Cert Rust Reference Documentation

Cert

Current Version: 11.6.1

Chilkat.Cert

Load, inspect, validate, and use X.509 certificates throughout Chilkat.

Chilkat.Cert is the central certificate object used throughout Chilkat for TLS, S/MIME, PKCS7/CMS, PDF signing, XML signing, code signing, decryption, certificate stores, smart cards, HSMs, PKCS#11, and cloud-based signing. It provides a broad set of features for loading certificates, inspecting certificate fields, checking validity, accessing private keys, building chains, checking revocation status, exporting certificate data, and diagnosing certificate-related problems.

Load certificates

Load public certificates from PEM, DER, Base64, files, strings, binary data, certificate stores, PFX/P12 files, smart cards, and other sources.

Inspect certificate details

Read subject and issuer fields, serial numbers, fingerprints, validity dates, key usage, extensions, SAN values, and other X.509 information.

Private key access

Work with certificates backed by private keys from PFX/P12 files, OS certificate stores, smart cards, HSMs, PKCS#11 modules, or cloud signing providers.

Trust and validation

Build and inspect certificate chains, verify signatures, check expiration, examine trust-related information, and work with revocation data.

Use across Chilkat

Pass Cert objects to other Chilkat classes for TLS client authentication, S/MIME, signing, encryption, decryption, and verification.

Export and diagnostics

Export certificate data in common formats and use detailed diagnostic output to troubleshoot loading, validation, private-key, chain, or store problems.

Common pattern: Use certificate-only formats such as PEM or DER when only the public certificate is needed. Use PFX/P12, an OS certificate store, smart-card loading, PKCS#11 linking, HSM integration, or cloud-signing configuration when a private key operation is required.

For an extended overview, see Cert Class Overview.

Object Creation

// Cargo.toml:
//     [dependencies]
//     chilkat = "11.6"

use chilkat::Cert;

// Once per process, before any other Chilkat call:
chilkat::unlock_bundle("Anything for 30-day trial")?;  // shorthand for Global::new().unlock_bundle(..)

let cert = Cert::new();
// ... the native object is freed when `cert` goes out of scope.
pub fn new() -> Cert

Creates the underlying native Chilkat object (Cert also implements Default). Every method takes &self, so the object never needs to be declared mut. A Cert is Send but not Sync: it may be moved to another thread, but a reference to it cannot be shared between threads at the same time.

impl Drop for Cert

The native object is freed when the Cert is dropped — when it goes out of scope, or explicitly with drop(cert). There is no Dispose method to call.

Errors

Methods that can fail return chilkat::Result<T>, which is Result<T, chilkat::Error>: a method whose only outcome is success or failure returns Result<()>, a method producing a string or an object returns Result<String> or Result<Cert>. The error carries the object's LastErrorText at the time of the failure (Error::last_error_text), the class and method names, and implements std::error::Error, so ? works in any function returning chilkat::Result or a Box<dyn Error>. Properties never fail, and methods that answer a question (has_..., is_..., ...) return a plain bool.

match cert.some_method(...) {
    Ok(value) => println!("{value:?}"),
    Err(e) => eprintln!("{}", e.last_error_text()),
}

Properties

AuthorityKeyId
// read-only
pub fn authority_key_id(&self) -> String
Introduced in version 9.5.0.40

The authority key identifier of the certificate in base64 string format. This is only present if the certificate contains the extension OID 2.5.29.35.

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AvoidWindowsPkAccess
// read/write
pub fn avoid_windows_pk_access(&self) -> bool
pub fn set_avoid_windows_pk_access(&self, value: bool)

Applies only when running on a Microsoft Windows operating system. If true, then any method that returns a certificate will not try to also access the associated private key, assuming one exists. This is useful if the certificate was installed with high-security such that a private key access would trigger the Windows OS to display a security warning dialog. The default value of this property is false.

