ssl

F5 – kong configuration

techhadoop , , , ,

Configure the F5 Load Balancer with VIP and SSL Certificate

  1. Create a Virtual Server (VIP):
    • Log in to your F5 management console.
    • Navigate to Local Traffic > Virtual Servers > Virtual Server List.
    • Click Create and configure the following:
      • Name: Give the VIP a meaningful name, like Kong_VIP.
      • Destination Address: Specify the IP address for the VIP.
      • Service Port: Set to 443 for HTTPS.
  2. Assign an SSL Certificate to the VIP:
    • Under the SSL Profile (Client) section, select Custom.
    • For Client SSL Profile, choose an existing SSL profile, or create a new one if needed:
      • Go to Local Traffic > Profiles > SSL > Client.
      • Click Create and provide a name, then upload the SSL certificate and key.
    • Assign this SSL profile to your VIP.
  3. Configure Load Balancing Method:
    • Under Load Balancing Method, choose a method that best fits your setup, such as Round Robin or Least Connections.
  4. Set Up Pool and Pool Members:
    • In the Pool section, create or select a pool to add your Kong instances as members:
      • Go to Local Traffic > Pools > Pool List, then Create a new pool.
      • Assign Kong instances as Pool Members using their internal IP addresses and ports (usually port 8000 for HTTP or 8443 for HTTPS if Kong is configured with SSL).
    • Make sure health monitors are set up for these pool members to detect when a Kong instance goes down.

Setup

Whether you need certificates on both the F5 load balancer and the Kong servers depends on how you plan to manage SSL/TLS termination and the level of encryption required for traffic between the F5 and Kong.

Here are two common setups:

1. SSL Termination on the F5 (Most Common)

  • Certificate Location: Only on the F5 load balancer.
  • How It Works: The F5 terminates the SSL connection with clients, decrypts the incoming HTTPS traffic, and forwards it to the Kong servers as plain HTTP traffic.
  • Benefits: Reduces the overhead on Kong servers because they don’t need to handle SSL encryption. It’s simpler to manage as only the F5 requires an SSL certificate.
  • Considerations: Traffic between the F5 and Kong servers is unencrypted, which is typically acceptable in private or secured networks (e.g., within a secure data center or VPC).

Configuration Steps:

  • Install and configure the SSL certificate only on the F5.
  • Set the F5 VIP to listen on HTTPS (port 443).
  • Configure Kong to listen on HTTP (port 8000 or a custom port).

This setup is generally sufficient if Kong instances and the F5 are within a trusted network.

2. End-to-End SSL (SSL Termination on Both F5 and Kong Servers)

  • Certificate Location: On both the F5 load balancer and the Kong servers.
  • How It Works: The F5 terminates the initial SSL connection from the client, but then re-encrypts the traffic before forwarding it to Kong. Kong servers also have SSL certificates, allowing them to decrypt this re-encrypted traffic.
  • Benefits: Ensures encrypted communication all the way from the client to the Kong servers, providing an extra layer of security.
  • Considerations: Requires SSL certificates on both F5 and Kong, and introduces some additional CPU overhead on Kong due to the need to decrypt/encrypt traffic.

Configuration Steps:

  • Install and configure an SSL certificate on the F5 for the VIP, and configure the VIP to listen on HTTPS.
  • Install an SSL certificate on each Kong server (these can be the same certificate as the F5 or separate ones).
  • Configure Kong to listen on HTTPS (port 8443 or another SSL-enabled port).
  • Configure the F5 to forward encrypted traffic to the Kong servers’ HTTPS port.

This approach is beneficial if security policies require end-to-end encryption, especially if the connection between the F5 and Kong instances crosses less secure network segments.

Summary

  • If you’re terminating SSL on the F5 only: A certificate is only required on the F5.
  • If you need end-to-end encryption: SSL certificates are required on both the F5 and each Kong server.

In most enterprise environments, SSL termination on the F5 is sufficient. However, for environments with stringent security requirements, end-to-end SSL provides additional security by ensuring all connections remain encrypted.

mTLS

  • Certificates:
    • The F5 load balancer needs server and client certificates and CA certificates to validate clients (client mTLS) and backend servers (backend mTLS).
    • Backend servers need server certificates and may require a CA certificate to verify the F5’s client certificate.
  • mTLS Setup:
    • For mTLS from the client to the F5, configure the Client SSL Profile on the F5.
    • For mTLS between the F5 and backend servers, configure the Server SSL Profile and set backend servers (like Kong) to require mTLS by validating the F5’s client certificate.

This setup provides mutual authentication between clients, the F5, and backend servers, ensuring secure, verified communication across all components in the chain.

do i need a certificate on both servers and F5 load balancer also how i integrate with mtls ?

