-in filename

This specifies the input filename to read from or standard input if this option is not specified. Ignored if the -key option is used.

-out filename

specifies the output filename to write to or standard output by default.

-key keyfile

create an SPKAC file using the private key in keyfile. The -in, -noout, -spksect and -verify options are ignored if present.

-passin password

the input file password source. For more information about the format of arg see the PASS PHRASE ARGUMENTS section in openssl(1).

-challenge string

specifies the challenge string if an SPKAC is being created.

-spkac spkacname

allows an alternative name form the variable containing the SPKAC. The default is ``SPKAC''. This option affects both generated and input SPKAC files.

-spksect section

allows an alternative name form the section containing the SPKAC. The default is the default section.

-noout

don't output the text version of the SPKAC (not used if an SPKAC is being created).

-pubkey

output the public key of an SPKAC (not used if an SPKAC is being created).

-verify

verifies the digital signature on the supplied SPKAC.

-engine id

specifying an engine (by it's unique id string) will cause req to attempt to obtain a functional reference to the specified engine, thus initialising it if needed. The engine will then be set as the default for all available algorithms.

 openssl spkac -in spkac.cnf

Verify the signature of an SPKAC:

 openssl spkac -in spkac.cnf -noout -verify

Create an SPKAC using the challenge string ``hello'':

 openssl spkac -key key.pem -challenge hello -out spkac.cnf

Example of an SPKAC, (long lines split up for clarity):

 SPKAC=MIG5MGUwXDANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAANLADBIAkEA1cCoq2Wa3Ixs47uI7F\
 PVwHVIPDx5yso105Y6zpozam135a8R0CpoRvkkigIyXfcCjiVi5oWk+6FfPaD03u\
 PFoQIDAQABFgVoZWxsbzANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQQFAANBAFpQtY/FojdwkJh1bEIYuc\
 2EeM2KHTWPEepWYeawvHD0gQ3DngSC75YCWnnDdq+NQ3F+X4deMx9AaEglZtULwV\
 4=

SPKACs are typically generated by Netscape when a form is submitted containing the KEYGEN tag as part of the certificate enrollment process.

The challenge string permits a primitive form of proof of possession of private key. By checking the SPKAC signature and a random challenge string some guarantee is given that the user knows the private key corresponding to the public key being certified. This is important in some applications. Without this it is possible for a previous SPKAC to be used in a ``replay attack''.