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CertVersion
// read-only
pub fn cert_version(&self) -> i32

The version of the certificate (1, 2, or 3). A value of 0 indicates an error -- the most likely cause being that the certificate object is empty (i.e. was never loaded with a certificate). Note: This is not the version of the software, it is the version of the X.509 certificate object. The version of the Chilkat certificate software is indicated by the Version property.

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DebugLogFilePath
// read/write
pub fn debug_log_file_path(&self) -> String
pub fn set_debug_log_file_path(&self, value: &str)

If set to a file path, this property logs the LastErrorText of each Chilkat method or property call to the specified file. This logging helps identify the context and history of Chilkat calls leading up to any crash or hang, aiding in debugging.

Enabling the VerboseLogging property provides more detailed information. This property is mainly used for debugging rare instances where a Chilkat method call causes a hang or crash, which should generally not happen.

Possible causes of hangs include:

  • A timeout property set to 0, indicating an infinite timeout.
  • A hang occurring within an event callback in the application code.
  • An internal bug in the Chilkat code causing the hang.

More Information and Examples
Example showing how to use DebugLogFilePath.
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Expired
// read-only
pub fn expired(&self) -> bool

Has a value of true if the certificate or any certificate in the chain of authority has expired. (This information is not available when running on Windows 95/98 computers.)

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ExtendedKeyUsage
// read-only
pub fn extended_key_usage(&self) -> String
Introduced in version 9.5.0.85

Returns a string containing a comma separated list of keywords with the extended key usages of the certificate. The list of possible extended key usages are:

  • serverAuth - TLS WWW server authentication
  • clientAuth - TLS WWW client authentication
  • codeSigning - Signing of downloadable executable code
  • emailProtection - Email protection
  • timeStamping - Binding the hash of an object to a time
  • OCSPSigning - Signing OCSP responses

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ForClientAuthentication
// read-only
pub fn for_client_authentication(&self) -> bool

true if this certificate can be used for client authentication, otherwise false.

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ForCodeSigning
// read-only
pub fn for_code_signing(&self) -> bool

true if this certificate can be used for code signing, otherwise false.

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ForSecureEmail
// read-only
pub fn for_secure_email(&self) -> bool

true if this certificate can be used for sending secure email, otherwise false.

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ForServerAuthentication
// read-only
pub fn for_server_authentication(&self) -> bool

true if this certificate can be used for server authentication, otherwise false.

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ForTimeStamping
// read-only
pub fn for_time_stamping(&self) -> bool

true if this certificate can be used for time stamping, otherwise false.

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IntendedKeyUsage
// read-only
pub fn intended_key_usage(&self) -> u32

Bitflags indicating the intended usages of the certificate. The flags are:
Digital Signature: 0x80
Non-Repudiation: 0x40
Key Encipherment: 0x20
Data Encipherment: 0x10
Key Agreement: 0x08
Certificate Signing: 0x04
CRL Signing: 0x02
Encipher-Only: 0x01

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IsRoot
// read-only
pub fn is_root(&self) -> bool

true if this is the root certificate, otherwise false.

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IssuerC
// read-only
pub fn issuer_c(&self) -> String

The certificate issuer's country.

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IssuerCN
// read-only
pub fn issuer_cn(&self) -> String

The certificate issuer's common name.

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IssuerDN
// read-only
pub fn issuer_dn(&self) -> String

The issuer's full distinguished name.

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IssuerE
// read-only
pub fn issuer_e(&self) -> String

The certificate issuer's email address.

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IssuerL
// read-only
pub fn issuer_l(&self) -> String

The certificate issuer's locality, which could be a city, count, township, or other geographic region.

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IssuerO
// read-only
pub fn issuer_o(&self) -> String

The certificate issuer's organization, which is typically the company name.

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IssuerOU
// read-only
pub fn issuer_ou(&self) -> String

The certificate issuer's organizational unit, which is the unit within the organization.

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IssuerS
// read-only
pub fn issuer_s(&self) -> String

The certificate issuer's state or province.

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LastErrorHtml
// read-only
pub fn last_error_html(&self) -> String

Provides HTML-formatted information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.

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LastErrorText
// read-only
pub fn last_error_text(&self) -> String

Provides plain text information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.