For mTLS (mutual TLS) integration with an F5 load balancer and downstream servers like Kong or another backend, it is essential to determine where the certificates are needed and how to configure mTLS for mutual authentication between clients, the F5, and backend servers.

Certificates on Both the F5 Load Balancer and Backend Servers

  1. Certificates on the F5 Load Balancer:
    • The F5 acts as the entry point for client connections and needs a server certificate to handle HTTPS traffic.
    • If using mTLS, the F5 will also need a client certificate and a trusted certificate authority (CA) to validate incoming client certificates.
    • The F5 can be configured to terminate SSL and optionally re-encrypt traffic to backend servers.
  2. Certificates on Backend Servers:
    • For end-to-end encryption (where traffic from the F5 to backend servers remains encrypted), each backend server (e.g., Kong) also needs a server certificate.
    • If mutual TLS is required between the F5 and backend servers, the backend servers also need to verify the client (F5’s) certificate, so you’ll need to import the F5’s client certificate or a shared CA certificate on backend servers.

Configuring mTLS on F5 Load Balancer

Here’s how you can set up mTLS on an F5 load balancer to handle mutual authentication with clients and potentially with backend servers:

1. Configure mTLS Between Client and F5

  • Client SSL Profile:
    • Go to Local Traffic > Profiles > SSL > Client.
    • Create a Client SSL Profile for the VIP and enable Client Certificate Authentication by selecting Require under Client Certificate.
    • Import or reference a CA certificate that you trust to sign client certificates. This CA will validate client certificates.
  • Assign SSL Profile to VIP:
    • Attach this client SSL profile to the VIP handling client requests.
    • The F5 will now require clients to present a valid certificate from the specified CA to establish a secure connection.

2. mTLS Between F5 and Backend Servers (Optional)

If you want end-to-end mTLS (client to F5 and F5 to backend):

  • Server SSL Profile:
    • Go to Local Traffic > Profiles > SSL > Server.
    • Create a Server SSL Profile and enable the Authenticate option to require the backend server to present a valid certificate.
    • Specify a trusted CA certificate to validate the backend server’s certificate.
  • Assign Server SSL Profile to Pool:
    • Attach this server SSL profile to the backend pool so that the F5 will establish an mTLS connection when connecting to each backend server.

Backend Server Configuration (e.g., Kong)

If Kong is the backend server, configure Kong to:

  • Present a server certificate to the F5 for mutual authentication.
  • Verify client certificates if mTLS is required from F5 to Kong:
    • Set client_ssl = on and configure ssl_client_certificate to reference the CA certificate or client certificates you trust.

Example snippet for kong.conf:

client_ssl = on

ssl_cert = /path/to/server.crt

ssl_cert_key = /path/to/server.key

ssl_client_certificate = /path/to/ca.crt  # This will be used to verify F5’s client certificate

Summary

  • Certificates:
    • The F5 load balancer needs server and client certificates and CA certificates to validate clients (client mTLS) and backend servers (backend mTLS).
    • Backend servers need server certificates and may require a CA certificate to verify the F5’s client certificate.
  • mTLS Setup:
    • For mTLS from the client to the F5, configure the Client SSL Profile on the F5.
    • For mTLS between the F5 and backend servers, configure the Server SSL Profile and set backend servers (like Kong) to require mTLS by validating the F5’s client certificate.

This setup provides mutual authentication between clients, the F5, and backend servers, ensuring secure, verified communication across all components in the chain.

setup both SSL and mTLS

Yes, you can absolutely have a setup with both SSL termination and mTLS on the F5 load balancer. Here’s how the setup would work, allowing for both standard SSL connections (for regular HTTPS traffic) and mTLS (for additional security and mutual authentication) on the same VIP.

Mixed SSL and mTLS on F5

The configuration would involve:

  1. Standard SSL Termination for clients that only need secure (HTTPS) connections.
  2. mTLS configuration for clients requiring mutual authentication (client certificate verification).

Steps to Set Up SSL and mTLS on F5

1. Configure VIP for SSL Termination with Optional mTLS

  1. Create a Client SSL Profile for Standard SSL:
    • Go to Local Traffic > Profiles > SSL > Client.
    • Create a new Client SSL profile for the VIP.
    • Import and assign the server certificate and private key for the F5 load balancer, enabling standard SSL termination for incoming HTTPS requests.
    • Set Client Certificate to Ignore or Optional for this profile. This setting allows both clients that do not have a client certificate and clients with a certificate to connect securely.
  2. Create an Additional Client SSL Profile for mTLS:
    • Create a second Client SSL Profile specifically for mTLS.
    • Assign the F5’s server certificate and private key as before.
    • Set Client Certificate to Require and specify the CA certificate that will validate incoming client certificates.
    • In Configuration > Authentication, select Require or Request to mandate client certificate validation for mTLS connections.
  3. Attach Both SSL Profiles to the VIP:
    • Attach both the standard SSL profile and mTLS SSL profile to the same VIP.
    • The F5 will now support both types of SSL connections (standard and mTLS) for incoming traffic.

