NKey Plugin for Vault

I started to mess around with the excellent NATS and NGS recently. When I went through the setup, I noticed that they were using a new form of authentication called nkeys. nkeys' approach to the handling of private keys will be quite familiar to cryptocurrency folks - specifically Stellar. As is typical with these schemes, care must be taken to protect private keys or seeds. In this case, extra care is needed since the seed is stored unencrypted on the file system. As is my wont in these situations, I picked up my HashiCorp Vault hammer and start looking for the nail head.

Basic Functionality

The nkey plugin is a Vault secrets plugin that attempts to keep the nkey private key material within the Vault enclave. This means that key generation, seed material and signing operations are features of the plugin. In the nkey model, there is a notion of trust: if you don't trust a signer, you don't trust claims issued by that signer. Clearly, there need to be controls that protect the establishment of trust, and this is something that Vault can do well.

There is business logic governing the hierarchical controls on nkey identities. This hierarchy looks like:

*── operator
    ├── account
    │   └── user
    └── cluster
        └── server

There is some attempt to maintain this hierarchy via the (indirect) use of the ExpectedPrefixes() implementation in the Claims interface in NATS JWT implementation. The goal here is just to go far enough to allow Vault to protect nkeys.

Basic Client Use

The expectation is that you would administer identities via Vault. A basic CLI binding is available for Golang that you can then use with the NATS client:

nc, err := nats.Connect("connect.ngs.global", cli.VaultCredentials("nkey/identities/ngs-account", "nkey/identities/ngs-user"))

Examples of Usage

There is a BATS test script that shows some basic Vault CLI commands to administer nkeys, and to sign and verify claims and payloads (nonces.)

For example, the test to import an account nkey:

@test "import ngs account" {
  path=$HOME"/.nkeys/synadia/accounts/ngs/ngs.nk"
  user="$(vault write -format=json nkey/import/ngs-account path=$path | jq .data)"
  type="$(echo $user | jq -r .type)"
    [ "$type" = "account" ]
}

This test creates a user and sets the nkey/import/ngs-account as the only trusted signer:

@test "create trusted user" {
  account_key="$(vault read -format=json nkey/identities/ngs-account | jq -r .data.public_key)"
  user="$(vault write -format=json nkey/identities/trusted-user type=user trusted_keys=$account_key | jq .data)"
  trusted_keys="$(echo $user | jq -r '.trusted_keys[]' | tr -d '"')"
  type="$(echo $user | jq -r .type)"
    [ "$type" = "user" ]
    [ "$trusted_keys" = "$account_key" ]
}

Installation

These scripts may help you install Vault and the plugin.

The plugin has to be configured before it can be used. The gives the operator the ability to establish IP constraints on the plugin (which hosts are allowed to use the plugin.)

NKey Plugin API

Vault provides a CLI that wraps the Vault REST interface. Any HTTP client (including the Vault CLI) can be used for accessing the API. Since the REST API produces JSON, I use the wonderful jq for the examples.

NKEY PLUGIN CONFIGURATION

Plugin Configuration

NKEY IDENTITY LIFECYCLE

NKEY SIGNING AND VERIFICATION

NKEY PLUGIN CONFIGURE

This endpoint will allow you to whitelist the IPs that are allowed to interact with the plugin

Method	Path	Produces
`LIST`	`:mount-path/config`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path where the plugin is mounted. This is specified as part of the URL.

Sample Payload

{
    "path":"/Users/cypherhat/go/src/github.com/immutability-io/vault-nkey/test"
}

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request POST \
    --data @payload.json \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/config | jq .

Sample Response

The example below shows output.

{
  "request_id": "5f3a09f4-20a6-c0d0-8c7e-cb177eee8afd",
  "lease_id": "",
  "renewable": false,
  "lease_duration": 0,
  "data": {
    "bound_cidr_list": [
      "127.0.0.1"
    ]
  },
  "wrap_info": null,
  "warnings": null,
  "auth": null
}

LIST NKEY IDENTITIES

This endpoint will list all identities stores at a path.

Method	Path	Produces
`LIST`	`:mount-path/identities`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path of the identities to list. This is specified as part of the URL.

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request LIST \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/identities | jq .

Sample Response

The example below shows output for a query path of /nkey/identities/.

