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Introduction to OCSP Stapling

SSL certificates are a vital entity in secure internet communication, as they help browsers and users ensure that the websites, they are interacting with are legit. You can think of these digital certificates as digital IDs that verify a website’s identity and legitimacy.

Whenever we connect to a website through an HTTPS connection, our browser checks the digital ID (certificate) with a trusted source thus performing these tasks at the backend. This whole process, specially verifying the certificate’s signature helps the browser verify whether we are on a real server or a fake one. 

However, there are some situations in which a signature can’t be trusted. In those cases, a mechanism called Revocation comes into play. Revocation allows the browsers to know when a certificate is no longer safe to use. This could be due to server compromise, manual human error, or any other security issue. 

Certificate revocation is a process by which a Certification authority invalidates an SSL certificate. Once a certificate is revoked, that certificate can’t be used to create a secure connection. Users are also notified about the revocation list to handle any potential security risk. 

But why would a CA revoke a certificate? The most common reason for this is that the user/ entity holding that digital certificate requests its revocation. Another reason is that the CA realizes it has issued the certificate in error. The common thing in both scenarios is that revoking the certificate is crucial to prevent security vulnerabilities that could be easily exploited.  

Now, the main thing to note here is just revoking the certificate isn’t enough; this must be communicated to the end user as well. This is where OCSP Stapling comes into play. 

What is OCSP Stapling?  

Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) stapling is an internet standard that is used to verify the revocation status of X.509 certificates. This process involved periodically sending status requests to the certification authority (CA) and then passing the response to the browser for verification. Whenever a client wants to connect to the server, it presents a response validating the revocation status.

This approach ensures that the browser can quickly verify whether the certificate is valid or revoked without contacting the CA directly. If the browser receives a “revoked” status, it alerts the user to prevent the communication of any confidential information with the server.

How does OCSP Stapling work?

Following are the steps involved in the working of OCSP:  

  • Certificate Issuance

    Before the connection, CA issues a certificate that includes an OCSP supporting indicator. This lets our browser know it should use OCSP for the revocation checking. Also, this is a mandatory standard, requiring all the CAs to provide an OCSP service and issue certificates that support OCSP.

  • OCSP Responder Updates

    The CA publishes the certificate validity status to an OCSP Responder. This server is operated by the CA and handles all the OCSP requests. The CA updates the OCSP information for each certificate it has issued, including the revoked ones, at least every four days.

  • SSL Handshake

    The SSL Handshake between the client and server happens, involving several steps to establish the connection.

  • Fetching OCSP Response

    The server fetches a response from the OCSP Responder. This response contains the certificate validity information and can report any of the following three statuses: good, revoked, or unknown. Now, the browser caches this response up to ten days and then after again calls the responder for a response.

  • Stapling the OCSP Response

    The server “staples,” i.e., attaches the OCSP response to the digital certificate and sends both to the browser. This is the key difference from vanilla OCSP, where the client is responsible for obtaining the OCSP response directly from the OCSP Responder, which can cause delays and security issues.

  • Completing the Handshake

    Then the SSL Handshake completes, and the OCSP response indicates “good” or “revoked” status based on the certificate.

  • Secure connection Established

    If everything checks out, then the connection is established, and secure communication begins.

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Certificate Responses 

Following are the possible responses with OCSP stapling:  

  • Revoked: If a digital certificate is revoked, then the browser will show a warning. This response is a hard stop because the browser immediately terminates the connection.
  • Good: A good response is when the OCSP responder recognizes the certificate serial number and finds that it is valid. 
  • Unknown: This message is displayed if the OCSP responder doesn’t recognize the certificate. This is the case when the responder needs access to the CA that issued the certificate in question. This is a soft stop because it may (or may not) allow the connection to go through.

Advantages and Disadvantages of OCSP Stapling 

Advantages of OCSP Stapling

  • Improved Performance

    Unlike the conventional Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs) method, OCSP stapling doesn’t slow down browsing performance. The server downloads and caches a copy of the OCSP response from the OCSP responder, reducing latency for the user.

  • Speed and Efficiency

    OCSP stapling offers improved speed and performance in verifying the revocation status of a digital certificate. It takes minimal time to verify the status and establish a secure connection.

  • Enhanced Privacy

    OCSP stapling provides users with better privacy than traditional OCSP responder queries. As the CA or the OCSP responder can’t see the websites visited by the client, user privacy is better protected.

  • Resource Optimization

    OCSP stapling consumes fewer network resources compared to CRL or traditional OCSP, making it a more efficient solution.

Disadvantages of OCSP Stapling

  • Dependence on OCSP Responder

    If the OCSP responder experiences downtime for any reason, web servers won’t be able to generate the latest OCSP response. This creates a single point of failure and could lead to browsers being unable to update about the Revocation.

  • Limitations in Certificate Verification

    OCSP stapling typically doesn’t provide verification for intermediate certificates in a certificate chain. However, newer versions like multi-stapling and TLS 1.3 support are resolving this limitation.

  • Periodic Updates

    There is a time gap between OCSP stapling responses, leaving the servers unaware of new revocations during this period. If a certificate is revoked during this time, outdated responses may be provided. 

  • Privacy Concerns

    The verification process may leak information about the content a user is accessing, which may be used to track user behaviours and cause privacy issues.

How to check for OCSP Stapling

Ensure you are using Windows Server 2008 or above. 

  • Windows server beyond 2008 support OCSP Stapling by default while versions below 2008 don’t support OCSP Stapling.
  • If you are using a windows version below 2008. Please upgrade to 2008 or above to enable OCSP Stapling.

Step 1: Go to SSL Labs by Qaulys. 

Step 2: Check the box “Do not show the results on the boards.” 

Step 3: Enter the domain name you want to check and click on Submit. 

Step 4: After the scan gets completed. Review the “Revocation Information”. This section will include CRL and OCSP details. 

Step 5: In the OCSP Stapling row: 

  • If it says, “Yes” then OCSP Stapling is enabled. 
  • If it says,” No” then OCSP Stapling is disabled. 

This will help you verify the status of OCSP Stapling on your website. If you see a “Not supported” message , check this Microsoft documentation for troubleshooting.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, certificate revocation is a vital part of secure internet communication. Conventionally, addressing revocation was an absolute challenge. As cyber threats increase along with the growing number of devices, hackers find new techniques to compromise digital certificates.

Thus, real time validation provided by OCSP is more important than ever. By including a digitally signed response in the initial handshake, the server avoids the need for clients to query the CA’s OCSP responder, which reduces latency and potential privacy concerns thus helping in real time validation. 

While no revocation method is a perfect one, OCSP Stapling continues to progress. New standards such as “must-staple” and “multi-stapling” are improving OCSP’s security standards. However, OCSP Stapling has significantly improved this process by making revocation reporting fast, efficient, and cost-effective. With industry-wide support for OCSP, all digital certificates can benefit from this.

How can Encryption Consulting help?

Encryption Consulting provides specialized PKIaaS solution with increased scalability and consistent support features. It’s a low risk managed solution that gives you complete control over your PKI without having to worry about the complexity of the system. Our services include configuration support, PKI monitoring, and cloud-based PKI service that manages the entire life cycle of certificates, delivers security, compliance, and operational efficiency. With extensive experience in the domain, we ensure the successful and secure implementation of OCSP stapling in your organization, tailored to your specific needs. By partnering with Encryption Consulting, organizations can unlock the full potential of, realizing tangible financial benefits while maintaining robust security measures. 

Secure Your Digital Fortresses -SSH Keys: Security 4.0 in Modern Cybersecurity

Secure Shell (SSH), a digital beacon in a sea of risks prevalent on bulk information. It’s like having a strong shield coming down from the dangerous parts of the internet. SSH protocol acts as a digital bodyguard for your conversations, and as long as you’re in the digital cosmos, nothing can trace or eventually tamper with your private messages. 

SSH keys include Authorized keys and Identity keys together known as User keys, as they relate to user authentication. Authorized keys are public keys that grant access. They are analogous to locks that the corresponding private key can open. In contrast, Identity keys are private keys that an SSH client uses to authenticate itself when logging into an SSH server. They are analogous to physical keys that can open one or more locks. 

However, mastering these keys is not an easy task. Visualize a tool that ensures your digital estate is well-protected by managing a group of precious stones—one is unique and keeping them all safe is so important. 

The number one thing in building a strong SSH foundation is to employ good principles, such as using passphrase in your keys, changing them regularly for the new ones and revoking the access immediately when the keys access is with an incorrect person. To ensure your security, these are the measures you need to implement so your digital domain remains impenetrable by intruders. 

The Importance of SSH Keys and Effective Key Management

The use of SSH keys and strict key management processes is important as this helps keep systems secure from unauthorized access and protects sensitive data. The SSH key can be determined to be a better choice involving the various security levels because the two encryption keys are used for authentication. Compared to a password, SSH keys are a hard nut to crack in Brute-force attacks and thus enhance security. 

Proper SSH key management is the groundwork for maintaining access to systems and decreasing the exposure to unbid authorizations. Enterprises can stay ahead by centering key passwords and ensuring that users follow policy requirements and change their passwords periodically. Thus, enterprises can be safer from catastrophes and data compromise. At the same time, highly regarded security is continuously maintained, and all the regulations are adhered to. 

Finally, it should be mentioned that the availability of SSH keys and good practices for key management represents one of the ways to reduce the exposure of systems and data to cyber threats. By prioritizing SSH key authentication and implementing advanced specialization techniques, organizations can maintain security, lowering the risks involved and enhancing the performance of their services. 

Managing SSH Keys

These days, when you have more and more remote workers, ensuring adequate and secure access to critical machines is fundamental. An SSH key behaves like the doorkeeper, which allows secure logins to the various servers and systems. These keys may be there for a while, and therefore, their successful storage is of vital importance for coming security threats. 

