiled version of OpenSSL for Windows can be found here.
General OpenSSL Commands
These commands allow you to generate CSRs, Certificates, Private Keys and do other miscellaneous tasks.
- Generate a new private key and Certificate Signing Request
openssl req -out CSR.csr -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout privateKey.key
- Generate a self-signed certificate
openssl req -x509 -nodes -days 365 -newkey rsa:2048 -keyout privateKey.key -out certificate.crt
- Generate a certificate signing request (CSR) for an existing private key
openssl req -out CSR.csr -key privateKey.key -new
- Generate a certificate signing request based on an existing certificate
openssl x509 -x509toreq -in certificate.crt -out CSR.csr -signkey privateKey.key
- Remove a passphrase from a private key
openssl rsa -in privateKey.pem -out newPrivateKey.pem
Checking Using OpenSSL
If you need to check the information within a Certificate, CSR or Private Key, use these commands.
- Check a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)
openssl req -text -noout -verify -in CSR.csr
- Check a private key
openssl rsa -in privateKey.key -check
- Check a certificate
openssl x509 -in certificate.crt -text -noout
- Check a PKCS#12 file (.pfx or .p12)
openssl pkcs12 -info -in keyStore.p12
Debugging Using OpenSSL
If you are receiving an error that the private doesn't match the certificate or that a certificate that you installed to a site is not trusted, try one of these commands.
- Check an MD5 hash of the public key to ensure that it matches with what is in a CSR or private key
openssl x509 -noout -modulus -in certificate.crt | openssl md5
openssl rsa -noout -modulus -in privateKey.key | openssl md5
openssl req -noout -modulus -in CSR.csr | openssl md5
- Check an SSL connection. All the certificates (including Intermediates) should be displayed
openssl s_client -connect www.paypal.com:443
Converting Using OpenSSL
These commands allow you to convert certificates and keys to different formats to make them compatible with specific types of servers or software. For example, you can convert a normal PEM file that would work with Apache to a PFX (PKCS#12) file and use it with Tomcat or IIS.
- Convert a DER file (.crt .cer .der) to PEM
openssl x509 -inform der -in certificate.cer -out certificate.pem
- Convert a PEM file to DER
openssl x509 -outform der -in certificate.pem -out certificate.der
- Convert a PKCS#12 file (.pfx .p12) containing a private key and certificates to PEM
openssl pkcs12 -in keyStore.pfx -out keyStore.pem -nodes
You can add -nocerts to only output the private key or add -nokeys to only output the certificates.
- Convert a PEM certificate file and a private key to PKCS#12 (.pfx .p12)
openssl pkcs12 -export -out certificate.pfx -inkey privateKey.key -in certificate.crt -certfile CACert.crt
Source: https://www.sslshopper.com/article-most-common-openssl-commands.html
FAQs
To view a certificate using OpenSSL, you'll need to use the openssl x509 -in [certificate. crt] -text -noout command. This command allows you to view the details of a certificate stored in a file named certificate. crt .
How to read a crt file using OpenSSL? ›
To view a certificate using OpenSSL, you'll need to use the openssl x509 -in [certificate. crt] -text -noout command. This command allows you to view the details of a certificate stored in a file named certificate. crt .
How to use OpenSSL s_client command? ›
Using OpenSSL s_client commands to test SSL connectivity
- In the command line, enter openssl s_client -connect <hostname> : <port> . This opens an SSL connection to the specified hostname and port and prints the SSL certificate.
- Check the availability of the domain from the connection results.
To run the program, go to the C:\OpenSSL-Win32\bin\ directory and double-click the openssl.exe file. A text window will open with an OpenSSL> prompt. Enter the OpenSSL commands you need at this prompt. The files you generate will be in this same directory.
How to read the CSR file? ›
Yes, you can read the text of a CSR in the command line. Use the 'openssl req -text' command to view the contents of the CSR file. This will display the encoded data in an easy-to-read format so that you can understand what each field stands for and what information is required for the SSL to be verified and accepted.