{
  "request_id": "f3837dac-4310-2dc3-2d16-7b8ab070c55e",
  "lease_id": "",
  "renewable": false,
  "lease_duration": 0,
  "data": {
    "keys": [
      "account",
      "cluster",
      "operator",
      "server",
      "untrusted-operator",
      "user"
    ]
  },
  "wrap_info": null,
  "warnings": null,
  "auth": null
}

READ NKEY IDENTITY

This endpoint will list details about the nkey identity at a path.

Method	Path	Produces
`GET`	`:mount-path/identities/:name`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path of the identities to list. This is specified as part of the URL.
name (string: <required>) - Specifies the name of the identity to read. This is specified as part of the URL.

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request GET \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/identities/operator | jq .

Sample Response

The example below shows output for a read of /nkey/identities/operator.

{
  "request_id": "a8d434f6-30b4-5fe9-1d6f-734a13810fe3",
  "lease_id": "",
  "renewable": false,
  "lease_duration": 0,
  "data": {
    "public_key": "OCINRWCYYJT5VXWIV5SSGDLFRCLWVH66AJPPKOVOUE3OANUOUPZYOBLU",
    "trusted_keys": null,
    "type": "operator"
  },
  "wrap_info": null,
  "warnings": null,
  "auth": null
}

CREATE NKEY IDENTITY

This endpoint will create a identity at a path.

Method	Path	Produces
`POST`	`:mount-path/identities/:name`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path of the identities to list. This is specified as part of the URL.
name (string: <required>) - Specifies the name of the identity to create. This is specified as part of the URL.
type (string: <required>) - Specifies the type of the identity to create. (Defaults to user)
trusted_keys (string: <optional>) - Specifies the identities that are allowed to sign claims made by this name.

Sample Payload

{
    "type":"account",
    "trusted_keys":"OCINRWCYYJT5VXWIV5SSGDLFRCLWVH66AJPPKOVOUE3OANUOUPZYOBLU"
}

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request POST \
    --data @payload.json \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/identities/immutability | jq .

Sample Response

The example below shows output for the successful creation of /nkey/identities/immutability.

{
  "request_id": "b567120f-c0b2-ce99-f20b-da8ca0711062",
  "lease_id": "",
  "renewable": false,
  "lease_duration": 0,
  "data": {
    "public_key": "ADCRKHMDY36FQZPGQBOYBTZNGLLWKGOT25ASPODZ73NOVDCFV3WQS5VA",
    "trusted_keys": [
      "OCINRWCYYJT5VXWIV5SSGDLFRCLWVH66AJPPKOVOUE3OANUOUPZYOBLU"
    ],
    "type": "account"
  },
  "wrap_info": null,
  "warnings": null,
  "auth": null
}

DELETE NKEY IDENTITY

This endpoint will delete the identity - and its passphrase - from Vault.

Method	Path	Produces
`DELETE`	`:mount-path/identities/:name`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path of the identities to list. This is specified as part of the URL.
name (string: <required>) - Specifies the name of the identity to update. This is specified as part of the URL.

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request DELETE \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/identities/immutability

Sample Response

There is no response payload.

EXPORT NKEY IDENTITY

This endpoint will export a JSON Keystore for use in another wallet.

Method	Path	Produces
`POST`	`:mount-path/identities/:name/export`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path where the plugin is mounted. This is specified as part of the URL.
name (string: <required>) - Specifies the name of the identity to export. This is specified as part of the URL.
path (string: <required>) - The absolute path where the .nk keystore file will be exported to.

Sample Payload

{
    "path":"/Users/cypherhat/go/src/github.com/immutability-io/vault-nkey/test"
}

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request POST \
    --data @payload.json \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/identities/operator/export | jq .

Sample Response

The example below shows output for the successful export of the keystore for /nkey/identities/operator/export.

{
  "request_id": "90213934-7c62-b7ec-ffd2-413a19d89288",
  "lease_id": "",
  "renewable": false,
  "lease_duration": 0,
  "data": {
    "file": "/Users/cypherhat/go/src/github.com/immutability-io/vault-nkey/test/operator.nk"
  },
  "wrap_info": null,
  "warnings": null,
  "auth": null
}

File Contents

$ cat /Users/cypherhat/go/src/github.com/immutability-io/vault-nkey/test/operator.nk
SOAMZFV6VS3X7CWRUL6FDLXHNXWWIBFUWA6YQ5OACIL3I55O2H4YUIYUEM%

SIGN CLAIM

This endpoint signs a claim.