To address these challenges and improve security posture, organizations must adopt a comprehensive approach to SSH key management. Below are key best practices aimed at optimizing the security and efficiency of SSH key usage: 

  • Discover and Keep Track

    You first need to set up a precise audit of SSH keys and where they are in your ever-expanding network. This covers servers, devices, and cloud instances. Maintaining a detailed inventory helps control spending quantities and reduces the complexity of managing situations.

  • Key Monitoring

    In this respect the majority of SSH keys can be assumed and there visibility is of utmost importance. Make it central to all your keys and secure them as they are so interconnected: monitor them to ensure they are properly managed in this way and less risk of misuse is created.

  • Audit and Breach Prevention

    Make the habit of examining SSH key configurations and their usage. This feature enables the recognition and prevention of breaches where fake or inactive keys may be detected and eliminated.

  • Lifecycle Management

    Automate significant lifecycle tasks that enable cutting manual input and refine management. Among these are the necessary corrections, replacements, and withdrawals, timing of which will be monitored carefully in order to allow for timely amendments without increasing risks.

  • Compliance and Governance

    Put in place policies and governance tools to manage access, guarantee, and preserve compliance. Group keys according to their functions. A role-based access control system should be put in place. And standards for key generation and rotation must be set up and followed.

  • Strong Keys

    Pick strong cryptographic methods for key generation, like RSA or ECDSA to improve security and withstand attacks in SSH keys.

  • Regular key rotation

    Similarly, SSH keys should be rotated at some times to protect the system from potential vulnerability. For example, set a schedule of key rotation in place and encode it as a computer-automated code to switch over updates smoothly.

  • Shared Keys

    Do not use a private key stored on more than one server to facilitate easier management of keys and for the safer usage of compromised key.

  • Use Passphrases

    Create passphrases for SSH keys. This is another parameter to add an additional security layer. Ask customers to implement compounded sentences to hide private keys away from intruders.

Through these processes, you will learn not only to manage your SSH keys but also to implement security controls to reduce risk and thereby secure the asses and application of your system.

Risks associated with unmanaged SSH keys 

The risks of unmanaged SSH keys are many and varied, and can result in the worst of consequences for companies, including data breaches, and ultimately systemic failures of critical infrastructure. Here’s a breakdown of the key risks: 

  • The Attacks Exposure

    If the SSH keys are not properly handled, this will contribute to the increased risk of unauthorized access and abuse. Considering the growing number of keys in circulation, a high risk of keys being stolen or used in cyberattacks is observed. One compromised key can give invaders stealthy and undetected access to the most important systems and the most confidential data.

  • Impact of Compromise

    SSH key compromise gives to the attackers a privileged access to servers, so confidentiality of the operations can be compromised. The attackers may also use root access to commit malicious activities such as introducing fake data, installing malware, or even destroying systems and incurring huge finance and reputational damage to the organization.

  • Propagation of Attacks

    The fact SSH keys are used simultaneously for multiple servers and systems makes it very easy to initiate a widespread attack. Attackers can use keys they have compromised in order to spread malware or to get access to other systems that are connected. It can cause serious problems to shareholders and it can also interrupt the operations across the entire organization.

  • Cross-Organizational Risks

    The SSH keys used for file transfers between business partners can also be a threat to the company, as they may spread the attacks beyond the organizational boundaries. Wrongly configured connections might give malicious actors a chance to log into partner organizations using the stolen keys that in turn may ultimately lead to the systems of partner organizations being compromised and more data breaches or disruptions.

  • Cyberwarfare Threats

    The abuse of SSH keys raises a serious concern. Coordinated assaults including the critical infrastructures meant to halt the operations or to damage it are real threats.

To sum it up, the risks of not having secure SSH key management practices in place demonstrate the need for proper key management to overcome the vulnerabilities, protect sensitive information, and prevent cyber threats in a modern digital world. 

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Challenges of SSH Key Management

First, SSH keys are keys for secure remote connections, which, however, cause a great deal of problems when managing them. Here’s the reason: 

  • SSH Key Spread

    Unlike physical keys, SSH keys do not terminate and, therefore, need to be multidirectional. However, without such central supervision, cybersecurity groups are in a game of catch-up and knock-out with unchecked access and security gaps. Implementing centralized key management solutions can help mitigate these risks by providing visibility and control over SSH key usage across the organization.

  • SSH Key Inactivity

    Key that is old or no longer used are especially desired targets for attackers, but administrators can never know the details about the usage of these keys and the relations of these keys with others.

    Blindly revoking keys without understanding numbers may cause operating of the system to be stopped and this may lead to downtime and operational disruptions. By implementing monitoring and logging mechanisms, organizations can gain insight into SSH key usage patterns and identify and mitigate potential security risks proactively.

  • Lack of Control

    Showing a key simplifies key management and thus security control becomes problematic. Along with existing problems, the situation would become more dangerous if the owners of the degraded or obsolete keys would be allowed to introduce their systems that would be based on a centralized single-hosted architecture.

  • Vendor Misconfigurations

    Moreover, the possibility of the third-party insecure applications to be implemented also exists. If these applications were not configured properly, they might be a source of the problem by using SSH keys. IT departments are expected to develop security rules and practices by reviewing processes and wide-ranging auditing and assessment on a routine basis in order to maintain security standards.

  • Lost or Stolen Keys

    The biggest security risk involved would be either misplacing or having our private keys stolen or destroyed, which would can lead to unauthorized network access and the transfer of a major part of networks.

    As an organization, your ability to consistently follow your established protocol shall be strictly ensured, in the event of compromised keys which have been tampered with, and the protocol requires an immediate deactivation as well as replacement of the compromised keys and a detailed investigation is also conducted to find out why the situation occurred and how such situations can be prevented from reoccurring.

  • Manual Key Lifecycle Management

    Doing this with the traditional methods is not a good way to track keys because it can be very difficult and produce many mistakes with a lot of confusion in a large place. Automation of the core products’ life cycles provides the desired impact by making the workflow process efficient which in turn helps to lessen human error.

    Automating updates management and employing scripts thus helps in ensuring continued functionality of the updates and keeping the security level at the pre-determined level. In addition, with minimum involvement of the manual operation, the workflow is getting more efficient.

  • Rapid DevOps Adoption

    One of the biggest problems that stem from DevOps environment is the fact that servers that are up and down are created way more frequently and this is where the whole issue of tracing and maintaining SSH keys begins. Utilization of automation systems that developers are coming up with is an integral part of the processes of key management in SSH amongst the environment that is constantly changing.

NIST has the guidelines that are necessary for the management of SSH key, these cover policy establishment, secure implementations, identity control, continuous monitoring, inventory management, process automation, and staff education. The guidelines are the basis of a comprehensive framework for the reinforcement of SSH key security with the capability to prevent risks. 

Best Practices aligned with NIST Guidelines and Recommendations

  • Implement Clearly Defined Policies

    Establish comprehensive SSH key management policies and procedures to govern key usage and access. Clearly defined policies provide a framework for consistent and secure SSH key management practices throughout the organization.

  • Secure SSH Implementations

    Ensure secure configurations and proper management of SSH implementations to mitigate vulnerabilities. By regularly updating and patching SSH software and configurations, organizations can reduce the risk of exploitation and unauthorized access.

  • Control SSH Identities

    Manage SSH identities and authorized keys to prevent unauthorized access and misuse. Implementing strong access controls and user authentication mechanisms helps prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to sensitive systems and data.

  • Establish Continuous Monitoring

    Implement continuous monitoring and audit processes to detect and respond to security incidents promptly. By continuously monitoring SSH key usage and access logs, organizations can identify suspicious activities and take appropriate action to mitigate risks.

  • Inventory and Remediate

    Conduct regular inventories of SSH keys and remediate any vulnerabilities or unauthorized access. By maintaining an up-to-date inventory of SSH keys and regularly reviewing access permissions, organizations can identify and address security weaknesses before they are exploited by attackers.

  • Automate Processes

    Utilize automation tools to streamline SSH key management processes and reduce manual effort and errors. Automation helps organizations efficiently manage large numbers of SSH keys and ensure compliance with security policies and regulations.

  • Educate Staff

    Provide ongoing education and training to staff members on SSH key management best practices and security protocols. By raising awareness about the importance of SSH key security and providing training on proper key management procedures, organizations can empower employees to play an active role in safeguarding sensitive information and systems.

Identifying the solution to these hardships implies application of SSH key administration procedures with automation, visibility and policy provisions. Though best practices and innovative arrangements are important factors in the process, security can be reinforced, and the vital resources are ensured against the threats when the organizations start to utilize them. 

Conclusion 

Nowadays in the digital era, remote works are widely used, and the security of remote systems is therefore of major importance. The SSH keys are the source of security feature for making secure connections with those remote systems and they are as safe as password authentication as well. 

Still, to be safe and secure, these digital keys should be properly used to ensure that the risks of unauthorized access are minimized. For instance, practices like  central visibility, lifecycle automation, and proactive management can be helpful in security this way and safeguarding critical data against any cyberattacks. This can be achieved by prioritizing SSH key management, which ensures compliance as well as reinforces security. 

Protecting your PKI and Certification Authorities (CAs) against Password fatigue and authentication risks using CertSecure Manager

Humans are often the weakest link in cybersecurity to the extent that social engineering is one of the best tools in a red team’s arsenal. For organizations, keeping a PKI secured is one of the most essential factors for keeping their organization secure, as PKI is tied to its identity. Every user and computer gets a certificate from their PKI infrastructure, which is used to communicate securely.