More Information and Examples
Concept of LastErrorTextLastErrorText Standard Information
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LastErrorXml
// read-only
pub fn last_error_xml(&self) -> String

Provides XML-formatted information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.

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LastMethodSuccess
// read/write
pub fn last_method_success(&self) -> bool
pub fn set_last_method_success(&self, value: bool)

Indicates the success or failure of the most recent method call: true means success, false means failure. This property remains unchanged by property setters or getters. This method is present to address challenges in checking for null or Nothing returns in certain programming languages. Note: This property does not apply to methods that return integer values or to boolean-returning methods where the boolean does not indicate success or failure.

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OcspUrl
// read-only
pub fn ocsp_url(&self) -> String

If present in the certificate's extensions, returns the OCSP URL of the certificate. (The Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) is an Internet protocol used for obtaining the revocation status of an X.509 digital certificate.)

More Information and Examples
Validate Certificate using OCSP Protocol
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PrivateKeyExportable
// read-only
pub fn private_key_exportable(&self) -> bool

(Relevant only when running on a Microsoft Windows operating system.) Indicates whether the private key was installed with security settings that allow it to be re-exported.

More Information and Examples
Backup Windows Current User / Personal Certificates to a .zip
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Revoked
// read-only
pub fn revoked(&self) -> bool

true if the certificate or any certificate in the chain of authority has been revoked. This information is not available when running on Windows 95/98 computers. Note: If this property is false, it could mean that it was not able to check the revocation status. Because of this uncertainty, a CheckRevoked method has been added. It returns an integer indicating one of three possible states: 1 (revoked) , 0 (not revoked), -1 (unable to check revocation status).

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Rfc822Name
// read-only
pub fn rfc822_name(&self) -> String

The RFC822 name of the certificate. (The RFC822 name is one part of the Subject Alternative Name extension of a certificate, if it exists. It is often the only part of the SAN.)

If the certificate contains a list of RFC822 names then this property will return the comma separated list of names.

Starting in Chilkat v9.5.0.85, to get the complete Subject Alternative Name extension as XML, use the SubjectAlternativeName property.

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SelfSigned
// read-only
pub fn self_signed(&self) -> bool

true if this is a self-signed certificate, otherwise false.

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SerialDecimal
// read-only
pub fn serial_decimal(&self) -> String
Introduced in version 9.5.0.75

The certificate's serial number as a decimal string.

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SerialNumber
// read-only
pub fn serial_number(&self) -> String

The certificate's serial number as a hexidecimal string.

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Sha1Thumbprint
// read-only
pub fn sha1_thumbprint(&self) -> String

Hexidecimal string of the SHA-1 thumbprint for the certificate. (This is the SHA1 hash of the binary DER representation of the entire X.509 certificate.)

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SignatureVerified
// read-only
pub fn signature_verified(&self) -> bool

Returns true if the certificate and all certificates in the chain of authority have valid signatures, otherwise returns false.

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SmartCardFailReason
// read-only
pub fn smart_card_fail_reason(&self) -> i32
Introduced in version 10.1.0

Set after calling LoadFromSmartcard. Possible values are:

  • 0 - No failure. The call to LoadFromSmartcard was successful.
  • 1 - No smartcard or USB token was detected.
  • 2 - The SmartCardPin was provided and the PIN login failed. (Note: Chilkat only PIN authenticates if PKCS11 was the chosen means for communicating with the smartcard.)
  • 3 - The certificate matching the specified criteria was not found.
  • 99 - Some other undefined failure. Consult the LastErrorText for more information.

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SmartCardNoDialog
// read/write
pub fn smart_card_no_dialog(&self) -> bool
pub fn set_smart_card_no_dialog(&self, value: bool)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.77

If set to true, then no dialog will automatically popup if the SmartCardPin is incorrect. Instead, the method requiring the private key on the smart card will fail. The default value of this property is false, which means that if the SmartCardPin property is incorrect, a dialog with prompt will be displayed.

