cmu importkey

This function unwraps an RSA, DSA , or ECDSA private key onto the selected token or HSM. The key file may be in any of the following formats:

>PKCS #12(PFX) RSA in a DER-encoded format (.pfx file)

>PKCS #8(Unencrypted PrivatekeyInfo) in RSA or DSA in base 64 PEM, or binary DER format

>PKCS #1 (RSA in base64 PEM, or binary DER) format.

Syntax

cmu importkey -in=<filename> -keyalg=<algorithm> [-wrapkey=<handle>] [-setkeyattr] [-PKCS8] [-PKCS12] [-password=<password>] [-slot=<slot#>]

Argument(s) Description
-in <filename> Defines the full path to the file containing the PEM- or DER-encoded key to import.
-keyalg <algorithm>

Specifies the key's algorithm.

Valid values: DSA,RSA,ECDSA

-PKCS8

Indicates that the key to import is formatted according to the PKCS#8 standard.

NOTE: cmu options are case-sensitive.

-PKCS12

Indicates that the key to import is formatted according to the PKCS#12 standard. Only the private key portion is unwrapped onto the token. Any certificates in this file are simply ignored. It is assumed that you properly export a PKCS #12 key from Windows keystore (or other source, as appropriate).

NOTE: cmu options are case-sensitive.

-setkeyattr Allows the user to manually enter the imported key’s attributes. Modifiable key attributes are CKA_DECRYPT, CKA_SIGN, CKA_EXTRACTABLE, and CKA_UNWRAP. The defaults are always 1=true.
-wrapkey <handle> The handle of the existing key that is to be used as the wrapping key. This key must have the CKA_WRAP attribute set to true. If this flag is not specified the default behavior is to auto-generate a 3DES key for the sole purpose of unwrapping the key onto the HSM.
Common
-password=<password> The password for the role accessing the current slot, with the current command.  If this is not specified, it is prompted.  
-slot=<slote#> The slot to be acted upon, by the current command.  If this is not specified, it is prompted.  

Example

cmu importkey -in rawrsa1028.pem –keyalg RSA -wrapkey 11 –setkeyattr
 
cmu importkey –PKCS8 –in pk8privkey.pem –keyalg DSA
 
cmu importkey –in rsakey.pem –keyalg RSA –wrapkey 11
 
cmu importkey –in rsakey.pem –keyalg RSA
 
cmu importkey –PKCS12 –in p12.pfx –keyalg RSA

Notes

1.Ideally, the private key should be in PKCS#8 format (privatekeyinfo) and not encrypted.

To convert a private key of either RSA or DSA type: (see PKCS#1 for RSA and PKCS#11 (11.9) for DSA) into a PKCS#8 structure, use the following openssl command:

openssl pkcs8 -in key.pem –nocrypt -topk8 -out noenckey.pem

2. If the PKCS#8 structure is already encrypted according to the PKCS#5-PBE standard, then to import via CMU, use the following command:

openssl pkcs8 -in pk8.pem -out key.pem

You are prompted for the password to decrypt the PrivateKeyInfo.

3.You can export the PrivatekeyInfo contents of a .pfx file by using the following openssl command:

openssl pkcs12 –in p12.pfx –out pk12_privkey.pem –nocerts –nodes

You are prompted for the password to decrypt the PrivateKeyInfo.