If the PKI is compromised, anyone can impersonate any individual or machine and easily perform MITM attacks to compromise the security of the whole infrastructure. And if the PKI goes down, there will also be organization-wide outages, which can affect every user and machine in the organization.

Ensuring the security of the PKI environment and their respective Certification Authorities (CAs) requires a comprehensive approach, especially when mitigating password fatigue and other authentication risks associated with users. 

The challenges of password fatigue 

In the context of PKI and CAs, password fatigue can lead to significant security risks. Users struggling to create complex passwords for various websites often resort to password reuse, thereby compromising their credentials. This, in turn, grants unauthorized access to critical systems and the sensitive data they contain, posing a serious threat to security. 

Strategies for Protecting Your PKI Infrastructure 

Ensuring robust security for your PKI Infrastructure is paramount to safeguarding your entire infrastructure. To this end, here are some key strategies for formulating your security policies. 

  • Strong Password Policy

    Enforcing a strong password policy across all user accounts which have access to PKI systems and their respective CAs is one of the methods to ensure that the systems are not compromised easily. This includes requirements for minimum password length, the complexity of the password, a mix of uppercase, lowercase, number, and special characters, and how often the passwords need to be changed.

  • Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA

    Enhancing your security by implementing MFA mechanisms is also essential for your security posture. MFA combines what all users know, which is their passwords, with something they have, such as a token or mobile device, or something they are, such as biometric authentication using fingerprints. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if passwords get compromised.

  • Certificate-based authentication

    Usage of certificates for certificate-based authentication whenever possible is one of the approach that will eliminate the need for passwords for certain operations which reduces the risk of password-related vulnerabilities and user fatigue to remember their passwords or password reusage.

  • Key Management

    Adhering to key management best practices, such as safe storage of private keys, key rotation, and revocation of compromised keys, can be critical for maintaining the integrity of PKI environments.

  • Granular Access Control

    Following the principle of least privilege (PoLP), proper access control should be implemented so that users have access only to the resources and operations necessary for their roles, which will mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and misuse of PKI systems.

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How CertSecure helps in Password fatigue and authentication risks in PKI 

CertSecure provides a single pane of glass for organizations to be able to operate PKI on a daily basis. This includes generating certificates, revocation, renewal and expiration alerts, and more. CertSecure also alerts admins in any major incidents so they can be promptly handled without causing major outages and ensure the PKI posture of the organization is maintained.   

Organizations that use CertSecure do not need to access their PKI infrastructure regularly. The authentication of CertSecure Manager is handled by Microsoft AzureAD which provides easy access to the portal for users already using AzureAD.

This helps to ensure that the users do not need to reuse or reenter passwords again and again thereby reducing password fatigue. This also helps organizations ensure that the PKI infrastructure is only accessed when needed thereby also reducing authentication risks within the environment. 

Conclusion 

For an organization protecting their PKI and the Certification Authorities (CAs) within them against password fatigue and authentication risks is critical for maintaining the security as well as the integrity of the organization’s infrastructure. By implementing strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, certificate-based authentication, key management best practices, and granular access controls, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and mitigate the challenges posed by password fatigue. 

Securing Active Directory: Preventing Privilege Escalation via AD CS

The data security industry is one of the most rapidly advancing sectors in the world and with these constant advancements, the risks of vulnerabilities continue to rise. It is crucial for organizations to take a proactive approach to data protection by not just assessing but also effectively managing these vulnerabilities in order to enhance security against cyber threats.

One such serious vulnerability exists within Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) that attackers can exploit. This vulnerability provides a backdoor for attacks to elevate their privileges from a Child Domain Admin to an Enterprise Admin level across the entire forest.  

Our blog gives you all the information you need about the vulnerability within AD Certificate Services (AD CS) that can be exploited to elevate Domain Admin privileges. We’ll explore methods to eliminate this risk by understanding the vulnerability to help you protect your AD environment. 

Pre-requisites

The first step is to build a good understanding of the AD structure. This attack specifically targets Active Directory with a forest containing a parent domain (also called the root domain) and one or more child domains. 

AD Domains and Trusts Window

In this example scenario, the environment contains two domains: 

  1. Parent Domain: EnconPKI.com
  2. Child Domain: Child.EnconPKI.com

Note: The Parent Domain (EnconPKI.com) is set up with a fully functional AD CS PKI Environment, while the Child Domain (Child.EnconPKI.com) contains only a writable Domain Controller. 

Understanding the AD CS Escalation of Privilege Attack  

The exploit begins with an attacker gaining initial access to a system within the network. If this compromised system belongs to a user with domain admin privileges for a child domain, the attacker could potentially elevate their access to Enterprise Admin privileges across the forest. 

This compromise could grant them complete control over the entire Active Directory environment, including the ability to: 

  • Data Breach: The attacker can steal sensitive data stored within Active Directory, such as usernames, passwords, and financial information. 
  • Disrupted Operations: The attacker can tamper with critical Active Directory objects, disrupting essential network services and applications. 
  • Lateral Movement: The attacker can leverage their exploited privileges to move laterally across the network, compromising additional systems and escalating their control. 
  • Persistent Access: The attacker can create new user accounts with permanent administrative access, allowing them to control the environment even after the initial compromise is detected. 

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Step-By-Step Breakdown 

Here’s a detailed explanation of each step involved in this exploit: 

Step 1: Gaining ‘Write’ Access to a Writable Domain Controller (DC) in a Child Domain 

First, the attacker tries to establish initial access to the network. This could be achieved through various means, such as phishing campaigns, exploiting software vulnerabilities on a user’s machine, or compromising a low-privileged account. For this attack to work, the compromised account must have ‘write’ access to a writable domain controller (DC) within a child domain. 
 

Step 2: Deploying a Fraudulent Enterprise CA 

Once the attacker has ‘write’ permission to a DC in the child domain, they can leverage the ‘System’ account’s excessive permissions within the Active Directory Configuration Naming Context. This vulnerability allows them to create a new rogue Certificate Authority (CA) within the child domain. This fraudulent CA appears legitimate to other machines within the domain, allowing the attacker to issue malicious certificates later. 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the attacker deploys the rogue CA using PowerShell on the compromised DC: 

  1. Open an elevated PowerShell prompt (Run as Administrator)

    • Search for “PowerShell” in the Start Menu

      Elevated PowerShell Prompt
    • Right-click on “Windows PowerShell” (or “PowerShell”)
    • Select “Run as Administrator”

    Note: You might be prompted for your administrator credentials. Enter the username and password for the compromised account with administrative privileges.

  2. Open an elevated PowerShell prompt (Run as Administrator)

    Once PowerShell opens in a new window, you can verify if you have elevated privileges:

    • Look for the title bar of the PowerShell window. If it displays “Administrator” after your username, you’ve successfully opened an elevated PowerShell prompt.

    • Alternatively, you can run the following command.
      `Get-ExecutionPolicy`

      Get Execution Policy

      If the output displays “RemoteSigned” or “Bypass”, you have elevated privileges. If it shows “Restricted” or “AllSigned”, you won’t be able to execute the commands needed to deploy the fraudulent CA.

  3. Execute the Install-AdcsCertificationAuthority cmdlet

    The following command installs a new Enterprise Root CA on the compromised DC:

    • Execute the following cmdlet command in the PowerShell window:
      `Install-WindowsFeature AD-Certificate, ADCS-Cert-Authority -IncludeManagementTools`

      Install Windows Feature

      This command will install the required Active Directory Server roles and features on the System.

    • Next, execute the following command in the PowerShell window:
      `Install-AdcsCertificationAuthority -CAType EnterpriseRootCA -CACommonName “Fraudulent CA”`

      Install ADCS Certification Authority
    • Press Enter and follow any on-screen prompts.

    • Verify the CA using pkihealth.msc tool and AD Containers.

      Fraudulent CA view
      Manage AD Containers
      Manage AD Containers

      The CA has been successfully registered as an Enrollment Service in the AD Container. The rogue CA has established trust within the Active Directory forest, allowing any member – users, computers, and even other domain controllers – to request certificates from it.

Step 3: Creating a Malicious Certificate Template 

Once the fake CA is established, the attacker can design a malicious certificate template and manipulate it to grant themselves elevated privileges, such as mimicking an Enterprise Admin account.

Here’s how the attacker can create a Malicious Certificate Template: 

  1. Open the Certificate Templates MMC Snap-in

    • From an elevated PowerShell prompt, type `certtmpl.msc` and press Enter.

      certtmpl.msc in prompt
  2. Create a Copy of the Default User Template
    • Right-click on the “User” template.

    • Select “Duplicate Template”.

      Default User Template

      This creates a copy of the default user template that the attacker can modify for malicious purposes.

  3. Configure the Extensions and Subject Naming Information Tabs

    The attacker will now focus on configuring two specific tabs within the newly created template properties:

    • Security Tab: Here, the attacker can manipulate certificate access to grant themselves unauthorized privileges.

      • Add the account if required and provide all permissions – ‘Read’, ‘Write’ and ‘Enroll’.

        Add the account security tab
    • Subject Naming Information Tab: This tab defines the information in the certificate subject field, identifying the certificate holder. The attacker can manipulate this field to mimic a legitimate Enterprise Admin account.
      • Select the “Supply in the request” radio button.

      • A Warning Alert appears specifying the risk associated with these settings. Since we are simulating the attacker’s steps, we can continue. Click ‘OK’.

        Subject Naming Information Tab
  4. Add the certificate template to Certificate Authority
    • Bring up the Certificate Authority by executing `certsrv.msc` in the PowerShell.

    • Expand the current CA and right-click on Certificate Templates.

      Add certificate template to CA
    • Click New, Select Certificate Template to Issue.

    • Select the malicious certificate template and click on OK.