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SmartCardPin
// read/write
pub fn smart_card_pin(&self) -> String
pub fn set_smart_card_pin(&self, value: &str)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.75

Can be set to the PIN value for a certificate / private key stored on a smart card.

More Information and Examples
Create CAdES-BES .p7m using Smart Card or USB TokenCreate XAdES using Smart Card or USB Token
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SubjectAlternativeName
// read-only
pub fn subject_alternative_name(&self) -> String
Introduced in version 9.5.0.85

The subject alternative name (SAN) name of the certificate returned as XML. See the examples linked below.

More Information and Examples
Subject Alternative NameGet Certificate User Principal Name (UPN)
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SubjectC
// read-only
pub fn subject_c(&self) -> String

The certificate subject's country.

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SubjectCN
// read-only
pub fn subject_cn(&self) -> String

The certificate subject's common name.

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SubjectDN
// read-only
pub fn subject_dn(&self) -> String

The certificate subject's full distinguished name.

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SubjectE
// read-only
pub fn subject_e(&self) -> String

The certificate subject's email address.

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SubjectKeyId
// read-only
pub fn subject_key_id(&self) -> String
Introduced in version 9.5.0.40

The subject key identifier of the certificate in base64 string format. This is only present if the certificate contains the extension OID 2.5.29.14.

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SubjectL
// read-only
pub fn subject_l(&self) -> String

The certificate subject's locality, which could be a city, count, township, or other geographic region.

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SubjectO
// read-only
pub fn subject_o(&self) -> String

The certificate subject's organization, which is typically the company name.

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SubjectOU
// read-only
pub fn subject_ou(&self) -> String

The certificate subject's organizational unit, which is the unit within the organization.

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SubjectS
// read-only
pub fn subject_s(&self) -> String

The certificate subject's state or province.

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TrustedRoot
// read-only
pub fn trusted_root(&self) -> bool

Returns true if the certificate has a trusted root authority, otherwise returns false.

Note: As of version 9.5.0.41, the notion of what your application deems as trusted becomes more specific. The TrustedRoots class/object was added in v9.5.0.0. Prior to this, a certificate was considered to be anchored by a trusted root if the certificate chain could be established to a root (self-signed) certificate, AND if the root certificate was located somewhere in the Windows registry-based certificate stores. There are two problems with this: (1) it's a Windows-only solution. This property would always return false on non-Windows systems, and (2) it might be considered not a strong enough set of conditions for trusting a root certificate.

As of version 9.5.0.41, this property pays attention to the new TrustedRoots class/object, which allows for an application to specificallly indicate which root certificates are to be trusted. Certificates may be added to the TrustedRoots object via the LoadCaCertsPem or AddCert methods, and then activated by calling the TrustedRoots.Activate method. The activated trusted roots are deemed to be trusted in any Chilkat API method/property that needs to make this determination. In addition, the TrustedRoots object has a property named TrustSystemCaRoots, which defaults to true, which allows for backward compatibility. It will trust CA certificates stored in the Windows registry-based certificate stores, or if on Linux, will trust certificates found in /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt.

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UncommonOptions
// read/write
pub fn uncommon_options(&self) -> String
pub fn set_uncommon_options(&self, value: &str)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.87

This is a catch-all property to be used for uncommon needs. This property defaults to the empty string, and should typically remain empty. Possible comma separated keywords can include:

  • CheckRevokedCacheOnly: Added in v11.2.0. In the CheckRevoked method, prevents network access and only checks the cached revocation information on the local computer.

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ValidFromStr
// read-only
pub fn valid_from_str(&self) -> String

The date (in RFC822 string format) that this certificate becomes (or became) valid. It is a GMT/UTC date that is returned.

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ValidToStr
// read-only
pub fn valid_to_str(&self) -> String

The date (in RFC822 string format) that this certificate expires. It is a GMT/UTC date that is returned.

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VerboseLogging
// read/write
pub fn verbose_logging(&self) -> bool
pub fn set_verbose_logging(&self, value: bool)

If set to true, then the contents of LastErrorText (or LastErrorXml, or LastErrorHtml) may contain more verbose information. The default value is false. Verbose logging should only be used for debugging. The potentially large quantity of logged information may adversely affect peformance.

