Configure client authentication for Active Directory

Client authentication is the most secure way of setting up a connection to the directory. This guide is split into 5 parts for setting up client authentication for Active Directory.

Prepare a client certificate

Step 1

  • Log in to the Active Directory with the user "keyhub" (see Prepare AD).

  • Open Microsoft Management Console (mmc.exe).

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Step 2

  • Open File → Add /Remove Snap-in

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Step 3

  • Select Certificates.

  • Click Add.

  • Click OK.

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Step 4

  • Select My user account.

  • Click Finish.

  • Click OK.

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Step 5

  • Right click Personal (from Console root → Certificates - Current User).

  • Select All tasks → Request New Certificate.

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Step 6

  • Click Next.

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Step 7

  • Select User.

  • Expand details.

  • Click Properties.

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Step 8

  • Select Subject tab.

  • Fill in cn=keyhub in the Full DN Value box.

  • Click Add.

  • Click OK.

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Step 9

  • Click Enroll.

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Step 10

  • Done. Your client certificate is created.

Export the client certificate and key

From the management console with user certificate snap in (see step 1 through 4 here).

Step 1

  • Right click the certificate you want to export.

  • Select All tasks.

  • Select Export.

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Step 2

  • Click Next.

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Step 3

  • Select Yes…​

  • Click Next.

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Step 4

  • Select Personal Information Exchange.

  • Click Next.

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Step 5

  • Select Password.

  • Fill in your password.

  • Click Next.

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Step 6

  • Specify the name and location for your exported certificate.

  • Click Next.

  • Click Finish.

  • Click OK.

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Step 7

  • Done. Your certificate and key are packed in a .pfx file.

Convert the PFX to a certificate and private key

To concert PFX to PEM you can use OpenSSL. OpenSSL is availlable for different platforms. An example for Powershell is included. If you have access to a system with OpenSSL installed you can find the commands to convert a PFX here.

Powershell.
  • Install chocolaty following the instructions on their website.

  • Change into the OpenSSL bin directory.

cd C:\Program Files\OpenSSL\bin
  • Run the commands as mentioned here.

Prepare the Active Directory user

Step 1

  • Open Active Directory Users and Computers.

  • Find the user keyhub.

  • Right click and select Name Mappings.

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Step 2

  • Select Add.

  • Browse to the and open the .pem certificate file.

  • Click OK.

  • Click OK.

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Step 3

  • Done. The user keyhub can now use a client certificate to bind.

Configure KeyHub

Step 1

  • From the menu select MANAGE ACCESS.

  • Find and click the Active Directory you want to configure.

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Step 2

  • From the TLS dropdown menu select Client authentication.

  If you have a pinned certificate select Client authentication - Pinnned certificate
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Step 3

  • Upload your public certificate, private key and fill in your private key password.

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Step 4

  • Click TEST.

  • Click SAVE.

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Step 5

  • Done. You are now using client authentication instead of a bind with username and password.