      Select the malicious certificate template

      Note: Attackers often use the built-in “Domain Controller” template for enabling smart card logon functionality across an entire forest. Here’s why:

      • Automatic Enrollment: Domain controllers are programmed to automatically pick up certificates issued from the “Domain Controller” template. This eliminates the need for manual configuration or enrollment policies typically required for other certificate templates like “Domain Controller Authentication” or “Kerberos Authentication.”
      • Global Smart Card Logon: By issuing a malicious certificate from the Domain Controller template, the attacker can enable smart card logon for the entire forest without needing to configure individual machines. This simplifies their process and grants them broader access.

      • By creating a malicious certificate template, the attacker lays the groundwork for issuing a certificate that grants them unauthorized access. They can potentially use this certificate to impersonate a privileged user and gain control over critical domain resources.

Step 4: Issuing a Certificate for a Targeted Enterprise Admin Account 

Using the compromised DC, the attacker can issue a certificate signed by the fake CA. This certificate is intended to look like it was issued for a legitimate Enterprise Admin account. The attacker can manipulate different certificate fields like the “Subject” (which identifies the certificate holder) to mimic a real Enterprise Admin account.

The following steps are used by the attacker to issue the malicious certificate:

  1. Open the Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
    • Navigate to the “Start Menu” and search for “mmc.exe”. This opens the Microsoft Management Console.
    • Click “File” and then “Add/Remove Snap-in…”.

    • In the “Available snap-ins” list, select “Certificates” and click “Add”.

      Available snap ins list
    • Choose “User account” and click “Finish”.
    • Click “OK” on the “Add/Remove Snap-in” window.

    Now you should see the “Certificates” snap-in listed in the MMC console tree.

  2. Request a Malicious Certificate
    • In the opened MMC, right-click on Personal.

    • Go to All Tasks, Select “Request New Certificate…”

      Request New Malicious Certificate
    • Click on Next.

    • Navigate through the wizard, “Request Certificates” action is encountered.

      Request Certificates in wiard
    • Select the template’s checkbox and Click on the Alert.

    • Under Subject tab, in Alternative Name box add “User Principal Name” and set the value to be target account’s UPN.
      The format must be [email protected]

      Subject tab format described
    • Click OK. Then, click Enroll.
    • Click on Finish.
  3. Retrieve and Install the Issued Certificate

    • Once the certificate request is processed, it will appear under the Personal Certificates.

      Personal Certificates request processed

    • Right-click on the newly issued certificate and select “All Tasks” -> “Export”.

      right click newly issued certificate

    • Choose the PKCS#12 (.PFX) format for exporting the certificate and private key together. You’ll need to provide a strong password to protect the exported file.

      Choose the PKCS12

    Now, the attacker has a certificate file that appears legitimate and impersonates a privileged Enterprise Admin account.

Step 5: Utilizing the Certificate to Gain Unauthorized Access with Increased Privileges 

Now the attacker can leverage this forged certificate to gain unauthorized access to domain resources. Since the certificate appears legitimate and signed by a seemingly trusted CA (the Fraudulent CA), the attacker can potentially bypass security measures and access resources typically restricted to Enterprise Admins. This allows them to move laterally within the network, steal sensitive data, or disrupt critical operations. 

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Why This Attack Works 

This attack exploits the default configuration of AD CS, where the “System” account has full control permissions within the Active Directory Configuration NC. This excessive permission allows attackers with “write” access to a DC to manipulate critical AD objects with elevated privileges.

Securing Your AD Environment 

There are so many preventative actions that one can take to protect their AD defenses and prevent these exploits. Here are the most common and effective steps you can take to protect your AD environment today: 

  • Implement Least Privilege: Grant users and systems only the minimum permissions they need to perform their tasks. This reduces the impact if an attacker gains access to a compromised account. 
  • Minimize Permissions on the ADSI: Restrict write access to the Active Directory Service Interface Configurations to authorized administrators and Domain Controllers originating from the forest root domain. 
  • Monitor and Audit AD Activity: Actively monitor for suspicious activities like unauthorized DC access attempts, modifications to the CNC, or the creation of rogue CAs. 
  • Patch Systems Promptly: It is crucial to patch vulnerabilities in AD and related services promptly. Keep your AD environment and related software up to date with the latest security patches to address known vulnerabilities. 
  • Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second factor beyond just a username and password to access sensitive resources. 
  • Educate Users: Train your users to be vigilant against phishing attacks and other social engineering tactics that could be used to gain initial access to your network.

Conclusion 

It is important for us to remember that these continuous advancements in technology will also leave room for vulnerabilities within the environment and the most effective long-term strategy is one where organizations like yours adopt a proactive approach by continuously monitoring your infrastructure, assessing the vulnerabilities, and minimizing risks factors.

So, always remember to continuously monitor your architecture and include strong authentication, permission control, network segmentation, and user education in your security strategy to render such external attacks ineffective.

How Encryption Consulting can help

At Encryption Consulting, we specialize in helping organizations like yours identify and mitigate security risks through tailored PKI Assessments. Our team of experts can provide a customized strategy to protect your PKI architecture from emerging threats, ensuring your data and infrastructure remain secure.

Our full range of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) services helps you safeguard your digital assets and enhance your organization’s overall security posture,

For those seeking a hands-off solution, our PKI as a Service (PKIaaS) delivers all the benefits of PKI without the burden of in-house management. We ensure to provide four parameters:

  • Scalability: We help your PKI infrastructure grow as your business expands.
  • Cost Efficiency: We reduce overhead by offloading infrastructure maintenance.
  • Security: We ensure your organization stay compliant and secure with up-to-date PKI management.
  • Compliance: We ensure your solution meets all regulatory requirements.

With Encryption Consulting’s PKIaaS, you can focus on your core business while we handle the complexities of PKI management. Let us provide the peace of mind that comes from knowing your digital trust and security needs are in expert hands. Reach out today at [email protected] to explore how we can help your organization stay secure against cyber threats.  

PKI – Uses and Risks

A false sense of security can be much more dangerous than the absence of security. A researcher in a large-scale enterprise while sharing files using Azure’s SAS tokens, but due to some misconfigurations, accidentally granted access to the entire storage unit rather than specific files.

When it comes to security, implementation is more important than awareness. The goal of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is to attain trust by issuing and managing Digital Certificates where secure trust is created within an environment.
Certificates act as a driver’s license displaying all the information needed to ensure identification of the user, server, or issuing authority and ownership of the public key.

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Secrets of PKI: Risks you must be aware of while Implementing PKI

  1. How can we trust Certificate Authorities (CA)?

    Even though a CA may follow the Certificate Practice Statement (CPS) it is a document that often includes disclaimers that shift the responsibility away from the CA, stating that they hold no responsibility of how certificates are used. This means that just because a certificate is issued correctly it does not guarantee it can be trusted for all applications.

  2. What goes wrong with trusting Identity (ID) certificates?

    The flawed logic in trusting an Identity certificate goes like this- if you have an identity certificate, it gives you the name of the keyholder, knowing the keyholder’s name means you know who they are, and this is all you need. However, this reasoning is incorrect, as knowing someone’s identity doesn’t guarantee their authorization or trustworthiness for specific actions.

  3. How securely is your private key stored?

    This concern ties closely to the concept of “non-repudiation” PKI vendors addresses this term in legal context, pushing for laws that states if someone is using your private signing key. You cannot deny responsibility for the resulting signature. In some jurisdictions such as Utah and Washington, if your private signing key has been certified by an approved CA you are legally responsible for any actions taken with that key, regardless of whether a virus or someone else accessed your device.

 Top 4 Use Cases of PKI from our Experience:

  1. PKI for Web Applications

    We often come across HTTPS when browsing the internet, but how is it different than HTTP? HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP that is the primary way to visit websites. The difference of “Secure” indicates that the connection to the server is encrypted.Let’s understand how Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure works. To ensure we connect to the authenticated server, our browser initially accepts a certificate from the server. Then it validates the certificate and uses the public key in the certificate to establish a secure connection. That certificate proves the server’s authenticity, increases security, encrypts the connection, and lets the user trust the website. If the certificate is invalid or expired, the browser will notify the user not to trust the website and often may not even allow the user to visit that particular website. The browser may also stop the user from visiting sites that are not using HTTPS connections.

  2. Zero-Touch

    Zero-Touch Email Encryption automates S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) email PKI deployment across the enterprise. Using S/MIME for email allows both the sender and recipient to use their existing S/MIME-capable email applications, as opposed to other approaches that require users to open a second email application or web portal and disrupt the users’ experience.When it comes to deployment, users typically go through a cumbersome and error-prone process of downloading and installing S/MIME certificates onto their email client. In contrast, Zero-Touch Email Encryption enables users to deploy PKI with a single click. It automatically publishes certificates to the corporate global address list, eliminating the need for users to back up their keys and removing certificate renewal headaches.

  3. Code Signing

    Code Signing certificates enable developers to digitally sign applications and software programs to verify the source of the file and ensure that it has not been altered in any way. Unlike some other code-signing products, the entire software lifecycle is supported, from managing approval to signing operations to subsequent maintenance. Code Signing supports 32-bit or 64-bit code and all file types, including drivers, firmware, scripts, and applications. With enterprise-scale issuance, management, and renewal/revocation/replacement features, development teams gain greater cryptographic flexibility and improved time to market.

  4. IoT (Internet of Things)

    The IoT Platform combines comprehensive hardening technology for embedded devices with third-party certificate issuance and management purpose-built for the Internet of Things. The IoT Platform includes embedded security solutions for device hardening, such as secure boot, embedded firewalls, TPM integration, and secure firmware updates with alerts. It also includes certificate issuance and management from cloud-native or on-premise CAs, specifically designed for IoT.

How can Encryption Consulting help?

