openssl-ts

TS(1SSL)                            OpenSSL                           TS(1SSL)

NAME
       openssl-ts, ts - Time Stamping Authority tool (client/server)

SYNOPSIS
       openssl ts -query [-rand file...]  [-writerand file] [-config
       configfile] [-data file_to_hash] [-digest digest_bytes] [-digest]
       [-tspolicy object_id] [-no_nonce] [-cert] [-in request.tsq] [-out
       request.tsq] [-text]

       openssl ts -reply [-config configfile] [-section tsa_section]
       [-queryfile request.tsq] [-passin password_src] [-signer tsa_cert.pem]
       [-inkey file_or_id] [-digest] [-chain certs_file.pem] [-tspolicy
       object_id] [-in response.tsr] [-token_in] [-out response.tsr]
       [-token_out] [-text] [-engine id]

       openssl ts -verify [-data file_to_hash] [-digest digest_bytes]
       [-queryfile request.tsq] [-in response.tsr] [-token_in] [-CApath
       trusted_cert_path] [-CAfile trusted_certs.pem] [-untrusted
       cert_file.pem] [verify options]

       verify options: [-attime timestamp] [-check_ss_sig] [-crl_check]
       [-crl_check_all] [-explicit_policy] [-extended_crl] [-ignore_critical]
       [-inhibit_any] [-inhibit_map] [-issuer_checks] [-no_alt_chains]
       [-no_check_time] [-partial_chain] [-policy arg] [-policy_check]
       [-policy_print] [-purpose purpose] [-suiteB_128] [-suiteB_128_only]
       [-suiteB_192] [-trusted_first] [-use_deltas] [-auth_level num]
       [-verify_depth num] [-verify_email email] [-verify_hostname hostname]
       [-verify_ip ip] [-verify_name name] [-x509_strict]

DESCRIPTION
       The ts command is a basic Time Stamping Authority (TSA) client and
       server application as specified in RFC 3161 (Time-Stamp Protocol, TSP).
       A TSA can be part of a PKI deployment and its role is to provide long
       term proof of the existence of a certain datum before a particular
       time. Here is a brief description of the protocol:

       1.  The TSA client computes a one-way hash value for a data file and
           sends the hash to the TSA.

       2.  The TSA attaches the current date and time to the received hash
           value, signs them and sends the time stamp token back to the
           client. By creating this token the TSA certifies the existence of
           the original data file at the time of response generation.

       3.  The TSA client receives the time stamp token and verifies the
           signature on it. It also checks if the token contains the same hash
           value that it had sent to the TSA.

       There is one DER encoded protocol data unit defined for transporting a
       time stamp request to the TSA and one for sending the time stamp
       response back to the client. The ts command has three main functions:
       creating a time stamp request based on a data file, creating a time
       stamp response based on a request, verifying if a response corresponds
       to a particular request or a data file.

       There is no support for sending the requests/responses automatically
       over HTTP or TCP yet as suggested in RFC 3161. The users must send the
       requests either by ftp or e-mail.

OPTIONS
   Time Stamp Request generation
       The -query switch can be used for creating and printing a time stamp
       request with the following options:

       -rand file...
           A file or files containing random data used to seed the random
           number generator.  Multiple files can be specified separated by an
           OS-dependent character.  The separator is ; for MS-Windows, , for
           OpenVMS, and : for all others.

       [-writerand file]
           Writes random data to the specified file upon exit.  This can be
           used with a subsequent -rand flag.

       -config configfile
           The configuration file to use.  Optional; for a description of the
           default value, see "COMMAND SUMMARY" in openssl(1).

       -data file_to_hash
           The data file for which the time stamp request needs to be created.
           stdin is the default if neither the -data nor the -digest parameter
           is specified. (Optional)

       -digest digest_bytes
           It is possible to specify the message imprint explicitly without
           the data file. The imprint must be specified in a hexadecimal
           format, two characters per byte, the bytes optionally separated by
           colons (e.g. 1A:F6:01:... or 1AF601...). The number of bytes must
           match the message digest algorithm in use. (Optional)

       -digest
           The message digest to apply to the data file.  Any digest supported
           by the OpenSSL dgst command can be used.  The default is SHA-1.
           (Optional)

       -tspolicy object_id
           The policy that the client expects the TSA to use for creating the
           time stamp token. Either the dotted OID notation or OID names
           defined in the config file can be used. If no policy is requested
           the TSA will use its own default policy. (Optional)

       -no_nonce
           No nonce is specified in the request if this option is given.
           Otherwise a 64 bit long pseudo-random none is included in the
           request. It is recommended to use nonce to protect against replay-
           attacks. (Optional)