2. Backend SSL Configuration (Optional)

If you want end-to-end SSL or mTLS between the F5 and backend servers:

  1. Create a Server SSL Profile for Backend SSL:
    • Go to Local Traffic > Profiles > SSL > Server and create a new Server SSL Profile.
    • Specify a trusted CA certificate if backend servers require validation of the F5’s certificate for mTLS.
    • Attach this Server SSL Profile to the backend pool so the F5 will establish an encrypted connection to the backend servers.
    • For mutual TLS to backend servers, configure the backend servers (e.g., Kong) to validate the F5’s client certificate.

3. Test SSL and mTLS Connections

  1. SSL Connection:
    • Test a standard SSL connection by accessing the VIP without providing a client certificate.
    • The F5 should accept the connection securely without requiring a client certificate.
  2. mTLS Connection:
    • Test an mTLS connection by providing a valid client certificate signed by the trusted CA.
    • The F5 should validate the client certificate before establishing the connection.

Summary

  • SSL and mTLS Profiles: Attach both a standard SSL profile (with client certificate optional or ignored) and an mTLS SSL profile (with client certificate required) to the same VIP.
  • Optional Backend mTLS: Optionally, configure mTLS for connections from the F5 to backend servers if end-to-end mutual authentication is required.
  • Client Experience: Clients that support mTLS can authenticate with certificates, while clients without certificates can still connect over standard SSL.

This configuration allows the F5 to handle both SSL and mTLS connections on the same endpoint, supporting secure flexibility in handling a range of client needs and security requirements.

Common Issues and Resolutions

1. Certificate Verification Failed

If Kong logs errors like:

  • unable to get local issuer certificate
  • certificate verify failed

Cause

  • F5 is presenting a certificate that Kong cannot validate because the CA is not trusted or the certificate chain is incomplete.

Solution

  1. Verify F5 Certificate Chain:
    • Ensure F5 is presenting the full certificate chain, including intermediate and root certificates.
    • On F5, upload the intermediate and root certificates alongside the server certificate.

Steps in F5:

  1. Go to System → File Management → SSL Certificate List.
  2. Import the intermediate and root certificates if missing.
  3. Assign them to the SSL profile.
  4. Add the Root CA to Kong:
    • Export the root certificate (and intermediate certificate, if needed) from F5.
    • Add the CA to Kong’s trusted store:

curl -i -X POST http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/ca_certificates \

  –data “cert=$(cat /path/to/root_ca.pem)”

  1. Enable Certificate Validation in Kong:
    • Ensure the tls_verify option is enabled for services connecting to F5:

curl -i -X PATCH http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/services/<SERVICE_NAME_OR_ID> \

  –data “tls_verify=true”

2. SNI Mismatch

If Kong logs errors like:

  • SSL: certificate name does not match

Cause

  • The Server Name Indication (SNI) sent by Kong does not match the hostname in F5’s SSL certificate.

Solution

  1. Verify F5 SSL Certificate:
    • Ensure the certificate on F5 is issued for the hostname used by Kong.
    • Use a tool like openssl to check the F5 certificate:

openssl s_client -connect <F5_VIP>:443 -showcerts

  1. Set SNI in Kong:
    • Specify the correct SNI for the service in Kong:

bash

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curl -i -X PATCH http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/services/<SERVICE_NAME_OR_ID> \

  –data “tls_verify=true” \

  –data “tls_verify_depth=2” \

  –data “sni=<F5_HOSTNAME>”

3. Mutual TLS (mTLS) Configuration

If using mTLS, errors may include:

  • SSL handshake failed
  • no client certificate presented

Cause

  • Kong is not presenting a client certificate, or F5 is not configured to validate the client certificate.

Solution

  1. Upload Client Certificate to Kong:
    • Add the client certificate and private key to Kong:

bash

curl -i -X POST http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/certificates \

  –data “cert=$(cat /path/to/client_certificate.pem)” \

  –data “key=$(cat /path/to/client_key.pem)”

  1. Associate the Certificate with the Service:
    • Attach the certificate to the service connecting to F5:

bash

Copy code

curl -i -X PATCH http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/services/<SERVICE_NAME_OR_ID> \

  –data “client_certificate=<CERTIFICATE_ID>”

  1. Enable Client Certificate Validation on F5:
    • On F5, enable client certificate authentication in the SSL profile:
      • Go to Local Traffic → SSL Profiles → Edit the profile.
      • Enable Require Client Certificate.
      • Upload the CA certificate that issued the client certificate.

4. Protocol or Cipher Mismatch

Errors like:

  • SSL routines:ssl_choose_client_version:unsupported protocol
  • ssl_cipher_list failure

Cause

  • Mismatch in SSL protocols or ciphers supported by F5 and Kong.

