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What happens if your SSH key is compromised?
When you configure SSH for public key authentication, private keys then enable access to accounts. If a private key gets compromised, an attacker can authenticate into the account (s) where the private key is trusted.
Are there any backdoors in the SSH protocol?
Backdoor Keys: By default, most SSH implementations (e.g., OpenSSH) allow users to configure their own authorized key files (placing a public key in an account so they can access it using a private key).
Do you know how many SSH keys you have?
With administrators coming and going over time, many organizations have accumulated large numbers of SSH keys but do not have visibility into the access they provide.
How is SSH used in the operating system?
SSH is generally integrated with other components to enable access (e.g., operating system permissions, sudo, PAM, identity management, etc.). It is difficult enough to centrally orchestrate the secure configuration of all these components to prevent an attacker from successfully escalating privileges during an attack.
How are public and private keys used in SSH?
These keypairs include a public key and private key that are cryptographically secure and used to authenticate a client to an SSH server. The private key should be kept secret – if compromised, the private key alone can allow attackers to log into servers or systems. The public key is kept on the server that you want to authenticate into.
What happens when a client tries to authenticate with SSH?
When a client attempts to authenticate using SSH keys, the server can test the client on whether they are in possession of the private key. If the client can prove that it owns the private key, a shell session is spawned or the requested command is executed.
What are the key pairs for SSH authentication?
Each key pair consists of a public key and a private key. The private key is retained by the client and should be kept absolutely secret. Any compromise of the private key will allow the attacker to log into servers that are configured with the associated public key without additional authentication.