Method	Path	Produces
`POST`	`:mount-path/identities/:name/sign-claim`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path where the plugin is mounted. This is specified as part of the URL.
name (string: <required>) - Specifies the name of the identity that will sign the claim. This is specified as part of the URL.
subject (string: <optional>) - The subject of the claim. If present, it will override the subject in the raw claims.
type (string: <required>) - The type of the claim. Can be one of account,activation,user,server,cluster,operator,revocation,generic.
claims (JSON string: <required>) - The claims that will be made. This must match the type of claim.

Sample Payload

{
    "subject": "AA66QQ2NQZEQTEEUBNK4QBCE7MHWWVS4MFCV3J5V2ONOWIFLH7ISMPZM",
    "type": "account",
    "claims": "{\"sub\": \"ACBXX4MOY4AQCUN4PF77SLJCALTNSMYK5W47BRIL37QGPECQIZSNJDHH\",\"nats\": {\"limits\": {\"subs\": -1,\"conn\": -1,\"imports\": -1,\"exports\": -1,\"data\": -1,\"payload\": -1,\"wildcards\": true}}}"
}

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request POST \
    --data @payload.json \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/identities/operator/sign-claim | jq .

Sample Response

The example below shows output.

{
  "request_id": "500b66e6-8b6c-16f7-c7cd-69bda0c72ae3",
  "lease_id": "",
  "renewable": false,
  "lease_duration": 0,
  "data": {
    "public_key": "OCETMGWTA7533X7M25RJAV3JRRR3CNBJC5YNGHVHUBZD32GO3VOVW6Q7",
    "token": "eyJ0eXAiOiJqd3QiLCJhbGciOiJlZDI1NTE5In0.eyJqdGkiOiJCRldCVUJaQzJKQVhZSUw1SVhUUU9FVlBMWFhCTEFFRDczVVZSMklHSjM2RjI3NEg3TTNBIiwiaWF0IjoxNTQ1MTYyNjgwLCJpc3MiOiJPQ0VUTUdXVEE3NTMzWDdNMjVSSkFWM0pSUlIzQ05CSkM1WU5HSFZIVUJaRDMyR08zVk9WVzZRNyIsInN1YiI6IkFBNjZRUTJOUVpFUVRFRVVCTks0UUJDRTdNSFdXVlM0TUZDVjNKNVYyT05PV0lGTEg3SVNNUFpNIiwidHlwZSI6ImFjY291bnQiLCJuYXRzIjp7ImxpbWl0cyI6eyJzdWJzIjotMSwiY29ubiI6LTEsImltcG9ydHMiOi0xLCJleHBvcnRzIjotMSwiZGF0YSI6LTEsInBheWxvYWQiOi0xLCJ3aWxkY2FyZHMiOnRydWV9fX0.gFujgXNijljcyCA5zgMd67cMdqR7uWQYb2EF5_ZDs7SCN3LGqFdz6Hmr5o_rCD4gNb7hHKJWtbpptJU_t2k_Cw",
    "type": "account"
  },
  "wrap_info": null,
  "warnings": null,
  "auth": null
}

SIGN

This endpoint signs a base64 encoded payload.

Method	Path	Produces
`POST`	`:mount-path/identities/:name/sign-claim`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path where the plugin is mounted. This is specified as part of the URL.
name (string: <required>) - Specifies the name of the identity to sign the payload. This is specified as part of the URL.
payload (string: <required>) - The payload to be signed.

Sample Payload

{
    "payload": "boaty mcboaterson"
}

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request POST \
    --data @payload.json \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/identities/operator/sign | jq .

Sample Response

The example below shows output.

