Skip to main content

openssl


Linux Security: Enhancing Certificates and Secure Connections
In the realm of ethical hacking and penetration testing, ensuring the security of communication channels is paramount. In this article, we'll explore advanced options for managing certificates and establishing secure connections on Linux systems.

Certificate Signing Request (CSR) Creation
When dealing with certificates, initiating a new Certificate Signing Request (CSR) is a common task. The openssl command provides a robust set of options to accomplish this securely. Let's break down the key options used in the example:
  • req: Initiates a new certificate signing request.
  • -newkey rsa:2048: Generates a new private key using RSA encryption with a 2,048-bit key length.
  • -nodes: Stores the private key without passphrase protection for automation purposes.
  • -keyout: Specifies the file to which the private key should be saved.
  • -x509: Outputs a self-signed certificate instead of a certificate request.
  • -days: Sets the validity period of the certificate in days.
  • -out: Specifies the file to which the certificate should be saved.
Example: Creating a Self-Signed Certificate

openssl req -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout secure_key.key -x509 -days 365 -out secure_cert.crt

Password Hash Generation
Security extends beyond certificates, and managing password hashes is a crucial aspect. Generating a password hash can be accomplished using the following openssl command:

openssl passwd <password>

This command ensures the secure generation of password hashes, which is essential for safeguarding sensitive information.

Secure Connection Establishment
Establishing secure connections is a fundamental task for an ethical hacker or penetration tester. The following example demonstrates how to connect securely to an HTTPS service using the openssl s_client command:

openssl s_client -connect <target.site>:443

Replace <target.site> with the actual target site to establish a secure connection and inspect the server's SSL/TLS certificate details.

By incorporating these advanced openssl commands into your security toolkit, you can fortify your Linux system's defenses and ensure secure communication channels in various ethical hacking and penetration testing scenarios. Always prioritize the confidentiality and integrity of your data to uphold the highest ethical standards in your security endeavors.

Popular posts from this blog

Open eClass – CVE-2024-26503: Unrestricted File Upload Leads to Remote Code Execution

During an assessment, I identified a severe security vulnerability within Open eClass, an e-learning platform extensively utilized across educational institutions, notably within Greece, where it is deployed by virtually all Greek Universities and educational entities. Open eClass, developed by GUnet (Greek Universities Network), is instrumental in delivering asynchronous e-learning services. The vulnerability, cataloged under CVE-2024-26503, involves an unrestricted file upload flaw that enables remote code execution (RCE), impacting versions 3.15 and earlier of the platform. This critical security lapse presents a significant risk, potentially allowing unauthorized access and control over the system, thereby compromising the integrity and security of the educational infrastructure. Affected Versions: ●   version <=  3.15 CVSSv3.1 Base Score: 9.1 ( Critical ) CVSSv3.1 Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H Exploitation Guide The vulnerability can be e...
Read more

Chamilo LMS: CVE-2024-27524 & CVE-2024-27525

CVE-2024-27524:  Stored XSS in tickets Severity:  High  (Base Score  7.1 ) CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H   Mitigation: Upgrade to Chamilo LMS 1.11.28 and above. Patch:  https://github.com/chamilo/chamilo-lms/commit/53275c152275958b33a1f87a21843daa52fb543a CVE-2024-27525:  Self XSS in social network Base Score:  Medium  (Base Score  4.6 ) CVSS Vector:  CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L Mitigation: Upgrade to Chamilo LMS 1.11.28 and above. Patch:  https://github.com/chamilo/chamilo-lms/commit/a63e03ef961e7bf2dab56f4ede6f87edef40ba0c Overview This advisory covers the discovery of two vulnerabilities within Chamilo LMS, an open-source learning management system (LMS) widely used across educational institutions. These vulnerabilities—stored cross-site scripting (Stored XSS) and self-cross-site scripting (Self XSS)—pose different levels of security risks but highlight critical consideration...
Read more

How I Use Obsidian for Penetration Testing, CVE Hunting, and Studying

In the ever-evolving realm of cyber security, the tools and techniques at our disposal are as varied as the threats we aim to counteract. Among these tools, note-taking applications play a pivotal role, not just in organizing our thoughts but in streamlining our entire workflow. Today, I'm excited to share how Obsidian, a tool I embraced over two and a half years ago while preparing for my eJPT exam, has become an indispensable ally in my journey through penetration testing, CVE hunting, and continuous learning. If you're not yet familiar with Obsidian, it's a robust note-taking application that operates on a local collection of plain text Markdown files. What sets it apart is its capability to interlink ideas, forming an expansive web of knowledge that is both intuitive and comprehensive to explore. Through considerable customization, I've developed what I consider to be an ideal method for consolidating notes, insights, and projects into a unified workspace. Here'...
Read more