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Version
// read-only
pub fn version(&self) -> String

Version of the component/library, such as "10.1.0"

More Information and Examples
How to get the Chilkat version at runtime.
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Methods

BuildCertChain
pub fn build_cert_chain(&self, cert_chain: &CertChain) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Builds the certificate chain in cert_chain containing all the certificates (including this one), in the chain of authentication to the trusted root (if possible). If this certificate object was loaded from a PFX, then the certiicates contained in the PFX are automatically available for building the certificate chain. The UseCertVault method can be called to provide additional certificates that might be required to build the cert chain. Finally, the TrustedRoots object can be used to provide a way of making trusted root certificates available.

Note: Returns true even if certificate chain is not completed to the root. The certificate chain's ReachesRoot property can be examined to see if the chain was completed to the root.

On Windows systems, the registry-based certificate stores are automatically consulted if needed to locate intermediate or root certificates in the chain. Chilkat searches certificate stores in the following order. See System Store Locations for more information.

  1. Current-User CA Certificate Store
  2. Local-Machine CA Certificate Store
  3. Current-User Root Certificate Store
  4. Local-Machine Root Certificate Store
  5. Current-User MY Certificate Store
  6. Local-Machine MY Certificate Store
  7. Current-User ADDRESSBOOK Certificate Store (if it exists)
  8. Local-Machine ADDRESSBOOK Certificate Store (if it exists)

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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CheckRevoked
pub fn check_revoked(&self) -> i32

Returns 1 if the certificate has been revoked, 0 if not revoked, and -1 if unable to check the revocation status.

Note: This method is only implemented on Windows systems. It uses the underlying Microsoft CertVerifyRevocation Platform SDK function to check the revocation status of a certificate. (Search CertVerifyRevocation to get information about it.) Starting in v11.2.0, the keyword "CheckRevokedCacheOnly" can be included in the UncommonOptions to prevent the Microsoft revocation handler from accessing any network based resources for revocation checking. In other words, just check the cached revocation information on the local computer.

Non-Windows (and Windows) applications can send an OCSP request as shown in the example below.

More Information and Examples
Validate Certificate using OCSP Protocol
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CheckSmartCardPin
pub fn check_smart_card_pin(&self) -> i32
Introduced in version 9.5.0.77

Verifies that the SmartCardPin property setting is correct. Returns 1 if correct, 0 if incorrect, and -1 if unable to check because the underlying CSP does not support the functionality.

More Information and Examples
Validate a Smartcard PIN
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ExportCertDerBd
pub fn export_cert_der_bd(&self, cer_data: &BinData) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.70

Exports the digital certificate in ASN.1 DER format to a BinData object.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Backup Windows Current User / Personal Certificates to a .zip
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ExportCertDerFile
pub fn export_cert_der_file(&self, path: &str) -> Result<()>

Exports the digital certificate to ASN.1 DER format binary file.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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ExportCertPem
pub fn export_cert_pem(&self) -> Result<String>

Exports the digital certificate to an unencrypted PEM formatted string.

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

More Information and Examples
Convert Cert + Key to PEM and PFX
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ExportCertPemFile
pub fn export_cert_pem_file(&self, path: &str) -> Result<()>

Exports the digital certificate to an unencrypted PEM formatted file.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Convert Cert + Key to PEM and PFX
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ExportCertXml
pub fn export_cert_xml(&self) -> Result<String>

Exports a certificate to an XML format where the XML tags are the names of the ASN.1 objects that compose the X.509 certificate. Binary data is either hex or base64 encoded. (The binary data for a bits ASN.1 tag is hex encoded, whereas for all other ASN.1 tags, such as octets, it is base64.)