{
  "request_id": "41c65819-cf9b-3f28-4076-fcc4a30354ca",
  "lease_id": "",
  "renewable": false,
  "lease_duration": 0,
  "data": {
    "public_key": "OCETMGWTA7533X7M25RJAV3JRRR3CNBJC5YNGHVHUBZD32GO3VOVW6Q7",
    "signature": "X1Sb57oYnRGoYXtUwEXTdjj3C68JJeR+ozoGCoPdqjfB7WftrxaeIhI9wyAFuNNjnO9/Ib9+kgZMePTM+xtwBw=="
  },
  "wrap_info": null,
  "warnings": null,
  "auth": null
}

VERIFY CLAIM AUTHENTICATED

This endpoint verifies that a claim was signed by a trusted issuer.

Method	Path	Produces
`POST`	`:mount-path/identities/:name/verify-claim`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path where the plugin is mounted. This is specified as part of the URL.
name (string: <required>) - Specifies the name of the identity that will verify the claim (token). This is specified as part of the URL.
token (string: <required>) - The token to be verified.

Sample Payload

{
    "token": "eyJ0eXAiOiJqd3QiLCJhbGciOiJlZDI1NTE5In0.eyJqdGkiOiJCRldCVUJaQzJKQVhZSUw1SVhUUU9FVlBMWFhCTEFFRDczVVZSMklHSjM2RjI3NEg3TTNBIiwiaWF0IjoxNTQ1MTYyNjgwLCJpc3MiOiJPQ0VUTUdXVEE3NTMzWDdNMjVSSkFWM0pSUlIzQ05CSkM1WU5HSFZIVUJaRDMyR08zVk9WVzZRNyIsInN1YiI6IkFBNjZRUTJOUVpFUVRFRVVCTks0UUJDRTdNSFdXVlM0TUZDVjNKNVYyT05PV0lGTEg3SVNNUFpNIiwidHlwZSI6ImFjY291bnQiLCJuYXRzIjp7ImxpbWl0cyI6eyJzdWJzIjotMSwiY29ubiI6LTEsImltcG9ydHMiOi0xLCJleHBvcnRzIjotMSwiZGF0YSI6LTEsInBheWxvYWQiOi0xLCJ3aWxkY2FyZHMiOnRydWV9fX0.gFujgXNijljcyCA5zgMd67cMdqR7uWQYb2EF5_ZDs7SCN3LGqFdz6Hmr5o_rCD4gNb7hHKJWtbpptJU_t2k_Cw"
}

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request POST \
    --data @payload.json \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/identities/account/verify-claim | jq .

Sample Response

The example below shows output.

{
  "request_id": "bbea337e-83e5-5710-d806-35c27b2f2c92",
  "lease_id": "",
  "renewable": false,
  "lease_duration": 0,
  "data": {
    "issuer": "OCETMGWTA7533X7M25RJAV3JRRR3CNBJC5YNGHVHUBZD32GO3VOVW6Q7",
    "public_key": "AA66QQ2NQZEQTEEUBNK4QBCE7MHWWVS4MFCV3J5V2ONOWIFLH7ISMPZM"
  },
  "wrap_info": null,
  "warnings": null,
  "auth": null
}

VERIFY CLAIM

This endpoint verifies that a claim was signed by a trusted issuer.

Method	Path	Produces
`POST`	`:mount-path/verify-claim`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path where the plugin is mounted. This is specified as part of the URL.
token (string: <required>) - The token to be verified.

Sample Payload

{
    "token": "eyJ0eXAiOiJqd3QiLCJhbGciOiJlZDI1NTE5In0.eyJqdGkiOiJCRldCVUJaQzJKQVhZSUw1SVhUUU9FVlBMWFhCTEFFRDczVVZSMklHSjM2RjI3NEg3TTNBIiwiaWF0IjoxNTQ1MTYyNjgwLCJpc3MiOiJPQ0VUTUdXVEE3NTMzWDdNMjVSSkFWM0pSUlIzQ05CSkM1WU5HSFZIVUJaRDMyR08zVk9WVzZRNyIsInN1YiI6IkFBNjZRUTJOUVpFUVRFRVVCTks0UUJDRTdNSFdXVlM0TUZDVjNKNVYyT05PV0lGTEg3SVNNUFpNIiwidHlwZSI6ImFjY291bnQiLCJuYXRzIjp7ImxpbWl0cyI6eyJzdWJzIjotMSwiY29ubiI6LTEsImltcG9ydHMiOi0xLCJleHBvcnRzIjotMSwiZGF0YSI6LTEsInBheWxvYWQiOi0xLCJ3aWxkY2FyZHMiOnRydWV9fX0.gFujgXNijljcyCA5zgMd67cMdqR7uWQYb2EF5_ZDs7SCN3LGqFdz6Hmr5o_rCD4gNb7hHKJWtbpptJU_t2k_Cw"
}

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request POST \
    --data @payload.json \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/verify-claim | jq .