Solution

  1. Check SSL Protocols and Ciphers on F5:
    • Ensure F5 supports the protocols (e.g., TLS 1.2/1.3) and ciphers used by Kong.
    • Modify the F5 SSL profile to include compatible protocols and ciphers.
  2. Set Cipher Suites in Kong:
    • Update Kong’s nginx_kong.conf to include compatible ciphers:

nginx

ssl_ciphers HIGH:!aNULL:!MD5;

ssl_protocols TLSv1.2 TLSv1.3;

  1. Restart Kong after the update.

5. Untrusted Self-Signed Certificate

If F5 uses a self-signed certificate, Kong cannot validate it by default.

Solution

  1. Export the self-signed certificate from F5.
  2. Add the certificate to Kong’s trusted CA store:

bash

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curl -i -X POST http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/ca_certificates \

  –data “cert=$(cat /path/to/self_signed_certificate.pem)”

Best Practices

  • Use Valid Certificates:
    • Always use certificates from trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs) for production systems.
  • Enable Logging:
    • Monitor logs in Kong and F5 to troubleshoot SSL/TLS issues.
  • Regular Certificate Rotation:
    • Ensure certificates are renewed and updated before expiry.
  • Secure Configuration:
    • Use modern TLS protocols (e.g., TLS 1.2/1.3) and strong cipher suites.

By addressing these common issues, you can ensure smooth integration between F5 and Kong Gateway with robust SSL/TLS security. Let me know if you need detailed help with any specific step!

Common Issues and Resolutions

1. Certificate Verification Failed

If Kong logs errors like:

  • unable to get local issuer certificate
  • certificate verify failed

Cause

  • F5 is presenting a certificate that Kong cannot validate because the CA is not trusted or the certificate chain is incomplete.

Solution

  1. Verify F5 Certificate Chain:
    • Ensure F5 is presenting the full certificate chain, including intermediate and root certificates.
    • On F5, upload the intermediate and root certificates alongside the server certificate.

Steps in F5:

  1. Go to System → File Management → SSL Certificate List.
  2. Import the intermediate and root certificates if missing.
  3. Assign them to the SSL profile.
  4. Add the Root CA to Kong:
    • Export the root certificate (and intermediate certificate, if needed) from F5.
    • Add the CA to Kong’s trusted store:

curl -i -X POST http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/ca_certificates \

  –data “cert=$(cat /path/to/root_ca.pem)”

  1. Enable Certificate Validation in Kong:
    • Ensure the tls_verify option is enabled for services connecting to F5:

curl -i -X PATCH http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/services/<SERVICE_NAME_OR_ID> \

  –data “tls_verify=true”

2. SNI Mismatch

If Kong logs errors like:

  • SSL: certificate name does not match

Cause

  • The Server Name Indication (SNI) sent by Kong does not match the hostname in F5’s SSL certificate.

Solution

  1. Verify F5 SSL Certificate:
    • Ensure the certificate on F5 is issued for the hostname used by Kong.
    • Use a tool like openssl to check the F5 certificate:

openssl s_client -connect <F5_VIP>:443 -showcerts

  1. Set SNI in Kong:
    • Specify the correct SNI for the service in Kong:

curl -i -X PATCH http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/services/<SERVICE_NAME_OR_ID> \

  –data “tls_verify=true” \

  –data “tls_verify_depth=2” \

  –data “sni=<F5_HOSTNAME>”

3. Mutual TLS (mTLS) Configuration

If using mTLS, errors may include:

  • SSL handshake failed
  • no client certificate presented

Cause

  • Kong is not presenting a client certificate, or F5 is not configured to validate the client certificate.

Solution

  1. Upload Client Certificate to Kong:
    • Add the client certificate and private key to Kong:

curl -i -X POST http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/certificates \

  –data “cert=$(cat /path/to/client_certificate.pem)” \

  –data “key=$(cat /path/to/client_key.pem)”

  1. Associate the Certificate with the Service:
    • Attach the certificate to the service connecting to F5:

curl -i -X PATCH http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/services/<SERVICE_NAME_OR_ID> \

  –data “client_certificate=<CERTIFICATE_ID>”

  1. Enable Client Certificate Validation on F5:
    • On F5, enable client certificate authentication in the SSL profile:
      • Go to Local Traffic → SSL Profiles → Edit the profile.
      • Enable Require Client Certificate.
      • Upload the CA certificate that issued the client certificate.

4. Protocol or Cipher Mismatch

Errors like:

  • SSL routines:ssl_choose_client_version:unsupported protocol
  • ssl_cipher_list failure

Cause

  • Mismatch in SSL protocols or ciphers supported by F5 and Kong.

