Lab
A Cloud Guru

Working with OpenSSL and Httpd

Approximately 25% of the LPIC-3 Security exam is based on cryptography and how to employ it in Linux. In this hands-on lab, we will learn how to generate a signed certificate using `openssl` and use that certificate to secure HTTP traffic. We will then use the `openssl` command to verify the Apache configuration.

Try for free Contact sales

Path Info

Level

Advanced

Duration

1h 0m

Published

Nov 05, 2018

Challenge

Install `mod_ssl` on the host `webserver`.

Run yum install mod_ssl, and accept the prompts.
Challenge

Generate and sign the private key for `shop.example.com` using `openssl`.
1. Create a new encrypted private key.
```
openssl genrsa -aes128 -out /etc/pki/tls/private/httpdkey.pem
```
1. Enter httpd at the passphrase prompt.
2. Generate a self-signed certificate using the key.
```
openssl req -new -x509 -key /etc/pki/tls/private/httpdkey.pem -out /etc/pki/tls/certs/httpdcert.pem -days 365
```
1. Enter httpd at the passphrase prompt.
2. At the prompts, enter the field information provided in the instructions (use defaults where not specified).
Challenge

Update the default Apache virtual host to accept connections on `shop.example.com` using the new keypair, and allow HTTPS traffic through the firewall.
1. Make the following changes to /etc/httpd/conf.d/ssl.conf:
  - At the end of the <VirtualHost _default_:443> section, add the following on a new line:
    
    ServerName shop.example.com:443
  - Locate the line SSLCertificateFile /etc/pki/tls/certs/localhost.crt, and change it to the following:
    
    SSLCertificateFile /etc/pki/tls/certs/httpdcert.pem
  - Locate the line SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/pki/tls/private/localhost.key, and change it to the following:
    
    SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/pki/tls/private/httpdkey.pem
2. Restart httpd to put the changes into effect.
```
systemctl restart httpd
```
1. Enter httpd at the passphrase prompt.
2. Open port 443 on the OS firewall.
```
sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=https --permanent 
sudo firewall-cmd --reload
```

Challenge

Verify the configuration with `openssl` from the host `workstation`.

On the workstation machine, run the following command:

openssl s_client -connect shop.example.com:443 > /home/cloud_user/httpd_output

**Note:** The OpenSSL `s_client` will briefly wait for input before terminating the connection. You may either interrupt the running command or let it close automatically. No further input is required.

Author

A Cloud Guru

The Cloud Content team comprises subject matter experts hyper focused on services offered by the leading cloud vendors (AWS, GCP, and Azure), as well as cloud-related technologies such as Linux and DevOps. The team is thrilled to share their knowledge to help you build modern tech solutions from the ground up, secure and optimize your environments, and so much more!

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.