What is the command to view a certificate in SSL? ›
Check the CSR, Private Key or Certificate using OpenSSL
- Check a CSR openssl req -text -noout -verify -in CSR.csr.
- Check a private key openssl rsa -in privateKey.key -check.
- Check a certificate openssl x509 -in certificate.crt -text -noout.
- Check a PKCS#12 file (.pfx or .p12) openssl pkcs12 -info -in keyStore.p12.
To extract the certificate, use these commands, where cer is the file name that you want to use:
- openssl pkcs12 -in store.p12 -out cer.pem. This extracts the certificate in a . pem format.
- openssl x509 -outform der -in cer.pem -out cer.der. This formats the certificate in a . der format.
General OpenSSL Commands
These commands allow you to generate CSRs, Certificates, Private Keys and do other miscellaneous tasks. Generate a new private key and Certificate Signing Request openssl req -out CSR.csr -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout privateKey.key.
What does openssl ciphers command do? ›
You can use "openssl ciphers" command to see a list of available ciphers for OpenSSL(These are the ciphers available to the openssl client, this list is not related to the PingFederate service). Using a cipher not supported by the server results in an error similar to the following.
Where should I run openssl command? ›
In the Command Prompt, type the command Openssl version and press Enter. If OpenSSL is installed correctly, this command will display the version of OpenSSL currently installed on your system, like OpenSSL 1.1. 1g 21 Apr 2020.
Procedure
- Open the command line.
- Create a new private key in the PKCS#1 format. openssl genrsa -des3 -out key_name .key key_strength For example: openssl genrsa -des3 -out private_key.key 2048. ...
- Create a certificate signing request (CSR).
OpenSSL is widely used by software developers and system administrators to implement secure communication and encryption in various applications, such as web servers (like NGINX), email servers, VPNs, and more.
How to extract private key from certificate using OpenSSL? ›
Extracting the certificate and keys from a .pfx file
- Start OpenSSL from the OpenSSL\bin folder.
- Open the command prompt and go to the folder that contains your .pfx file.
- Run the following command to extract the private key: openssl pkcs12 -in [yourfile.pfx] -nocerts -out [drlive.key]
To check CSRs and view the information encoded in them, simply paste your CSR into the box below and our CSR Decoder will do the rest. Your CSR should start with "-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST----- " and end with "-----END CERTIFICATE REQUEST----- ".
Can you decode a CSR? ›
The Certificate Signing Request (CSR) Decoder is a simple tool that decrypts information about your Certificate Signing Request to verify that it contains the correct information. Note: There should be five dashes on either side of both prompts.
Are CSR files secret? ›
No, the CSR does not have to be kept secret as it has no value other then getting your SSL Certificate generated, and does not contain any encryption keys.
How to open .crt file? ›
How do I view certificates in Windows?
- Use certmgr. msc command inside Run dialog. Press Win+R keys -> type certmgr. ...
- Use Windows 10 to open the certificate. You can also simply double-click your . crt file in order for Windows to open it. ...
- Open . crt file inside your favorite browser. Right-click on the .
Resolution
- Select the Details tab, then select the Copy to file option.
- Choose next on the Certificate Wizard.
- Select Base-64 encoded X. 509 (. ...
- Select Browse (to locate a destination) and type in the filename.
- Choose Next, then the certificate file with the format . cer will be saved in the selected destination.
How to Convert Your Certificates and Keys to PEM Using OpenSSL
- OpenSSL: Convert CRT to PEM: Type the following code into your OpenSSL client: openssl x509 -in cert.crt -out cert.pem.
- OpenSSL: Convert CER to PEM. openssl x509 -in cert.cer -out cert.pem.
- OpenSSL: Convert DER to PEM. openssl x509 -in cert.der -out cert.pem.
- Create CSR: openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout vpn.key -out vpn.csr. Enter requested info. ...
- Create PFX for PAN Device: (If starting with .pb7 from CA) openssl pkcs7 -print_certs -in vpn.p7b -out vpn-2012.crt.
- Upload .pfx to PAN Device. Enter passphrase that you typed when you exported as a PFX.
