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How do I create a self signed intermediate certificate?
Create Intermediate CA Certificates
- Create an OpenSSL configuration file called ca_intermediate.
- Generate the private key using a strong encryption algorithm such as 4096-bit AES256.
- Create a signing request.
- Sign the intermediate signing request with the root CA certificate.
How do I get intermediate certificate?
One of the simplest ways to find the intermediate certificate and export it is through an Internet Browser such as Google Chrome. Browse to the website that you need to get an intermediate certificate for and press F12. Browse to the security tab inside the developer tools. Click View certificate.
How does an intermediate certificate work in a root CA?
An Intermediate Certificate is a subordinate certificate issued by a Root certificate authority for the purpose of issuing certificates. This creates a certificate chain that begins in the Root CA, through the intermediate and ending in the issued certificate. This establishes a chain of trust that can verify the validity of a certificate.
Can a root CA sign a server certificate?
Typically, the root CA does not sign server or client certificates directly. The root CA is only ever used to create one or more intermediate CAs, which are trusted by the root CA to sign certificates on their behalf. This is best practice.
Can a root CA be turned into a subordinate CA?
I want to build the new structure according to best practices, by creating an offline root, authorizing several subordinate CAs for fault-tolerance, etc. but I don’t want to mess up what’s already in place. Apparently you cannot turn an existing root CA into a subordinate, so that’s ruled out.
How is the root CA used in OpenSSL?
The root CA is only ever used to create one or more intermediate CAs, which are trusted by the root CA to sign certificates on their behalf. This is best practice. It allows the root key to be kept offline and unused as much as possible, as any compromise of the root key is disastrous.