Encryption Consulting’s PKI Services and PKI-as-a-service can help you manage your PKI and secure the digital network of your organization. We can design, implement, manage, and migrate your PKI systems according to your specific needs. Managing PKI can seem daunting with the increase in the number of cyber threats. But you can rest assured because our experienced staff will help you build and monitor your PKI. We can assess your PKI based on our custom framework, providing you with best practices for PKI and HSM deployments.

Conclusion

Understanding both the potential risks and wide-ranging use cases is crucial for maximizing the benefits of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) while safeguarding against its inherent vulnerabilities. By issuing and managing digital certificates, PKI facilitates secure authentication, encryption, and communication, enhancing overall cybersecurity posture. However, effective implementation of PKI necessitates meticulous key management, vigilant certificate issuance practices, and robust security measures to mitigate risks such as key compromise and rogue certificate issuance.

What are Digital Certificates?

Digital certificates are an important component of the modern world’s online security, facilitating the encryption of data transmission and verifying the identity of individuals, websites, and organisations. There are several types of digital certificates, each serving a specific purpose. These certificates serve the same purpose as identity cards like a driver’s license or passport. They identify themselves to others and give them reason to believe they are who they claim to be. 

When a user connects to a website via HTTPS, asymmetric encryption is used. For that to happen, the user uses the server’s public key to initiate the connection. To confirm the authenticity of that public key, certificates are used. The certificate will have details such as who does this certificate belong to, who issued it, a serial number, expiration date and the public key.

Key Components of a Digital Certificate

A digital certificate includes the certificate recipient’s name, a serial number, validity period, a duplicate of the recipient’s public key for encrypting messages and digital signatures, and the digital signature from the certificate-issuing authority (CA). This allows the recipient to authenticate the certificate’s authenticity. 

Types of Digital Certificates

  1. SSL/TLS Certificates

    These are the most well-known types of digital certificates. They are used to secure website connections by enabling HTTPS encryption. SSL/TLS certificates validate the identity of a website’s server and encrypt the data transmitted between the server and the user’s browser. There are different levels of validation for these certificates, including Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV).

  2. Code Signing Certificates

    Software developers use Code signing certificates to sign their applications and code. It is crucial for ensuring the integrity and authenticity of software downloads.

  3. Client Certificates

    Unlike server certificates that verify the identity of servers to clients, client certificates verify the identity of clients to servers. They are used when strong authentication is required, such as accessing secure networks or systems.

  4. Email Certificates (S/MIME Certificates)

    These certificates encrypt email messages and digitally sign emails. They help ensure an email comes from the claimed sender and hasn’t been altered during transmission.

  5. Wildcard Certificates

    A wildcard certificate can be used for multiple subdomains of a single domain. For example, a single wildcard certificate for “*.example.com” would cover “www.example.com,” “mail.example.com,” and so on.

  6. Self-Signed Certificates 

    These certificates are generated and signed by the entity they belong to rather than by a trusted third-party Certificate Authority (CA). They are typically used for testing and internal purposes but are not recommended for securing public-facing websites due to the lack of third-party validation.

  7. Root Certificates 

    They are at the top of the certificate hierarchy. They belong to Certificate Authorities (CAs) and are used to sign other certificates. Trust in a root certificate is crucial for the entire certificate chain to be trusted.

Who Can Issue A Digital Certificate?

Certificate Authorities (CAs) or sometimes self-signed entities are responsible for issuing Digital Certificates. Certificate Authorities are trusted third-party organisations that establish trust online by vouching for the authenticity of the certificates they issue. 

It’s important to note that public CAs undergo strict audits and verification processes to ensure their trustworthiness. When obtaining a digital certificate from a public CA, the CA will typically verify the requester’s identity using domain, organisation, or extended validation methods. This verification process helps ensure that the certificates issued are reliable and secure. 

What are the benefits of Using a Digital Certificate?

  1. Data Encryption 

    Digital certificates establish secure connections by encrypting data transmitted between a user’s device and a server. This encryption ensures that sensitive information, such as login credentials, personal data, and financial details, remains confidential and cannot be easily intercepted by malicious actors.

  2. Integrity

    Digital signatures applied to data using certificates provide a mechanism to ensure the integrity of the data. If tampering or modification occurs during transmission, the digital signature will become invalid, indicating potential unauthorised alterations.

  3. Trust

     Using digital certificates issued by reputable Certificate Authorities (CAs), websites, and applications can establish user trust. Web browsers and devices come pre-installed with a list of trusted CAs, allowing users to recognise whether a site’s certificate is valid and properly authenticated.

  4. Secure Transactions and Email Security

    E-commerce and online banking heavily rely on digital certificates to secure financial transactions. Certificates ensure that sensitive payment information is encrypted and that users interact with legitimate websites, reducing data breaches and the risk of credit card fraud. Digital certificates are used in email communications to sign and encrypt messages. It helps verify the sender’s identity, prevents email spoofing, and ensures that the content of the email remains confidential.

  5. Code Integrity

    Software developers use code signing certificates to sign their applications and code digitally. It assures users that unauthorised parties have not tampered with or altered the software, increasing user confidence in downloading and using it.

  6. Global Accessibility

    Digital certificates are universally recognised and accepted, allowing secure communication and transactions across geographical and organisational boundaries.

  7. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

    Digital certificates are a foundational component of PKI, which provides a framework for secure communication and authentication in various online systems. PKI’s hierarchical structure enhances security and trust across the internet.

What are the limitations of Using a Digital Certificate?

  1. Certificate Revocation

     In cases where a private key is compromised or a certificate needs to be invalidated, revoking a certificate can be cumbersome and may not be immediately effective. It could leave a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit compromised certificates.

  2. Expiration Dates

    Digital certificates have expiration dates to ensure security by prompting regular renewal. However, if certificates are renewed on time, services can become available, disrupting users.

  3. Dependency on PKI Infrastructure

     The entire system of digital certificates relies on the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). If there are vulnerabilities or issues with the PKI infrastructure, it can undermine the security of the certificate system.

  4. Browser and Device Compatibility 

    Some older web browsers and devices might not properly support the latest encryption algorithms and certificate types. This leads to compatibility issues for users accessing websites with newer certificates.

  5. Mis-issued Certificates 

    In some instances, CAs might issue certificates without proper verification, leading to unauthorised entities obtaining valid certificates. It can be exploited in man-in-the-middle attacks and other security breaches.

  6. Cost

    Obtaining digital certificates from trusted CAs can involve costs, particularly for higher validation and extended validation certificates. While some free options like Let’s Encrypt exist, they might have limitations or might not meet the needs of all organisations.

  7. Human Error

    Misconfigurations or mistakes in deploying or managing certificates can result in security vulnerabilities. Forgetting to renew certificates, incorrectly configuring encryption protocols, or misplacing private keys are common examples of human errors.

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How can Encryption Consulting help?

Encryption Consulting provides a specialized Certificate Lifecycle management solution CertSecure Manager. From discovery and inventory to issuance, deployment, renewal, revocation, and reporting. CertSecure provides an all-encompassing solution. Intelligent report generation, alerting, automation, automatic deployment onto servers, and certificate enrollment add layers of sophistication, making it a versatile and intelligent asset.

Conclusion

An integral component of the global cybersecurity architecture is digital certificates, which are supported by CAs’ integrity. They are the unseen watchdogs ensuring our internet conversations are safe, reliable, and confidential.

The importance of digital certificates in promoting trust and security in the digital environment becomes crucial as cyber threats develop. Partnering with knowledgeable advisors is essential for firms trying to navigate this difficult subject and secure the highest level of safety. Leading this digital revolution, Encryption Consulting LLC provides knowledge and advice on efficiently using and administering digital certificates. Contact Encryption Consulting LLC right now to advance your cybersecurity plan. 

Why are Digital Certificates Important?

Importance of Digital Certificates in the PKI environment

Digital certificates are critical to any environment as they possess a greater degree of authorization with them. With this authorization power, it becomes very important to secure them with the utmost care. Many organizations care about certificates that are manually generated; however, they lack auto-enrolled certificates. Since the number of auto-enrolled and manually generated certificates exist in the hundreds of thousand, it becomes a quintessential need for organizations to manage all the certificates (auto-enrolled and manually generated) with the help of automation.

The Role of PKI in Digital Certificate Management

For many customers, the role of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is to process workflow for manually generated certificates and auto-enroll the rest of the certificates through group-policy in the Microsoft PKI environment. Some customers may see auto-enrollment through group-policy as a certificate management feature of PKI, however, when you look in-depth you see that it’s just the functionality provided by the Microsoft PKI environment.

The true definition of certificate as well as key management is when the certificates and keys are managed from enrollment to revocation. This means that both (certificate and keys) are managed through their entire lifecycle process, including inventory and reporting, all the way through the revocation of certificates, when the certificates are no longer needed, or potentially compromised. Skill gap is another factor which contributes to the inefficiency of certificate management as it requires specialized skills to manage the certificate & keys through their entire lifecycle. Based on the above understanding, we can state that it is requisite to monitor the issuance of certificates in your PKI environment to ensure that the certificate issuance process is secure, efficient, and customized as per your organization’s requirement.

Types of Digital Certificates exists in your PKI environment

As we discussed, certificates possess a greater degree of authorization that results in gaining attention from bad actors like criminals with malicious intent, as these certificates provide them an increased level of access or the ability to impersonate a user. One of the most common certificate types that is susceptible to attack are machine certificates, as these are automatically issued to the devices in your network.

There are hundreds of these types of certificates in the environment of an organization that could potentially be a risk in terms of unauthorized access to critical resources such as Wi-Fi access, VPN access, authentication for network access control systems, multi-factor authentication for single-sign-on applications, email encryption, Microsoft Azure WCF services, etc. 

