Working with OpenSSL and Httpd

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Security

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.

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Lab Info

Level

Advanced

Last updated

Sep 23, 2025

Duration

1h 0m

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.

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