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

More Information and Examples
Get Certificate As XML (and gets Signature Algorithm Identifier)
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ExportToPfxBd
pub fn export_to_pfx_bd(&self, password: &str, include_cert_chain: bool, pfx_data: &BinData) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.70

Exports the certificate and private key (if available) to pfx_data. The password is what will be required to access the PFX contents at a later time. If include_cert_chain is true, then the certificates in the chain of authority are also included in the PFX.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Backup Windows Current User / Personal Certificates to a .zip
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ExportToPfxFile
pub fn export_to_pfx_file(&self, pfx_filename: &str, pfx_password: &str, b_include_cert_chain: bool) -> Result<()>

Exports the certificate and private key (if available) to a PFX (.pfx or .p12) file. The output PFX is secured using the pfx_password. If b_include_cert_chain is true, then the certificates in the chain of authority are also included in the PFX output file.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Convert Cert + Key to PEM and PFX
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FindIssuer
pub fn find_issuer(&self) -> Result<Cert>

Finds and returns the issuer certificate. If the certificate is a root or self-issued, then the certificate returned is a copy of the caller certificate. (The IsRoot property can be check to see if the certificate is a root (or self-issued) certificate.)

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

More Information and Examples
Get Certificates from .p12 / .pfx
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GetEncoded
pub fn get_encoded(&self) -> Result<String>

Returns a base64 encoded string representation of the certificate's binary DER format, which can be passed to SetFromEncoded to recreate the certificate object.

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

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GetExtensionAsText
pub fn get_extension_as_text(&self, oid: &str) -> Result<String>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.89

Returns the certificate extension data as a string. This method should only be called for those extensions with text values NOT stored as binary ASN.1. In most cases, applications should call GetExtensionAsXml because most extensions contain ASN.1 values that need to be decoded..

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

More Information and Examples
Get Text Certificate Extensions by OID
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GetExtensionAsXml
pub fn get_extension_as_xml(&self, oid: &str) -> Result<String>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.49

Returns the certificate extension data in XML format (converted from ASN.1). The oid is an OID, such as the ones listed here: http://www.alvestrand.no/objectid/2.5.29.html

Note: In many cases, the data within the XML is returned base64 encoded. An application may need to take one further step to base64 decode the information contained within the XML.

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

More Information and Examples
Get Certificate Authority Information AccessGet Certificate Policy
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GetExtensionBd
pub fn get_extension_bd(&self, oid: &str, bd: &BinData) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.96

Returns the certificate extension data specified by oid in bd.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Binary Certificate Extension Data
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GetIssuer
pub fn get_issuer(&self, issuer: &Cert) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Finds and returns the issuer certificate in issuer. If the certificate is a root or self-issued, then the certificate returned is a copy of the caller certificate. (The IsRoot property can be check to see if the certificate is a root (or self-issued) certificate.)

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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GetPrivateKey
pub fn get_private_key(&self, priv_key: &PrivateKey) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Loads the priv_key with the certificate's private key, if it exists. Returns false if the certificate has no associated private key.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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GetPrivateKeyPem
pub fn get_private_key_pem(&self) -> Result<String>

Exports the certificate's private key to a PEM string (if the private key is available).

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

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GetPubKeyDer
pub fn get_pub_key_der(&self, prefer_pkcs1: bool, bd: &BinData) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.92

Loads the bd with the certificate's public key in ASN.1 DER format. If the key type (such as RSA) supports both PKCS1 and PKCS8 formats, then prefer_pkcs1 selects which format to return.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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GetPublicKey
pub fn get_public_key(&self, pub_key: &PublicKey) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Loads the pub_key with the certificate's public key.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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GetSignature
pub fn get_signature(&self, bd: &BinData) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.92

Loads the bd with the certificate's signature.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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GetSpkiFingerprint
pub fn get_spki_fingerprint(&self, hash_alg: &str, encoding: &str) -> Result<String>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.55

Returns the SPKI Fingerprint suitable for use in pinning. (See RFC 7469.) An SPKI Fingerprint is defined as the output of a known cryptographic hash algorithm whose input is the DER-encoded ASN.1 representation of the Subject Public Key Info (SPKI) of an X.509 certificate. The hash_alg specifies the hash algorithm and may be sha256, sha384, sha512, sha1, md2, md5, haval, ripemd128, ripemd160,ripemd256, or ripemd320. The encoding specifies the encoding, and may be base64, hex, or any of the encoding modes specified in the article at the link below.

