Certificate Management
Cert tools
🗃️ What is a Keystore?
Keystores are secure, encrypted databases used to store cryptographic keys and certificates. They are essential for:
🔑 Private Key Management
Safely storing private keys for SSL/TLS, code signing, and authentication.
🔗 Certificate Chains
Managing certificate chains for trust validation in servers and applications.
🛡️ Secure Application Deployment
Ensuring only trusted keys/certs are used in production environments.
Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of PKI and certificates
- Access to a keystore file (.jks, .p12, .bks, etc.)
⚙️ Technical Deep Dive
Keystore Formats
JKS (Java KeyStore)
- Proprietary Oracle format, Java default
- Stores private keys and certificates
- File extensions:
.jks,.keystore
PKCS#12 (PFX/P12)
- Industry standard, cross-platform
- Supports private keys, certificates, and chains
- File extensions:
.p12,.pfx
How Keystore Analysis Works
- File Parsing: Reads keystore structure and entries
- Entry Extraction: Lists aliases, key types, certificate chains
- Cryptographic Analysis: Checks key sizes, algorithms, certificate validity
Security Considerations
- Always use strong passwords for keystores
- Restrict access to keystore files
- Rotate keys and certificates regularly
Best Practices
- Use PKCS#12 for interoperability
- Document all keystore passwords securely
- Audit keystores for unused or expired entries
💡 Interactive Examples
(See a real keystore analysis)
What to Look For:
- Aliases for private keys and certificates
- Key types (RSA, EC), key sizes
- Certificate chain details
Troubleshooting Tips:
- If parsing fails, check the keystore format and password
- Unsupported formats may require conversion
- Expired or weak keys should be replaced