       -cert
           The TSA is expected to include its signing certificate in the
           response. (Optional)

       -in request.tsq
           This option specifies a previously created time stamp request in
           DER format that will be printed into the output file. Useful when
           you need to examine the content of a request in human-readable
           format. (Optional)

       -out request.tsq
           Name of the output file to which the request will be written.
           Default is stdout. (Optional)

       -text
           If this option is specified the output is human-readable text
           format instead of DER. (Optional)

   Time Stamp Response generation
       A time stamp response (TimeStampResp) consists of a response status and
       the time stamp token itself (ContentInfo), if the token generation was
       successful. The -reply command is for creating a time stamp response or
       time stamp token based on a request and printing the response/token in
       human-readable format. If -token_out is not specified the output is
       always a time stamp response (TimeStampResp), otherwise it is a time
       stamp token (ContentInfo).

       -config configfile
           The configuration file to use.  Optional; for a description of the
           default value, see "COMMAND SUMMARY" in openssl(1).  See
           CONFIGURATION FILE OPTIONS for configurable variables.

       -section tsa_section
           The name of the config file section containing the settings for the
           response generation. If not specified the default TSA section is
           used, see CONFIGURATION FILE OPTIONS for details. (Optional)

       -queryfile request.tsq
           The name of the file containing a DER encoded time stamp request.
           (Optional)

       -passin password_src
           Specifies the password source for the private key of the TSA. See
           PASS PHRASE ARGUMENTS in openssl(1). (Optional)

       -signer tsa_cert.pem
           The signer certificate of the TSA in PEM format. The TSA signing
           certificate must have exactly one extended key usage assigned to
           it: timeStamping. The extended key usage must also be critical,
           otherwise the certificate is going to be refused. Overrides the
           signer_cert variable of the config file. (Optional)

       -inkey file_or_id
           The signer private key of the TSA in PEM format. Overrides the
           signer_key config file option. (Optional) If no engine is used, the
           argument is taken as a file; if an engine is specified, the
           argument is given to the engine as a key identifier.

       -digest
           Signing digest to use. Overrides the signer_digest config file
           option. (Mandatory unless specified in the config file)

       -chain certs_file.pem
           The collection of certificates in PEM format that will all be
           included in the response in addition to the signer certificate if
           the -cert option was used for the request. This file is supposed to
           contain the certificate chain for the signer certificate from its
           issuer upwards. The -reply command does not build a certificate
           chain automatically. (Optional)

       -tspolicy object_id
           The default policy to use for the response unless the client
           explicitly requires a particular TSA policy. The OID can be
           specified either in dotted notation or with its name. Overrides the
           default_policy config file option. (Optional)

       -in response.tsr
           Specifies a previously created time stamp response or time stamp
           token (if -token_in is also specified) in DER format that will be
           written to the output file. This option does not require a request,
           it is useful e.g. when you need to examine the content of a
           response or token or you want to extract the time stamp token from
           a response. If the input is a token and the output is a time stamp
           response a default 'granted' status info is added to the token.
           (Optional)

       -token_in
           This flag can be used together with the -in option and indicates
           that the input is a DER encoded time stamp token (ContentInfo)
           instead of a time stamp response (TimeStampResp). (Optional)

       -out response.tsr
           The response is written to this file. The format and content of the
           file depends on other options (see -text, -token_out). The default
           is stdout. (Optional)

       -token_out
           The output is a time stamp token (ContentInfo) instead of time
           stamp response (TimeStampResp). (Optional)

       -text
           If this option is specified the output is human-readable text
           format instead of DER. (Optional)

       -engine id
           Specifying an engine (by its unique id string) will cause ts to
           attempt to obtain a functional reference to the specified engine,
           thus initialising it if needed. The engine will then be set as the
           default for all available algorithms. Default is builtin.
           (Optional)

   Time Stamp Response verification
       The -verify command is for verifying if a time stamp response or time
       stamp token is valid and matches a particular time stamp request or
       data file. The -verify command does not use the configuration file.

