Convert/Replace existing websphere default chained Certificates from 1024 to 2048 keysize and also signatureAlgorithm

AdminRAM
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Convert websphere application server default chained Certificates from 1024 to 2048 keysize or higher size and also you can change signatureAlgorithm .

Please make sure Websphere Application Server fixpack 7.0.0.23 or Above. The following steps applicable only on Websphere Application server fixpack 7.0.0.23 or Above


During installation of Websphere Application Server v7.0 it comes default keystore and root CA has default 1024 bit key size. With this approach, you upgrade the root CA key size to a 2048 bit root certificate and it will increase level of security for vulnerabilities

Please see the following steps.

NOTE: This document assumes that you are using a default SSL configuration and Default SSL keystores.

1) Run backupConfig on the Deployment Manager.
backupConfig command

You can use backupconfig -nostop
-nostop
    Tells the backupConfig command not to stop the servers before backing up the configuration

C:\WebSpherev7.0.0.23\profiles\Dmgr01\bin>wsadmin

The following  command update key size and algorithm

$AdminTask convertCertForSecurityStandard {-fipsLevel FIPS140-2 -signatureAlgorithm SHA256withRSA -keySize 2048 }

The following command update key size

$AdminTask convertCertForSecurityStandard {-fipsLevel FIPS140-2 -keySize 2048 }

The following command save the above configuration changes.

$AdminConfig save

The above Command will update and replace all default certificate that comes in websphere application server  with a new 2048 bit  key size  for example files key.p12 for cell and node, trust.p12, root-key.p12..etc

Example Path:

\WebSphere_Install\profiles\ND-DMGR-Profile\config\cells\cellName\key.p12  
\WebSphere_Install\profiles\ND-DMGR-Profile\config\cells\cellName\trust.p12  
\WebSphere_Install\profiles\ND-DMGR-Profile\config\cells\cellName\nodes\CellManaager(dmgr)\root-key.p12

Go to Adminconsole and check the default certificate

SSL certificate and keymanagement > Keystores and certificates >  celldefaultkeystore/Nodedefaultkeystore > personal certificate > click default

You will see key size changed from 1024 to 2048 and also algorithm from SHA1withRSA to SHA256withRSA

Make sure Sync the nodes with dmgr. From the Adminconsole expand System Administration > click on nodes > Fully synchronized

Restart the complete websphere Application server. such as dmgr, nodeagent and all application server.

You need to manually copy the trust store to each of the /etc directories. Which is required for Client operations such as stopdmgr, wsadmin syncnode, serverstatus commands...etc
    
Backup the trust.p12 in profile_root\Dmgr\etc

Copy the profile_root\Dmgr\config\cells\cell-name\trust.p12 ( example path : \WebSphere_Install\profiles\ND-DMGR-Profile\config\cells\cellName\trust.p12)

If you have SSL between Plugin and websphere application server then you have to propagated the plugin-keykdb from webspere adminconsole or you have to add new websphere root certificate under signer certificate of plugin-key.kdb because the above change will update the websphere root CA certificate with new serial number.
 
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Comments (3)

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Author

Commented:
It is useful document for converting existing cert because if you are using 1024 key size certificates then security scan tool might fail.
HonorGodSoftware Engineer
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Commented:
Technically, one can not "convert" a certificate (not even the expiration date).  Only a new certificate can be generated, or requested from a Certificate Authority (CA).
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Author

Commented:
convert option will generated new cert and replace automatically and it will still remain WAS default certificate which will be monitor by certificate expiration monitor tool in WAS.

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