Solution

  1. Check SSL Protocols and Ciphers on F5:
    • Ensure F5 supports the protocols (e.g., TLS 1.2/1.3) and ciphers used by Kong.
    • Modify the F5 SSL profile to include compatible protocols and ciphers.
  2. Set Cipher Suites in Kong:
    • Update Kong’s nginx_kong.conf to include compatible ciphers:

nginx

ssl_ciphers HIGH:!aNULL:!MD5;

ssl_protocols TLSv1.2 TLSv1.3;

  1. Restart Kong after the update.

5. Untrusted Self-Signed Certificate

If F5 uses a self-signed certificate, Kong cannot validate it by default.

Solution

  1. Export the self-signed certificate from F5.
  2. Add the certificate to Kong’s trusted CA store:

curl -i -X POST http://<KONG_ADMIN_API&gt;:8001/ca_certificates \

  –data “cert=$(cat /path/to/self_signed_certificate.pem)”

Best Practices

  • Use Valid Certificates:
    • Always use certificates from trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs) for production systems.
  • Enable Logging:
    • Monitor logs in Kong and F5 to troubleshoot SSL/TLS issues.
  • Regular Certificate Rotation:
    • Ensure certificates are renewed and updated before expiry.
  • Secure Configuration:
    • Use modern TLS protocols (e.g., TLS 1.2/1.3) and strong cipher suites.

By addressing these common issues, you can ensure smooth integration between F5 and Kong Gateway with robust SSL/TLS security. Let me know if you need detailed help with any specific step!

unable to verify the first certificate – KONG

techhadoop , , , ,

unable to verify the first certificate

The error “unable to verify the first certificate” typically indicates that the client (or server) cannot verify the certificate because it does not have the correct root certificate, intermediate certificate, or the certificate chain is incomplete. Here’s how you can troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

Common Causes of the Error:

  1. Missing Root or Intermediate Certificates
    • The server or client lacks the necessary CA certificates to complete the chain of trust.
  2. Self-Signed Certificate
    • If the certificate is self-signed, the server or client must explicitly trust the certificate.
  3. Incomplete Certificate Chain
    • The server might not be sending the entire certificate chain (intermediate certificates) along with the server certificate.
  4. Incorrect Client/Server Configuration
    • The client or server may not be configured to trust the CA that issued the certificate.

Steps to Fix the Issue:

1. Verify the Certificate Chain

Check whether the certificate chain is complete. You can use openssl to check the chain from the client side:

openssl s_client -connect your-kong-api:443 -showcerts

This will show the certificates presented by the server. Verify if the server provides the full chain, including the intermediate certificates.

2. Install Missing CA Certificates on the Client

If the client does not trust the CA that issued the server certificate, you need to install the root CA certificate on the client. For example, on most systems, you can install the CA certificates by adding them to the trusted certificate store.

  • Linux (e.g., Ubuntu/Debian): Copy the CA certificate (e.g., ca.crt) to the /usr/local/share/ca-certificates/ directory and then update the certificate store:

sudo cp ca.crt /usr/local/share/ca-certificates/

sudo update-ca-certificates

  • Windows: Import the root certificate into the Trusted Root Certification Authorities store via the Certificate Manager.
  • macOS: You can import the CA certificate into Keychain Access and mark it as trusted.

3. Verify the Server-Side Configuration

If you’re managing the server (e.g., Kong API Gateway), ensure that the server is sending the complete certificate chain. You can provide both the server certificate and any intermediate certificates in the configuration.

For example, in Kong, you can configure SSL certificates like this:

curl -i -X POST http://localhost:8001/certificates \

–form “cert=@/path/to/server.crt” \

–form “key=@/path/to/server.key” \

–form “cert_alt=@/path/to/intermediate.crt”

Ensure that the server certificate and intermediate certificates are included in the cert field.

4. Test the Connection with the Correct CA

When testing using curl, ensure you include the correct root CA or intermediate CA:

curl -v –cacert /path/to/ca.crt https://your-kong-api/your-route

This will make curl use the specified CA certificate for validation.

5. Check for Self-Signed Certificates

If you’re using self-signed certificates, you’ll need to make sure that both the client and server are explicitly configured to trust the self-signed certificate.

For example, when using curl:

curl -v –key client.key –cert client.crt –cacert ca.crt https://your-kong-api/

If the certificate is self-signed and you want to bypass certificate verification (not recommended in production), you can use:

curl -v –insecure https://your-kong-api/

6. Include the Correct Intermediate Certificates

If the server is not sending the intermediate certificate (or you forgot to add it), make sure that the intermediate certificate is included in the chain. You can concatenate the server certificate and intermediate certificate into one file:

cat server.crt intermediate.crt > full_chain.crt

Then, use the full chain certificate for your server configuration.