       -data file_to_hash
           The response or token must be verified against file_to_hash. The
           file is hashed with the message digest algorithm specified in the
           token.  The -digest and -queryfile options must not be specified
           with this one.  (Optional)

       -digest digest_bytes
           The response or token must be verified against the message digest
           specified with this option. The number of bytes must match the
           message digest algorithm specified in the token. The -data and
           -queryfile options must not be specified with this one. (Optional)

       -queryfile request.tsq
           The original time stamp request in DER format. The -data and
           -digest options must not be specified with this one. (Optional)

       -in response.tsr
           The time stamp response that needs to be verified in DER format.
           (Mandatory)

       -token_in
           This flag can be used together with the -in option and indicates
           that the input is a DER encoded time stamp token (ContentInfo)
           instead of a time stamp response (TimeStampResp). (Optional)

       -CApath trusted_cert_path
           The name of the directory containing the trusted CA certificates of
           the client. See the similar option of verify(1) for additional
           details. Either this option or -CAfile must be specified.
           (Optional)

       -CAfile trusted_certs.pem
           The name of the file containing a set of trusted self-signed CA
           certificates in PEM format. See the similar option of verify(1) for
           additional details. Either this option or -CApath must be
           specified.  (Optional)

       -untrusted cert_file.pem
           Set of additional untrusted certificates in PEM format which may be
           needed when building the certificate chain for the TSA's signing
           certificate. This file must contain the TSA signing certificate and
           all intermediate CA certificates unless the response includes them.
           (Optional)

       verify options
           The options -attime timestamp, -check_ss_sig, -crl_check,
           -crl_check_all, -explicit_policy, -extended_crl, -ignore_critical,
           -inhibit_any, -inhibit_map, -issuer_checks, -no_alt_chains,
           -no_check_time, -partial_chain, -policy, -policy_check,
           -policy_print, -purpose, -suiteB_128, -suiteB_128_only,
           -suiteB_192, -trusted_first, -use_deltas, -auth_level,
           -verify_depth, -verify_email, -verify_hostname, -verify_ip,
           -verify_name, and -x509_strict can be used to control timestamp
           verification.  See verify(1).

CONFIGURATION FILE OPTIONS
       The -query and -reply commands make use of a configuration file.  See
       config(5) for a general description of the syntax of the config file.
       The -query command uses only the symbolic OID names section and it can
       work without it. However, the -reply command needs the config file for
       its operation.

       When there is a command line switch equivalent of a variable the switch
       always overrides the settings in the config file.

       tsa section, default_tsa
           This is the main section and it specifies the name of another
           section that contains all the options for the -reply command. This
           default section can be overridden with the -section command line
           switch. (Optional)

       oid_file
           See ca(1) for description. (Optional)

       oid_section
           See ca(1) for description. (Optional)

       RANDFILE
           See ca(1) for description. (Optional)

       serial
           The name of the file containing the hexadecimal serial number of
           the last time stamp response created. This number is incremented by
           1 for each response. If the file does not exist at the time of
           response generation a new file is created with serial number 1.
           (Mandatory)

       crypto_device
           Specifies the OpenSSL engine that will be set as the default for
           all available algorithms. The default value is builtin, you can
           specify any other engines supported by OpenSSL (e.g. use chil for
           the NCipher HSM).  (Optional)

       signer_cert
           TSA signing certificate in PEM format. The same as the -signer
           command line option. (Optional)

       certs
           A file containing a set of PEM encoded certificates that need to be
           included in the response. The same as the -chain command line
           option. (Optional)

       signer_key
           The private key of the TSA in PEM format. The same as the -inkey
           command line option. (Optional)

       signer_digest
           Signing digest to use. The same as the -digest command line option.
           (Mandatory unless specified on the command line)

       default_policy
           The default policy to use when the request does not mandate any
           policy. The same as the -tspolicy command line option. (Optional)

       other_policies
           Comma separated list of policies that are also acceptable by the
           TSA and used only if the request explicitly specifies one of them.
           (Optional)

       digests
           The list of message digest algorithms that the TSA accepts. At
           least one algorithm must be specified. (Mandatory)

       accuracy
           The accuracy of the time source of the TSA in seconds, milliseconds
           and microseconds. E.g. secs:1, millisecs:500, microsecs:100. If any
           of the components is missing zero is assumed for that field.
           (Optional)

       clock_precision_digits
           Specifies the maximum number of digits, which represent the
           fraction of seconds, that  need to be included in the time field.
           The trailing zeroes must be removed from the time, so there might
           actually be fewer digits, or no fraction of seconds at all.
           Supported only on UNIX platforms.  The maximum value is 6, default
           is 0.  (Optional)

       ordering
           If this option is yes the responses generated by this TSA can
           always be ordered, even if the time difference between two
           responses is less than the sum of their accuracies. Default is no.
           (Optional)

       tsa_name
           Set this option to yes if the subject name of the TSA must be
           included in the TSA name field of the response. Default is no.
           (Optional)

       ess_cert_id_chain
           The SignedData objects created by the TSA always contain the
           certificate identifier of the signing certificate in a signed
           attribute (see RFC 2634, Enhanced Security Services). If this
           option is set to yes and either the certs variable or the -chain
           option is specified then the certificate identifiers of the chain
           will also be included in the SigningCertificate signed attribute.
           If this variable is set to no, only the signing certificate
           identifier is included. Default is no. (Optional)

       ess_cert_id_alg
           This option specifies the hash function to be used to calculate the
           TSA's public key certificate identifier. Default is sha1.
           (Optional)

EXAMPLES
       All the examples below presume that OPENSSL_CONF is set to a proper
       configuration file, e.g. the example configuration file
       openssl/apps/openssl.cnf will do.