Considerations For Effective Certificate Mangement

The following points should be considered while assessing the certificate management situation in an organization:

  1. The inventory of certificates in your environment is very critical. Also, the pattern of certificate issuance indicates normal or abnormal behavior from the certificate generation perspective.
  2. The issued certificates are used for the purpose for which they are issued. PKI administrators should always keep an eye on their PKI environment for any discrepancy with respect to certificate usage.
  3. As every certificate has a key usage field, this should be correctly chosen, as a misconfigured certificate template in the PKI domain would create complete chaos and might result in organization-wide risk and loss.

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Risk with Unmanaged Certificates

There is a saying that if you can’t see the risk, it doesn’t mean there is none. PKI administrators sometimes ignore the risks based on the fact that they don’t see any immediate problem because of this. Also, some minor issues in the PKI go unnoticed in the initial stage that create bigger issues in the future. To avoid this, PKI admins must have tools deployed to detect and manage these issues in order to establish and maintain a healthy PKI in their environment. 

The following are risk avoidance actions that can be taken by the PKI team for certificate management:

  1. Certificates are issued based on certificate standards that vary with time. This requires the need for continuous audit of your PKI environment and all the certificates issued by the PKI. At times, certificates are issued based on old certificate standards, for example the key length of 2048-bit keys are still active even though the new standard states that a key length of 4096-bit is more secure. PKI admins must have an inventory of all those certificates (with key length of 2048-bit) to address all of them in a single attempt.
    When there is a requirement to replace or re-issue the certificates in bulk, the ability to automate this transaction efficiently can help improve security response time. The same scenario is applicable when a critical vulnerability is identified and the admin must extract the certificate inventory at risk to remediate those within a short span of time.

  2. At times, there are small misconfiguration issues in certificates which can cause critical and large-scale issues. For example, a PKI admin has issued 10,000 certificates with a validity period of 10 years, and later on the validity period has to change based on some compliance policy. Now, there has to be a centralized and quick way to locate these certificates to remove them from the environment to remediate & recover from this situation. It is significant to monitor the certificate issuance process and issuance policies to identify issues. Also, having a monitoring tool in place enables the quick detection of issues if they arise.

  3. Rogue certificates do exist and get issued in the PKI environment. These rogue certificates lead to disastrous results if not dealt with properly. To counter rogue certificates, PKI admins must have an accurate inventory of all the legitimate certificates issued in the PKI environment so that centralized action can be taken, if required, to replace, re-issue, or revoke them.Till now, we have discussed many situations that may happen in any organization and could lead to unexpected results or outcomes. These include PKI issues, skill gaps on PKI, and lack of centralized management for digital certificate and key lifecycles. Effective management of all digital certificates and keys in a PKI environment requires the appropriate management tool and resources in place to mitigate the risks associated with PKI expeditiously and reliably.

How can Encryption Consulting help?

Encryption Consulting provides a specialized Certificate Lifecycle management solution CertSecure Manager. From discovery and inventory to issuance, deployment, renewal, revocation, and reporting. CertSecure provides an all-encompassing solution. Intelligent report generation, alerting, automation, automatic deployment onto servers, and certificate enrollment add layers of sophistication, making it a versatile and intelligent asset.

What is an Extended Validation (EV) Certificate?

An Extended Validation Certificate (EV Certificate) stands as a distinguished SSL/TLS Certificate, demanding robust efforts from Certificate Authorities (CAs) for validation. Verifying an Extended Validation SSL Certificate involves meticulous, globally standardised identity checks. These checks confirm the domain’s exclusive usage rights, validate its legal, operational, and physical existence, and verify the entity’s authorisation for certificate issuance. The resulting certificate encapsulates this verified identity information. 

Overview

When acquiring an EV certificate, CAs require domain owners to furnish supplementary documentation, including signed authorisation forms, subscriber agreements, and business validation materials. This stringent approach ensures that EV certificates uphold superior trust and security. The verification process encompasses the domain owner’s name, legal status, operational details, physical presence, and more. These facets are meticulously reviewed by a verification partner, culminating in a successful validation process. The outcome is a fully certified EV certificate, visually represented by the organisation’s name in the browser’s address bar. 

It’s important to note that EV certificates contrast other certificate types, such as Organization Validation (OV) and Domain Validation (DV) certificates. These certificates do not undergo the same comprehensive verification process. For instance, with DV certificates, domain ownership is established without demonstrating administrative control. Similarly, the verification process for OV certificates is less extensive, focusing primarily on the identity information of the website operator. 

The meticulous verification procedures associated with EV certificates contribute to a heightened level of authentication for SSL/TLS certificates. As a result, visitors to websites equipped with EV certificates can place a substantial degree of trust in the security and legitimacy of the site. 

Types of Extended Validation Certificates

EV certificates are of three types:

  • Single Domain EV Certificate

    These certificates are used to secure only one domain. These are ideal for small online stores and websites.

  • Multi-Domain EV Certificates

    These certificates are used to protect subdomains and multiple domains. These certificates can be used for complex websites.

  • Code Signing

    These certificates are used by developers to secure their products by digitally signing them. Learn more about code signing.

Validity Period of EV Certificates  

Like other SSL/TLS certificates, EV certificates have a validity period during which they are considered valid. This period is typically one or two years, after which the certificate needs to be renewed. 

Benefits of Extended Validation SSL Certificates

The primary idea behind extended validation SSL certificates is to provide a high level of trust and security than most regular SSL certificates. Because enterprise websites generally deal with highly protected client data, this makes them an excellent choice for protecting them. The following are some major advantages of using EV SSL certificates:

  • Assurance at a Higher Level

    EV SSL Certificates offer a high confidence level than Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates. Before a certificate is issued, EV verification requires the CA to confirm the organization’s legal identity, physical presence, and operational existence. Whereas DV Certificates have no identifying information in the organization name field, the end-user cannot trust the certificate to validate who is on the other end, even though they technically allow encrypted transaction. The process of EV certificate verification includes:

    • The user making the request has the legal right to use the domain.
    • The requestor has authorized their permission for the certificate to be issued.
    • The requestor’s physical existence and legal status.
    • Whether the entity identifies corresponds to official records.

  • Protect Against Phishing Attacks

    Scams on the internet have become more complex and well-coordinated, reducing consumer confidence, critical to online business. Hackers utilize a variety of methods to collect personal and sensitive information through phishing. Due to the strict validation standards for EV Certificates, a hacker would never be able to pass all of the checks, making fake EV Certificates extremely unlikely. In the following ways, the EV certificate counteracts these attacks:

    • The Extended Validation standards demand that the party requesting the certificate be thoroughly vetted. Because phishing sites, by their nature, involve identity theft, this vetting prohibits a criminal from obtaining a certificate in the spoofing target’s name.
    • When an EV certificate is active, the green bar indicator is prominent at the top of the browser. Having the EV certificate on the web page makes the faked page’s absence noticeable. Since phishing aims to replicate the real site as accurately as possible, providing this experience gap is a great way to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent sites.
    • If a phisher submitted an EV certificate by any chance, the green bar contains the company’s name. Because the phisher will not have a corporation with the same name and address as your favourite bank, merchant, brokerage, or other institution, the game will be obvious immediately away.

  • Fulfill Compliance Requirements

    EV SSL certificates are required or recommended by some standards, such as PCI DSS, etc. In addition, many regulations, including HIPAA and others, require that organizations take all reasonable precautions to protect PII, PHI, and other sensitive data from theft. Using EV SSL certificates is an excellent approach to indicate that you have taken all possible precautions to protect this information.

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Cons of using Extended Validation SSL Certificates

The following are the disadvantages of using EV certificates:

  • They are more costly.
  • They are often valid for a short period.
  • The efforts and time required to complete the validation procedure.

You may decide not to use EV certificates if you have many websites published on the Internet. But still, it would be better if you considered them for sites like your online store.
EV certificates are very dependent on the user. Leaving your security in the hands of the user is not a good idea. Every time a user visits a site, we should not expect them to validate the identification of the organization owner and the domain manually and correctly. For Extended Validation certificates to be effective, some technical restrictions should be enforced without relying on the user.

What is the Purpose of an Extended Validation SSL Certificate?

Regardless of the benefits of using EV certificates, EV certificates are not for everyone. Organizations must evaluate the added value of these certificates. They are perfect for high-profile websites that are frequently targeted by phishing attacks, such as major shops, banks, financial institutions, or government bodies with public-facing websites. All services that require higher identity assurance and enhanced confidence can use EV SSL Certificates. For example, high-profile websites, such as bank sites, financial institutions, etc., can use EV SSL Certificates, which are frequently targeted for phishing attacks, for their public-facing websites. As well as any website that collects data, processes logins, or accepts online payments can benefit from displaying their verified brand identity.

Is it worth to invest in a more expensive Extended Validation SSL certificate?

An EV SSL Certificate costs more than an Organization Validation (OV) or Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificate because it is the most advanced and secure SSL Certificate available today. These SSL Certificates are slightly more expensive because they require a thorough verification by the CA, which takes time and resources. So, a question arises, is it worth spending on an EV SSL certificate? And the answer is:

If your company is developing and want to increase client confidence, it is worth investing in an EV SSL Certificate. While EV certificates are used for financial institutions and large organizations, they may be a viable option for a medium-sized business looking to boost client confidence and conversion rates.

What are the benefits of EV over DV(Domain Validation) certificates? 

Extended Validation (EV) and Domain Validated (DV) certificates are two different levels of SSL/TLS certificates used to secure websites and establish trust with users. EV certificates provide a higher level of assurance and security compared to DV certificates. Here are some benefits of using Extended Validation (EV) certificates over Domain Validated (DV) certificates:

  1. Enhanced Trust and Credibility

    2. EV certificates undergo a more rigorous validation process than DV certificates. With an EV certificate, the Certificate Authority (CA) verifies the requesting entity’s legal existence, physical location, and identity. It results in higher trust and credibility for users visiting the website. The organisation’s name is prominently displayed in the browser’s address bar, signalling to users that the website has been thoroughly authenticated.