Summary of Steps:

  1. Check the certificate chain using openssl s_client to see if all necessary certificates are presented.
  2. Ensure the client trusts the root CA by installing the root or intermediate CA on the client.
  3. Ensure the server presents the full certificate chain (server certificate + intermediate certificates).
  4. Test the connection using the correct CA with curl or another tool.
  5. Handle self-signed certificates by explicitly trusting them or bypassing verification in non-production environments.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “unable to verify the first certificate” issue.

com.pingidentity.pf.datastore an error occured while testing the connection Error PKIX path building failed

techhadoop , , , ,

The error you’re encountering, PKIX path building failed, is related to SSL certificate validation in PingIdentity while attempting to establish a connection. Specifically, it indicates that the system could not verify the certificate path back to a trusted root certificate authority (CA). This is a common issue when a server certificate is either self-signed or not recognized by the trust store.

Here’s a breakdown of the error:

  1. PKIX path building failed: This means that Java’s SSL/TLS system could not build a valid certificate chain back to a trusted root certificate authority.
  2. SunCertPathBuilderException: unable to find valid certification path to requested target: This suggests that the certificate presented by the remote system is not trusted by the client making the request. The client’s trust store (Java keystore) does not have the necessary CA certificates to validate the server certificate.

Causes:

  • Self-signed certificate: If the server you’re trying to connect to uses a self-signed certificate, it won’t be trusted automatically.
  • Untrusted CA: The certificate is signed by a CA that’s not included in the default trust store of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
  • Missing intermediate certificates: The certificate chain might be incomplete, missing intermediate certificates between the server’s certificate and the trusted root.
  • Expired or revoked certificates: The server certificate could be expired or revoked, leading to validation failure.

Solutions:

1. Import the Server’s Certificate to the Java Truststore

You need to import the server’s certificate (or the intermediate CA certificates) into the Java trust store to ensure it’s recognized as a trusted certificate.

Steps:

  • Obtain the server certificate:

openssl s_client -connect <server-host>:<port> -showcerts

This will return the server’s SSL certificate chain. Copy the relevant certificate (in PEM format).

  • Save the certificate as server.crt.
  • Import the certificate into the Java trust store:

keytool -import -alias <alias_name> -keystore <path_to_java_home>/lib/security/cacerts -file server.crt

The default password for the trust store is usually changeit, but this can vary.

  • Restart your PingFederate server or application to ensure the new trust store is loaded.

2. Use a Valid SSL Certificate

  • If the server is using a self-signed certificate, consider replacing it with one signed by a trusted public CA (e.g., Let’s Encrypt, GlobalSign, etc.).
  • Ensure the entire certificate chain, including intermediate certificates, is properly configured on the server.

3. Disable SSL Validation (Not Recommended in Production)

You can temporarily disable SSL validation to allow connections without certificate verification. This is usually done in testing environments or when working with self-signed certificates.

Example: In Java, you can disable SSL certificate validation by setting a custom trust manager, but this approach is not secure and should be avoided in production:

import javax.net.ssl.*;

import java.security.SecureRandom;

import java.security.cert.X509Certificate;

TrustManager[] trustAllCerts = new TrustManager[]{

    new X509TrustManager() {

        public X509Certificate[] getAcceptedIssuers() {

            return null;

        }

        public void checkClientTrusted(X509Certificate[] certs, String authType) {}

        public void checkServerTrusted(X509Certificate[] certs, String authType) {}

    }

};

SSLContext sc = SSLContext.getInstance(“SSL”);

sc.init(null, trustAllCerts, new SecureRandom());

HttpsURLConnection.setDefaultSSLSocketFactory(sc.getSocketFactory());

This solution is not recommended for production environments.

4. Verify the Server Certificate

Ensure that the certificate on the server is not expired, properly configured, and includes all intermediate certificates. You can use tools like:

openssl s_client -connect <server-host>:<port> -showcerts

5. Update the JVM Truststore (if outdated)

If you are using an old version of Java, the default trust store may not include modern root CAs. You can update your JVM or manually update the CA certificates:

  • Download a fresh version of the cacerts file from the latest JVM or a trusted source.
  • Replace your current cacerts file (located in JAVA_HOME/lib/security) with the new one.

6. Proxy Configuration

If you’re using a proxy, make sure the proxy server has the necessary CA certificates and that PingFederate is properly configured to connect through the proxy.

Conclusion

To resolve the PKIX path building failed error, you will likely need to add the server certificate (or its CA) to your Java trust store. Ensure the server’s certificate chain is correctly configured and, if using self-signed certificates, import them into the trust store. Avoid disabling SSL validation in production environments due to security risks.

PING Identity

techhadoop , , , ,

The error you’re encountering is related to certificate validation and occurs when the system is unable to establish a valid certificate chain to the requested target (usually an external service or API). Specifically, the error message:

SunCertPathBuilderException: unable to find valid certification path to requested target

indicates that the Java application (in this case, Ping Identity) is trying to connect to an HTTPS service, but the service’s SSL/TLS certificate is either:

  • Self-signed, or
  • Issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is not trusted by the Java trust store.

