Problem Statement:
Pre-requisite is to generate a PKCS#12 file using openssl 3.x or above.
Note: I have created a sample cert, but unable to upload it to this thread. Let me know if there is a different way I can upload.
When trying to import a p12 certificate (generated using openssl 3.x) using SecPKCS12Import on MacOS (tried on Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia).
It is failing with the error code: -25264 and error message: MAC verification failed during PKCS12 import (wrong password?).
I have tried importing in multiple ways through,
Security Framework API (SecPKCS12Import)
CLI (security import <cert_name> -k ~/Library/Keychains/login.keychain -P "<password>”)
Drag and drop in to the Keychain Application
All of them fail to import the p12 cert.
RCA:
The issues seems to be due to the difference in the MAC algorithm.
The MAC algorithm used in the modern certs (by OpenSSL3 is SHA-256) which is not supported by the APPLE’s Security Framework. The keychain seems to be expecting the MAC algorithm to be SHA-1.
Workaround:
The current workaround is to convert the modern p12 cert to a legacy format (using openssl legacy provider which uses openssl 1.1.x consisting of insecure algorithms) which the SecPKCS12Import API understands.
I have created a sample code using references from another similar thread (https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/723242) from 2023.
The steps to compile and execute the sample is mentioned in the same file.
PFA the sample code by the name “pkcs12_modern_to_legacy_converter.cpp”.
Also PFA a sample certificate which will help reproduce the issue by the name “modern_certificate.p12” whose password is “export”.
Questions:
Is there a fix on this issue? If yes, pls guide me through it; else, is it expected to be fixed in the future releases?
Is there a different way to import the p12 cert which is resistant to the issue?
This issue also poses a security concerns on using outdated cryptographic algorithms. Kindly share your thoughts.
pkcs12_modern_to_legacy_converter.cpp
Selecting any option will automatically load the page