  2. Visible Trust Indicators

    3. EV certificates trigger visible trust indicators in web browsers. When people visit a website secured with an EV certificate, the browser’s address bar turns green and displays the organisation’s name, indicating a highly secure and validated connection. This visual cue reassures users that they are interacting with a legitimate and trustworthy website.

  3. Mitigation of Phishing and Fraud

    4. EV certificates are particularly effective in mitigating phishing attacks. Since EV certificates require thorough identity verification, malicious actors are less likely to obtain EV certificates for fraudulent purposes. It makes it more difficult for attackers to create convincing phishing sites that imitate legitimate organisations.

  4. Higher Security Standards

    5. The validation process for EV certificates involves more stringent requirements, reducing the likelihood of an EV certificate being issued to entities with malicious intent. It helps maintain a higher standard of security and authenticity for websites using EV certificates.

  5. Protection Against Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

    6. While both EV and DV certificates provide encryption, the added visual verification of an EV certificate reduces the risk of users unknowingly connecting to malicious servers during man-in-the-middle attacks.

  6. Regulatory and Compliance Requirements

    7. Some industries and jurisdictions have specific regulatory requirements for securing online transactions and protecting user data. EV certificates can help organisations meet these compliance standards due to their higher level of authentication.

In 2016, Troy Hunt accurately highlighted that the efficacy of Extended Validation (EV) certificates relies on individuals’ and entities’ perceptions of their worth and proactive efforts to ensure security. Fast forward to a later period, and he is now considering that the era of relying solely on EV certificates is no longer as relevant. 

However, even in this evolving landscape, Encryption Consulting is a steadfast advocate for comprehensive security solutions. While the perception of EV certificates has shifted, their significance persists in certain contexts. Encryption Consulting recognises the multifaceted nature of certificate management and supports various certificates, including EV certificates. 

Yet, the true power lies in the convenience of automated certificate lifecycle management. Encryption Consulting not only acknowledges the diversity of certificate types but also provides the means to uncover, oversee, and automate all certificates across your organisation. Our advanced system facilitates the transition from a reactive approach to a proactive stance. Through comprehensive automated management of public key infrastructure (PKI) and certificates, organisations can confidently navigate the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. 

At Encryption Consulting, we remain committed to empowering organisations with the tools to enhance security, adapt to changing norms, and stay ahead of threats. Whether it’s EV certificates or other certificates, our solutions are designed to cater to your specific needs and ensure a secure digital future.

How can Encryption Consulting help?

Encryption Consulting provides a specialized Certificate Lifecycle management solution CertSecure Manager. From discovery and inventory to issuance, deployment, renewal, revocation, and reporting. CertSecure provides an all-encompassing solution. Intelligent report generation, alerting, automation, automatic deployment onto servers, and certificate enrollment add layers of sophistication, making it a versatile and intelligent asset.

 

What is a Self-Signed Certificate? Advantages, Disadvantages & Risks

Introduction

Authentication and security are the focus of the SSL/TLS protocol. Data communications across open networks can be encrypted with this technology, protecting against alteration and interception by malicious parties.

A self-signed certificate is a digital certificate issued by the person or entity creating the certificate rather than by a trusted third-party certificate authority. This means that the certificate is not backed by a well-known and trusted third party, so it may not be considered as secure as a certificate issued by a trusted authority. S/MIME certificates, code signing certificates, and SSL/TLS certificates are examples of these.

In simpler words, A self-signed certificate is neither privately nor publicly certified by a CA. Instead of seeking the certificate from a public or private CA, it is signed using its private key.

Self-signed SSL certificates usually referred to as private SSL certificates, are what the phrase “self-signed certificates” most frequently refers to. However, as we explained, the phrase also refers to other X.509 digital certificates.

How long are Self-Signed Certificates valid? 

The duration of effectiveness for self-signed certificates usually spans from a few days to several years, as set by the entity creating the certificate. 

How do I know if a certificate is self-signed? 

Examine the issuer section within the certificate particulars. If the issuer matches the subject (or if a trusted CA doesn’t acknowledge the issuer), there’s a likelihood that it’s a self-signed certificate to ascertain whether a certificate is self-signed. 

Benefits of using Self-signed SSL Certificates

  • Self-signed certificates are fast, free, and easy to issue.
  • Self-signed certificates are appropriate for development/testing environments and internal network websites.
  • Self-signed Certificates are simple to modify or customize; for instance, they can carry more metadata or have greater key sizes.
  • There are zero dependencies on others for the issuance of certificates, which saves time for testing purposes.

Self-Signed Certificates in a DevOps environment 

In a DevOps environment, self-signed certificates play a significant role in ensuring secure communication between different components and stages of the continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. Self-signed certificates are certificates that are generated and signed by the same entity they are used for, without involving a certificate authority (CA). They are commonly used for internal purposes and testing scenarios, where acquiring certificates from a CA might be unnecessary or time-consuming.

Self-signed certificates can be rapidly generated, making them suitable for testing purposes. In a fast-paced DevOps environment, where quick iterations are vital, self-signed certificates enable teams to set up secure connections without waiting for CA-issued certificates. DevOps often involves the use of isolated environments for different stages of development, testing, and production. Self-signed certificates allow each environment to have its own certificates, minimizing the risk of cross-environment issues. Self-signed certificates are free to create and use, which can be especially beneficial for smaller projects or startups with limited budgets. This can help teams avoid unnecessary expenses when setting up secure connections within their CI/CD pipelines. 

The use of self-signed certificates can align well with the rapid iterations and deployments characteristic of CI/CD pipelines. In testing and development stages, self-signed certificates offer a pragmatic approach to secure communication. However, as the pipeline progresses to production, considerations regarding trust, security, and potential bottlenecks must be considered. 

Security Risks and Need of PKI as a Service

So, the question is, despite so many security risks, why do developers still use Self-signed certificates? The answer is agility and easiness of process. The process of manually submitting a certificate signing request (CSR), waiting hours for verification, and then signing takes much time for them. So, it makes sense for developers to choose self-signed certificates or built-in CAs like HashiCorp Vault or Kubernetes to save time.

Although self-signed certificates make it simple and quick for developers to get certificates, they frequently mess around with the security measures required to protect the network. So, setting up self-signed CAs to issue many certificates is not recommended. Here PKI as a service comes into the picture as it balances security and usability.  PKI Operations team may quickly request and issue certificates through self-service workflows, eliminating the need for self-signed certificates. Certificates are issued from a trusted, securely rooted PKI, eliminating risks.

To know more about the Certificates, their risks, and the implementation of self-service PKI workflows, you can request a demo here.

Regulatory and Compliance Considerations 

Employing self-signed certificates within the framework of industry regulations and standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS can lead to compliance-related consequences. These standards highlight the importance of safeguarding data, ensuring privacy, and enhancing security. The utilization of self-signed certificates might bring about difficulties that require thorough examination and resolution. GDPR mandates strong data protection measures for the personal data of EU citizens. Using self-signed certificates can potentially affect compliance if they lead to data breaches or unauthorized access due to lack of proper security controls.

HIPAA enforces strict security standards for protecting healthcare-related data. If self-signed certificates are not properly managed and secured, they could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of patient health information. PCI DSS is aimed at securing payment card data. Self-signed certificates might not meet the stringent requirements for secure transmission and storage of payment card information, potentially jeopardizing compliance. 

In a compliance-focused setting, the utilization of self-signed certificates necessitates a thorough examination of the possible difficulties and strategies to tackle them. Although self-signed certificates can be effective within restricted conditions, it’s essential to harmonize their application with the mandates of sector rules and benchmarks. When required, enhance the employment of self-signed certificates with additional security measures to guarantee the safeguarding of data, confidentiality, and adherence to regulations. 

Open-Source vs Commercial Solutions 

Open source and commercial self-signed SSL certificates refer to two different aspects of SSL/TLS certificates. Let’s break down each term and compare them:

Open-Source Self-Signed SSL Certificates

  • Open-source software refers to software whose source code is made available to the public, allowing anyone to view, modify, and distribute the code.
  • Self-signed SSL certificates are digital certificates that are signed by the entity they belong to. They are not issued by a trusted third-party Certificate Authority (CA).

Advantages of Open-Source Self-Signed SSL Certificates

  • Cost

    Open-source software is usually free to use, so there are no costs associated with acquiring the software.

  • Customization

    You have control over the software and can modify it to suit your specific needs.

  • Security

    You can audit the source code to ensure there are no vulnerabilities or backdoors.

Disadvantages of Open-Source Self-Signed SSL Certificates

  • Trust

    Since self-signed certificates aren’t issued by a trusted CA, they will trigger security warnings in web browsers, potentially causing trust issues for users.

  • Complexity

    Setting up and managing self-signed certificates can be more complex, especially for non-technical users.

Commercial Self-Signed SSL Certificates

  • Commercial SSL certificates refer to certificates provided by a commercial Certificate Authority. These certificates are signed by a trusted third-party CA.
  • Self-signed certificates obtained from a commercial CA mean that the certificate itself is self-signed but has been issued by a well-known CA. This is less common and is typically used for specific use cases.

Advantages of Open-Source Self-Signed SSL Certificates

  • Trust

    Browsers and devices already trust certificates from well-established CAs, so there are no browser warnings.

  • Simplicity

    Using certificates from a trusted CA simplifies the process, as you don’t have to deal with creating, managing, and distributing your own root certificates.

  • Widely Recognised

    Commercial CA certificates are recognized by most browsers, making them universally compatible.