   Time Stamp Request
       To create a time stamp request for design1.txt with SHA-1 without nonce
       and policy and no certificate is required in the response:

         openssl ts -query -data design1.txt -no_nonce \
               -out design1.tsq

       To create a similar time stamp request with specifying the message
       imprint explicitly:

         openssl ts -query -digest b7e5d3f93198b38379852f2c04e78d73abdd0f4b \
                -no_nonce -out design1.tsq

       To print the content of the previous request in human readable format:

         openssl ts -query -in design1.tsq -text

       To create a time stamp request which includes the MD-5 digest of
       design2.txt, requests the signer certificate and nonce, specifies a
       policy id (assuming the tsa_policy1 name is defined in the OID section
       of the config file):

         openssl ts -query -data design2.txt -md5 \
               -tspolicy tsa_policy1 -cert -out design2.tsq

   Time Stamp Response
       Before generating a response a signing certificate must be created for
       the TSA that contains the timeStamping critical extended key usage
       extension without any other key usage extensions. You can add this line
       to the user certificate section of the config file to generate a proper
       certificate;

          extendedKeyUsage = critical,timeStamping

       See req(1), ca(1), and x509(1) for instructions. The examples below
       assume that cacert.pem contains the certificate of the CA, tsacert.pem
       is the signing certificate issued by cacert.pem and tsakey.pem is the
       private key of the TSA.

       To create a time stamp response for a request:

         openssl ts -reply -queryfile design1.tsq -inkey tsakey.pem \
               -signer tsacert.pem -out design1.tsr

       If you want to use the settings in the config file you could just
       write:

         openssl ts -reply -queryfile design1.tsq -out design1.tsr

       To print a time stamp reply to stdout in human readable format:

         openssl ts -reply -in design1.tsr -text

       To create a time stamp token instead of time stamp response:

         openssl ts -reply -queryfile design1.tsq -out design1_token.der -token_out

       To print a time stamp token to stdout in human readable format:

         openssl ts -reply -in design1_token.der -token_in -text -token_out

       To extract the time stamp token from a response:

         openssl ts -reply -in design1.tsr -out design1_token.der -token_out

       To add 'granted' status info to a time stamp token thereby creating a
       valid response:

         openssl ts -reply -in design1_token.der -token_in -out design1.tsr

   Time Stamp Verification
       To verify a time stamp reply against a request:

         openssl ts -verify -queryfile design1.tsq -in design1.tsr \
               -CAfile cacert.pem -untrusted tsacert.pem

       To verify a time stamp reply that includes the certificate chain:

         openssl ts -verify -queryfile design2.tsq -in design2.tsr \
               -CAfile cacert.pem

       To verify a time stamp token against the original data file:
         openssl ts -verify -data design2.txt -in design2.tsr \
               -CAfile cacert.pem

       To verify a time stamp token against a message imprint:
         openssl ts -verify -digest b7e5d3f93198b38379852f2c04e78d73abdd0f4b \
                -in design2.tsr -CAfile cacert.pem

       You could also look at the 'test' directory for more examples.

BUGS
       o No support for time stamps over SMTP, though it is quite easy to
         implement an automatic e-mail based TSA with procmail(1) and perl(1).
         HTTP server support is provided in the form of a separate apache
         module. HTTP client support is provided by tsget(1). Pure TCP/IP
         protocol is not supported.

       o The file containing the last serial number of the TSA is not locked
         when being read or written. This is a problem if more than one
         instance of openssl(1) is trying to create a time stamp response at
         the same time. This is not an issue when using the apache server
         module, it does proper locking.

       o Look for the FIXME word in the source files.

       o The source code should really be reviewed by somebody else, too.

       o More testing is needed, I have done only some basic tests (see
         test/testtsa).

SEE ALSO
       tsget(1), openssl(1), req(1), x509(1), ca(1), genrsa(1), config(5)

COPYRIGHT
       Copyright 2006-2019 The OpenSSL Project Authors. All Rights Reserved.

       Licensed under the OpenSSL license (the "License").  You may not use
       this file except in compliance with the License.  You can obtain a copy
       in the file LICENSE in the source distribution or at
       <https://www.openssl.org/source/license.html>.

1.1.1f                            2023-10-10                          TS(1SSL)
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