Here’s how you can troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

Step 1: Verify the SSL/TLS Certificate

  1. Check the service’s certificate: Use a browser or a tool like openssl to verify the service’s certificate chain:

openssl s_client -connect <hostname>:<port> -showcerts

This will display the certificate chain used by the server. Ensure that the server certificate is valid and that intermediate and root certificates are also included.

  1. Check if the certificate is self-signed: If the service is using a self-signed certificate or a certificate from a CA not included in the default Java trust store, you’ll need to manually trust it.

Step 2: Add the Certificate to the Java Trust Store

You’ll need to import the certificate into the Java trust store so that Java can trust it.

  1. Export the server certificate:
    • Save the certificate to a file using your browser or the openssl command.

For example:

echo | openssl s_client -connect <hostname>:<port> | sed -ne ‘/-BEGIN CERTIFICATE-/,/-END CERTIFICATE-/p’ > server-cert.pem

  1. Import the certificate into Java’s trust store: Use the keytool command to import the certificate:

sudo keytool -import -alias <alias-name> -file <path-to-cert> -keystore $JAVA_HOME/lib/security/cacerts

Replace:

  1. <alias-name>: A unique alias for the certificate.
  2. <path-to-cert>: The path to the certificate file you saved.

The default password for the Java trust store is usually changeit.

  1. Verify the certificate import: You can verify if the certificate has been successfully imported by listing the contents of the trust store:

sudo keytool -list -keystore $JAVA_HOME/lib/security/cacerts

Step 3: Test the Connection Again

After importing the certificate, restart your application and test the connection again to ensure the error is resolved.

Additional Considerations:

  • Custom Trust Store: If your application is using a custom trust store (not the default Java trust store), ensure that the certificate is added to that trust store instead.
  • CA Certificates: If the certificate is from a trusted CA, ensure that your system has the correct root CA certificates in its trust store.

By importing the certificate into the Java trust store, you should be able to resolve the PKIX path building failed error and establish a successful connection.

How to verify mtls client cert via curl in Kong API gateway

techhadoop , , , ,

To verify mTLS (Mutual TLS) client certificates in Kong API Gateway using curl, you will need to have:

  1. A valid client certificate and key that the server can verify.
  2. The server’s CA certificate to trust the server’s certificate.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to verify the mTLS setup using curl:

1. Ensure mTLS is enabled in Kong

Make sure that the mTLS authentication plugin is enabled on the route, service, or globally in your Kong instance. For example, you can check if the mtls-auth plugin is applied:

curl http://localhost:8001/plugins

If it’s not enabled, you can add the mTLS plugin to a specific route or service:

curl -i -X POST http://localhost:8001/services/{service-id}/plugins \

    –data “name=mtls-auth”

2. Ensure the Client Certificate is Associated with a Consumer

To match the client certificate with a consumer in Kong, you need to associate the Common Name (CN) or Subject Alternative Name (SAN) in the certificate with a consumer.

curl -i -X POST http://localhost:8001/consumers/{consumer-id}/mtls_auth \

    –data “subject_name=client.example.com”

This ensures that when the client presents the certificate, Kong will map the request to the correct consumer based on the CN.

3. Verify mTLS using curl

To perform mTLS using curl, you will need:

  • The client certificate and client key.
  • The CA certificate that Kong uses to verify the client certificate.

Use the following curl command to verify mTLS:

bash

Copy code

curl -v https://{KONG_HOST}:{KONG_PORT}/{route-path} \

    –cert /path/to/client-cert.pem \

    –key /path/to/client-key.pem \

    –cacert /path/to/ca-cert.pem

  • –cert /path/to/client-cert.pem: Path to the client certificate file.
  • –key /path/to/client-key.pem: Path to the client private key file.
  • –cacert /path/to/ca-cert.pem: Path to the CA certificate that Kong uses to verify the client certificate.
  • -v: Verbose output to see the handshake details.

4. Example Command

For example, if Kong is running on localhost, the route is /secure-service, and you have the client certificate and key:

curl -v https://localhost:8443/secure-service \

    –cert /etc/ssl/client-cert.pem \

    –key /etc/ssl/client-key.pem \

    –cacert /etc/ssl/ca-cert.pem

5. Check the Response

  • If the client certificate is valid and trusted, Kong will allow the request, and you will see a 200 OK response (or the relevant service response).
  • If the certificate validation fails, you may see errors like:
    • 400 Bad Request: Indicates issues with the certificate verification.
    • 403 Forbidden: Indicates the certificate was valid but the client was not authorized for the route.