Disadvantages of Open-Source Self-Signed SSL Certificates

  • Cost

    Commercial SSL certificates usually come with a cost, which can vary depending on the level of validation and features.

  • Dependence

    You’re dependent on the CA’s infrastructure and policies.

This is where CertSecure Manager comes to the rescue. It combines the benefits of both open-source and commercial self-signed SSL Certificates. CertSecure Manager offers a unified platform for managing digital certificates across diverse environments. 

As the number of digital certificates in use continues to rise, manual management becomes inefficient and error prone. Automated certificate management platforms have gained traction to alleviate these challenges. These platforms enable organizations to centrally manage and automate the lifecycle of certificates, from issuance and renewal to revocation. Traditional centralized identity systems have limitations, such as single points of failure and privacy concerns.

Decentralized identity solutions leverage blockchain technology to provide individuals with greater control over their identity and personal data. DevSecOps aims to integrate security practices into the DevOps process. Certificates are a crucial aspect of security, enabling encrypted communication and authentication. Integrating certificate management into DevSecOps workflows ensures that security measures are seamlessly integrated into the development and deployment pipeline. This integration involves automating the provisioning and renewal of certificates as part of the overall application lifecycle. 

The management of certificates is experiencing a change to stay aligned with the requirements of contemporary information technology and cybersecurity. Essential trends such as automation, decentralized identity solutions, and incorporation into DevSecOps processes are influencing this field. Tools like CertSecure Manager have a crucial function in helping businesses adeptly navigate these trends, ensuring a secure and conforming certificate infrastructure. 

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Disadvantages of using Self-signed SSL Certificates

  • Since a publicly trustworthy CA does not sign self-signed certificates, browsers and operating systems do not trust them. Browsers wouldn’t display the green lock icon or other trust-related visual cues.
  • There will always be a “Accept Risk” prompt in opening websites. To access the content on your website, website visitors must pass via a security warning page with error messages like “error self-signed cert” or “err cert authority invalid,” which will adversely affect the traffic on the website.
  • Self-signed certificates are highly risky for transaction or financial-related websites that handle memberships, subscriptions, or anything like that.
  • Users become vulnerable to data theft and other cyberattacks when attackers create self-signed certificates that can be used in man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.

The biggest challenge with self-signed certificates is the Lack of visibility. We can keep track of certificates issued through Certificate Authority but keeping track of self-signed certificates issued without any official request or approval process is very difficult. There is no way to determine whether a self-signed certificate (and its private key) has been hacked if the business network is compromised.

Another challenge with self-signed certificates is the Complexity of the Revocation of certificates. If a CA-issued certificate is misused or the private keys are compromised, the CA can revoke the certificate quickly, but in the case of self-signed certificates, there is an entire set of procedures that can make lives miserable!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of certificates, including self-signed certificates, presents a complex landscape of security challenges and practical considerations. While self-signed certificates offer agility and ease of use, they come with inherent risks that can compromise the security of your network and user trust. It’s imperative to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages, especially in evolving cybersecurity threats and compliance requirements. 

At Encryption Consulting, we understand the delicate balance between security and usability. We recognise that developers need efficient certificate management solutions that don’t sacrifice security. That’s why we proudly introduce our product, CertSecure Manager. With CertSecure Manager, you gain the power to streamline the issuance, renewal, and revocation of certificates, all while maintaining robust security measures. 

CertSecure Manager offers a comprehensive and user-friendly interface that simplifies the management of certificates, including self-signed certificates, across your network. Our solution mitigates the risks associated with self-signed certificates while enhancing your organisation’s security. With CertSecure Manager, you can effortlessly track certificate usage, automate renewal processes, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. 

Take the proactive step toward efficient and secure certificate management. Request a demo of CertSecure Manager today and discover how our innovative solution can elevate your certificate management practices, providing you with the peace of mind that your network and user data are safeguarded to the highest standards. Your journey to a safer digital landscape begins with Encryption Consulting and CertSecure Manager. 

What is a Wildcard Domain Certificate?

What is a Wildcard Certificate?

A wildcard certificate (like SSL/TLS) is a public key certificate that can protect several subdomains inside a domain and is normally acquired from a trustworthy public Certificate Authority (CA). 

Multiple subdomains for your website can benefit your business but can also be challenging to manage. Multiple SSL/TLS certificates to secure those subdomains increase the complexity, but a wildcard certificate can efficiently resolve this issue. 

A Wildcard certificate can save you time and money compared to managing individual certificates for your subdomains. 

 Wildcards are frequently used in Secure Socket Layers (SSL) certificates to extend SSL encryption to subdomains. A traditional SSL certificate is only valid for a single domain, such as www.domain.com. A *.domain.com wildcard certificate will protect cloud.domain.com, shop.domain.com, mobile.domain.com, and other domains

How Does Wildcard SSL Certificate Work? 

Wildcard certificates are issued to domains with a wildcard character in their hostname, represented by an asterisk (*). This character can represent an infinite amount of subdomains.

Along with your parent domain, a wildcard certificate can secure any number of subdomains.

For better understanding, let’s take an example:

Suppose an organization has three subdomains:

  • www.encryptionconsulting.com
  • pki.encryptionconsulting.com
  • codesign.encryptionconsulting.com

The organization can purchase only one wildcard certificate instead of having three individual SSL certificates for the above subdomains. In addition to the subdomains that the wildcard certificate already covers, it can also cover more subdomains without any extra charges. 

Wildcard certificates can also be issued as Domain Validated (DV) certificates, which can be provided in a few minutes and require proof of domain ownership. You can also get an Organization Validated (OV) certificate, including your company’s information in the certificate details. It requires a verification process to ensure that your website is legitimate. But cannot be issued as an Extended Validation (EV) Certificate. 

Like other digital certificates, wildcard SSL certificates possess a finite validity period and require effective certificate administration. Upon the expiration of a certificate, it becomes essential to initiate its renewal and substitution across all applicable locations. The absence of certificate renewal makes the associated website(s) inaccessible through HTTPS, presenting visitors with an error message. 

When renewing a wildcard SSL certificate, creating a new Certificate Signing Request (CSR) is necessary, followed by its submission to the designated Certificate Authority (CA). It is imperative to explicitly indicate that the renewal pertains to a wildcard certificate, as this detail will influence the CA’s generation of the new certificate.

Learning from Experience: The Fallout of a Wildcard Certificate Outage 

In May 2018, Epic Games, the company responsible for popular video games like Fortnite and Rocket League, encountered a significant service disruption that resulted in millions of players being unable to log in and connect. The underlying cause? An expired wildcard SSL certificate. 

This certificate, implemented across numerous production services within AWS, had far-reaching consequences due to its expiration. The outage led to widespread inconvenience and irritation among gamers, prompting many to express dissatisfaction on social media platforms. 

This occurrence underscores a potential drawback associated with wildcard certificates. Because these certificates secure numerous subdomains using a single certificate, the expiration of one certificate can trigger extensive disruptions across various services. 

For those employing wildcard certificates, it’s crucial to meticulously monitor the expiration date and renew it promptly to pre-empt potential complications. The recovery process for Epic Games took approximately five and a half hours to complete. Remarkably, the company openly shared the particulars of their experience as a teachable moment for others in the industry, and they acted swiftly to rectify the situation. 

Benefits of using Wildcard SSL Certificates

Wildcard SSL certificates can be very beneficial for organizations looking to secure several subdomains while maintaining flexibility. The following are some advantages of using wildcard certificates:

  • Secure any number of subdomains

    Without having different SSL certificates for each subdomain, a single wildcard SSL certificate can cover as many subdomains as you want.

  • Straightforward Certificate Administration

    Individual SSL certificates must be deployed and managed properly to secure an increasing number of public-facing domains, cloud workloads, and devices. But by using a single wildcard certificate, you can manage unlimited domains that make certificate management simpler.

  • Cost-cutting

    A wildcard certificate costs more than an ordinary SSL certificate, but it becomes a cost-effective alternative compared to the overall cost of securing all of your subdomains with their certificate.

  • Fast and Flexible Implementation

    A wildcard certificate is a great way to build new sites on new subdomains that your existing certificate can cover. There’s no need to wait for a new SSL certificate that saves your time and speeds up your time to market.

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Risk of Using Wildcard Certificates

Wildcard certificates are frequently used to cover all domains with the same registered root, making administration straightforward. However, because the same private key is used across numerous systems, the freedom that comes with using wildcard certificates also comes with severe security risks:

  • Web Server Security

    If one server or sub-domain gets hacked, all sub-domains may be hacked as well.

  • Access To Private Key

    If the private key of a wildcard certificate gets compromised then the hacker can impersonate any domain for the wildcard certificate.

  • Fake Certificates:

    Attackers can fool a certificate authority (CA) into issuing a wildcard certificate for a bogus organization. Once the attacker gets the fictitious company’s wildcard certificates, they can set up subdomains and phishing sites.

  • Certificate Management

    All sub-domains will require a new certificate if the wildcard certificate gets revoked.

How can Encryption Consulting help?

Encryption Consulting provides a specialized Certificate Lifecycle management solution CertSecure Manager. From discovery and inventory to issuance, deployment, renewal, revocation, and reporting. CertSecure provides an all-encompassing solution. Intelligent report generation, alerting, automation, automatic deployment onto servers, and certificate enrollment add layers of sophistication, making it a versatile and intelligent asset.

Conclusion

In essence, while wildcard certificates might find applicability in specific scenarios, it is advisable to steer clear of their use in most cases. If you opt to acquire a wildcard certificate, generating and safeguarding the private key securely becomes paramount. Additionally, maintaining a comprehensive overview of all deployment points for the certificate is vital to guarantee timely renewal and substitution before its expiration