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Add documentation on SSH Authentication with FIDO2 #514
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2820cb1
Docs: add SSH Authentication (ssh.rst + terminal.png)
ABuljko d4f314d
Docs: update SSH Authentication (ssh.rst)
ABuljko baed971
Docs: update SSH Authentication (ssh.rst)
ABuljko 332b852
Docs: update SSH Authentication (ssh.rst)
ABuljko b6e3538
Docs: update SSH Authentication (ssh.rst)
ABuljko 052f34c
Docs: update SSH Authentication (ssh.rst)
ABuljko b1ce29f
Enhance SSH documentation for Nitrokey usage
jans23 bebd1bd
Merge branch 'main' into ssh-authentication
ABuljko 9a5888d
Update SSH key generation instructions
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| SSH Authentication with FIDO2 | ||
| ============================= | ||
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| .. product-table:: nk3 passkey fido2 | ||
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| SSH (Secure Shell) is a network protocol used to securely access and manage remote systems such as servers or code repositories (e.g. GitLab, GitHub). It uses cryptographic key pairs for authentication, allowing passwordless logins with strong security. With a Nitrokey, the private SSH key is generated and stored directly on the device, so it never leaves the hardware. Each login requires you to touch the Nitrokey, adding a simple physical confirmation that protects against unauthorized access. | ||
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| Generating SSH Key | ||
| ------------------ | ||
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| 1. Insert the Nitrokey into your computer. | ||
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| 2. Open a terminal and create your SSH key. Replace ``"your_comment"`` with a label to identify it (e.g., "Nitrokey GitLab"). | ||
| By default, the key is a non-resident key, meaning a local key handle is stored in ``~/.ssh/`` while the private key remains securely on the Nitrokey. | ||
| Use the ``-O resident`` option if you want the key to be portable across systems. | ||
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| .. code-block:: shell-session | ||
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| ssh-keygen -t ed25519-sk -C "your_comment" | ||
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| or to create a resident key | ||
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| .. code-block:: shell-session | ||
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| ssh-keygen -t ed25519-sk -O resident -C "your_comment" | ||
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| .. note:: | ||
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| Resident keys can later be listed and imported on another system with: | ||
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Contributor
There was a problem hiding this comment. Choose a reason for hiding this commentThe reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more. see above comment about reasoning for resident keys |
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| .. code-block:: shell-session | ||
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| ssh-keygen -K | ||
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| 3. During key generation, you may also be asked to set a **passphrase**. This passphrase encrypts the local key handle stored in ``~/.ssh/`` (not the private key on the Nitrokey, which always stays securely inside the device). The passphrase is different from the FIDO2 device PIN. The PIN protects the physical key itself, while the passphrase protects your local SSH public key file. We recommend to use a passphrase to protect non-resident keys only. | ||
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| 4. When asked for a file path, accept the default option (``~/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk``) or choose a custom name like ``id_ed25519_sk_gitlab``. | ||
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| 5. If the Nitrokey blinks, confirm the operation by touching it. | ||
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| Eventually the following files will be created. The file names may differ if you specified a custom name when generating the key. | ||
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| ``~/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk`` → handle to the private key (stored securely on the Nitrokey) | ||
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| ``~/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk.pub`` → public key file | ||
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| .. figure:: images/ssh/terminal.png | ||
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| :alt: img0 | ||
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| Adding Your Public Key | ||
| ---------------------- | ||
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| Once your SSH key pair is generated, the public key must be added to the service or server you want to access. | ||
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| 1. Display your public key: | ||
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| .. code-block:: shell-session | ||
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| cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk.pub | ||
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| Example output (do not use this key):: | ||
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| [email protected] AAAAGnNrLXNzaC1lZDI1NTE5QG7wZW4zc2guY29tAAAAILeZl6r07HV4i1rK07OfLqD3J4IzX2q0lB6Ok0pdxoG5AAAABHNzaDo= your_comment | ||
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| 2. Copy the output and add it to your account’s SSH key settings. See `GitLab <https://docs.gitlab.com/user/ssh/#add-an-ssh-key-to-your-gitlab-account>` or `GitHub <https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/connecting-to-github-with-ssh/adding-a-new-ssh-key-to-your-github-account>` for detailed steps. To enable SSH remote server access, add your public key to the file ``~/.ssh/authorized_keys`` of your user account on the SSH server. | ||
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for now I would not mention any reason for or against resident keys - I'd prefer to have a separate page/article in FIDO2 about Resident-Keys/Passkeys. Please just leave a recommendation that people should use resident-keys for ssh.
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ok, let's leave the "recommendations" out and just describe the different options (like
-o resident) and the refer to the page/article which describes the resident-key-advantages/disadvantages