6. Common Errors and Troubleshooting

  • 400 Bad Request: SSL certificate validation failed: This usually happens when the client certificate is not signed by the trusted CA or doesn’t match the subject name expected by Kong.
  • 403 Forbidden: mTLS authentication failed: This happens if the certificate’s CN or SAN does not match any configured consumers in Kong.

Conclusion

Verifying mTLS in Kong API Gateway via curl involves ensuring that the client certificate and key are properly configured and Kong is set up to validate them. If configured correctly, Kong will authenticate the client using the certificate, and the request will proceed.

generate CA certificate for Kong API gateway and configure with mTLS

techhadoop , , , ,

To generate a Certificate Authority (CA) certificate for Kong Gateway and configure it for mTLS (Mutual TLS), follow these steps. This process involves creating a root CA, generating client certificates, and setting up Kong to use them for mTLS authentication.

Steps Overview:

  1. Generate your own Certificate Authority (CA).
  2. Use the CA to sign client certificates.
  3. Upload the CA certificate to Kong.
  4. Configure Kong to enforce mTLS using the CA.
  5. Test the mTLS setup.

1. Generate a Certificate Authority (CA)

1.1. Generate the CA’s Private Key

openssl genrsa -out ca.key 2048

This command generates a 2048-bit RSA private key for your CA.

1.2. Create a Self-Signed Certificate for the CA

openssl req -x509 -new -nodes -key ca.key -sha256 -days 3650 -out ca.crt \

-subj “/C=US/ST=State/L=City/O=Organization/OU=OrgUnit/CN=Your-CA-Name”

  • This command creates a self-signed certificate valid for 10 years (3650 days).
  • Customize the -subj fields with your information.

You now have two files:

  • ca.key: The CA’s private key (keep this secure).
  • ca.crt: The CA’s self-signed certificate, which you will use to sign client certificates.

2. Generate and Sign Client Certificates

2.1. Generate the Client’s Private Key

openssl genrsa -out client.key 2048

2.2. Create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) for the Client

openssl req -new -key client.key -out client.csr -subj “/C=US/ST=State/L=City/O=Organization/OU=OrgUnit/CN=Client-Name”

2.3. Sign the Client’s Certificate with the CA

openssl x509 -req -in client.csr -CA ca.crt -CAkey ca.key -CAcreateserial -out client.crt -days 365 -sha256

This command signs the client certificate (client.crt) with your CA. The client.crt is valid for 1 year (365 days).

You now have:

  • client.key: The client’s private key.
  • client.crt: The client’s signed certificate.

3. Upload the CA Certificate to Kong

Kong needs the CA certificate to validate the client certificates during mTLS authentication. You can upload the CA certificate to Kong as follows:

curl -i -X POST http://localhost:8001/ca_certificates \

  –data “cert=@/path/to/ca.crt”

This will make Kong aware of the trusted CA certificate, enabling it to validate client certificates that are signed by this CA.

4. Enable the mTLS Plugin in Kong

Now, configure Kong to enforce mTLS for a service or route using the mTLS Authentication plugin. This plugin requires clients to present a certificate signed by the CA.

4.1. Enable mTLS for a Service

To enable mTLS authentication on a specific service:

curl -i -X POST http://localhost:8001/services/<service_id>/plugins \

  –data “name=mtls-auth”

Replace <service_id> with the actual service ID.

4.2. Enable mTLS for a Route

Alternatively, you can enable mTLS for a specific route:

curl -i -X POST http://localhost:8001/routes/<route_id>/plugins \

  –data “name=mtls-auth”

By default, the plugin will validate the client certificate against the CA certificate you uploaded in Step 3.

5. Configure Trusted Certificate IDs (Optional)

If you have multiple CA certificates, you can specify which ones to trust. You can update the mTLS plugin configuration to use the correct CA certificate ID:

curl -i -X PATCH http://localhost:8001/plugins/<plugin_id&gt; \

  –data “config.trusted_certificate_ids=<ca_certificate_id>”

6. Test the mTLS Setup

6.1. Test Using Curl

To test the mTLS setup, make a request to your Kong service or route while providing the client certificate and private key:

curl -v –cert client.crt –key client.key https://<kong-gateway-url>/your-service-or-route

This request should succeed if the client certificate is valid. If the client certificate is invalid or not provided, the request will fail with an error.

Summary

  1. Generate a Certificate Authority (CA): Use OpenSSL to generate a root CA (ca.key and ca.crt).
  2. Create and sign client certificates: Sign client certificates using the CA (client.crt and client.key).
  3. Upload the CA certificate to Kong (ca.crt).
  4. Enable the mTLS Authentication plugin for services or routes in Kong.
  5. Test mTLS by making requests using the client certificates.

By following these steps, Kong Gateway will be configured to enforce mTLS, ensuring that only clients with valid certificates signed by your CA can access your services.