[slightly OT] PHP/SSL - client certs how to distribute ?

[Richard Shea]

Hi - Hoped someone who's done this could provide some pointers. I'm
interested in developing a script which would make use of
openssl_x509_read to read a certificate presented in the HTTP headers
when accessing an SSL page.

But here's the question ... what are ways of distributing certificates
to the clients ?

Imagine I have 3 customers in total but when foo.php is requested I
only want 2 of them to see a full response. I could go around to their
offices and install the client certificate and everything would be
fine - but what happens when there are 200 or 2000 certificates to
install ? Bearing in mind I need to be sure that only the right people
are getting a certificate.

I'm sure it's not a new question but can anybody point me in the right
direction please ?

thanks

richard shea.

[Kevin Thorpe]

Richard Shea wrote:

Hi - Hoped someone who's done this could provide some pointers. I'm
interested in developing a script which would make use of
openssl_x509_read to read a certificate presented in the HTTP headers
when accessing an SSL page.

But here's the question ... what are ways of distributing certificates
to the clients ?

Imagine I have 3 customers in total but when foo.php is requested I
only want 2 of them to see a full response. I could go around to their
offices and install the client certificate and everything would be
fine - but what happens when there are 200 or 2000 certificates to
install ? Bearing in mind I need to be sure that only the right people
are getting a certificate.

I'm sure it's not a new question but can anybody point me in the right
direction please ?

We've been there with mixed results. Admittedly we tried PKI certs 4
years ago and noone understood them. We even had IT departments telling
us that they couldn't install them as they were a security risk!

Our final version was entirely web based using a set of CA authority
scripts. We solicited the initial certificate contents, an e-mail
address and a password using a web based form. We then validated those
here, generated the certificate and e-mailed a confirmation for the
originator to collect their ceritficate. You can automatically add a
certificate from a webpage.

I suggest you look at www.thawte.com and see how they do it.

We also experimented with business card CDs with generated certificates.
That seems to work well as people understand that it's a 'key' to the
website and to keep it safe, often in their wallet.

[Richard Shea]

Hi Kevin - thanks for your reply, sorry for slow response I have got a
cold and so things have slowed down.

Found your reply very interesing and useful - particularly thought the
'business card' CD's an interesting idea - only dimly aware such a
thing existed I will check them out. Also your other approches looked
good so thanks again for all the info.

regards

richard shea.