Sample Response

The example below shows output.

{
  "request_id": "bbea337e-83e5-5710-d806-35c27b2f2c92",
  "lease_id": "",
  "renewable": false,
  "lease_duration": 0,
  "data": {
    "issuer": "OCETMGWTA7533X7M25RJAV3JRRR3CNBJC5YNGHVHUBZD32GO3VOVW6Q7",
    "public_key": "AA66QQ2NQZEQTEEUBNK4QBCE7MHWWVS4MFCV3J5V2ONOWIFLH7ISMPZM"
  },
  "wrap_info": null,
  "warnings": null,
  "auth": null
}

VERIFY

This endpoint verifies a signature.

Method	Path	Produces
`POST`	`:mount-path/identities/:name/verify`	`200 application/json`

Parameters

mount-path (string: <required>) - Specifies the path where the plugin is mounted. This is specified as part of the URL.
name (string: <required>) - Specifies the name of the identity to verify the signature. This is specified as part of the URL.
payload (string: <required>) - The payload that was signed.
signature (string: <required>) - The signature to be verified.

Sample Payload

{
    "payload": "boaty mcboaterson",
    "signature": "X1Sb57oYnRGoYXtUwEXTdjj3C68JJeR+ozoGCoPdqjfB7WftrxaeIhI9wyAFuNNjnO9/Ib9+kgZMePTM+xtwBw=="
}

Sample Request

$ curl -s --cacert ~/etc/vault.d/root.crt --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
    --request POST \
    --data @payload.json \
    https://localhost:8200/v1/nkey/identities/operator/verify | jq .

Sample Response

The example below shows output.

{
  "request_id": "9083f395-7d32-4451-8876-a25b0b024905",
  "lease_id": "",
  "renewable": false,
  "lease_duration": 0,
  "data": {
    "public_key": "OCETMGWTA7533X7M25RJAV3JRRR3CNBJC5YNGHVHUBZD32GO3VOVW6Q7"
  },
  "wrap_info": null,
  "warnings": null,
  "auth": null
}

Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
Latest commit History 13 Commits
helper		helper
test		test
util		util
.gitignore		.gitignore
.gitmodules		.gitmodules
LICENSE		LICENSE
README.md		README.md
backend.go		backend.go
helpers.go		helpers.go
main.go		main.go
path_addresses.go		path_addresses.go
path_config.go		path_config.go
path_identities.go		path_identities.go
path_import.go		path_import.go
path_names.go		path_names.go
path_verify.go		path_verify.go

License

immutability-io/nkey

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NKey Plugin for Vault

Basic Functionality

Basic Client Use

Examples of Usage

Installation

NKey Plugin API

NKEY PLUGIN CONFIGURATION

NKEY IDENTITY LIFECYCLE

NKEY SIGNING AND VERIFICATION

NKEY PLUGIN CONFIGURE

Parameters

Sample Payload

Sample Request

Sample Response

LIST NKEY IDENTITIES

Parameters

Sample Request

Sample Response

READ NKEY IDENTITY

Parameters

Sample Request

Sample Response

CREATE NKEY IDENTITY

Parameters

Sample Payload

Sample Request

Sample Response

DELETE NKEY IDENTITY

Parameters

Sample Request

Sample Response

EXPORT NKEY IDENTITY

Parameters

Sample Payload

Sample Request

Sample Response

File Contents

SIGN CLAIM

Parameters

Sample Payload

Sample Request

Sample Response

SIGN

Parameters

Sample Payload

Sample Request

Sample Response

VERIFY CLAIM AUTHENTICATED

Parameters

Sample Payload

Sample Request

Sample Response

VERIFY CLAIM

Parameters

Sample Payload

Sample Request

Sample Response

VERIFY

Parameters

Sample Payload

Sample Request

Sample Response

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