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

More Information and Examples
List of Chilkat Encoding ModesSPKI Fingerprint
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GetSubjectPart
pub fn get_subject_part(&self, part_name_or_oid: &str) -> Result<String>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.85

Returns a part of the certificate's subject by name or OID. The part_name_or_oid can be a part name, such as CN, O, OU, E, S, L, C, or SERIALNUMBER, or it can be an OID such as 2.5.4.3.

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

More Information and Examples
Get Certificate Subject Part by Name or OID
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HashOf
pub fn hash_of(&self, part: &str, hash_alg: &str, encoding: &str) -> Result<String>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.75

Returns an encoded hash of a particular part of the certificate. The part may be one of the following:

  • IssuerDN
  • IssuerPublicKey
  • SubjectDN
  • SubjectPublicKey

The hash_alg is the name of the hash algorithm, such as sha1, sha256, sha384, sha512, md5, etc. The encoding is the format to return, such as hex, base64, etc.

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

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HasPrivateKey
pub fn has_private_key(&self) -> bool

Returns true if a private key associated with the certificate is available.

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IsEcdsa
pub fn is_ecdsa(&self) -> bool
Introduced in version 10.1.0

Returns true if certificate is ECDSA-based (i.e. has an ECDSA key).

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IsRsa
pub fn is_rsa(&self) -> bool
Introduced in version 10.1.0

Returns true if certificate is RSA-based (i.e. has an RSA key).

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LinkPkcs11
pub fn link_pkcs11(&self, session: &Pkcs11) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.96

Links to the certificate's private key located on an HSM (smart card, token, or cloud HSM). Once linked, the certificate can be used for signing where the signing occurs on the HSM. See the example below for more detailed information.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Sign PDF in the Cloud using AWS CloudHSMSign XML (XAdES) using AWS CloudHSM
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LoadByCommonName
pub fn load_by_common_name(&self, cn: &str) -> Result<()>

This method searches for a certificate with the specified common name (CN) on different operating systems. - On Windows, it searches the Local Machine and Current User certificate stores. - On macOS and iOS, it searches the Default and System Keychains. If the certificate is found, it is loaded and ready for use.

Note: Chilkat v10.0.0 or later is needed for Apple Keychain.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Apple Keychain - Get Certificate by Common NameWindows Certificate Stores - Find Certificate by Common NameCreate P7M Using Pre-Installed Windows Certificate
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LoadByEmailAddress
pub fn load_by_email_address(&self, email_address: &str) -> Result<()>

This method searches for a certificate with the specified email address on different operating systems. - On Windows, it searches the Local Machine and Current User certificate stores. - On macOS and iOS, it searches the Default and System Keychains. If the certificate is found, it is loaded and ready for use.

Note: Chilkat v10.0.0 or later is needed for Apple Keychain.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Select Cert for Encrypted Email
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LoadByIssuerAndSerialNumber
pub fn load_by_issuer_and_serial_number(&self, issuer_cn: &str, serial_number: &str) -> Result<()>

This method searches for a certificate with the specified issuer common name (issuer_cn) and serial number (serial_number) on different operating systems. - On Windows, it searches the Local Machine and Current User certificate stores. - On macOS and iOS, it searches the Default and System Keychains. If the certificate is found, it is loaded and ready for use.

Note: Chilkat v10.0.0 or later is needed for Apple Keychain.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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LoadBySubjectOid
pub fn load_by_subject_oid(&self, oid: &str, value: &str) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.85

This method searches for a certificate containing a subject part matching the oid and value. On Windows, it searches the Local Machine and Current User certificate stores. - On macOS and iOS, it searches the Default and System Keychains. If the certificate is found, it is loaded and ready for use.

Note: Chilkat v10.0.0 or later is needed for Apple Keychain.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Common Certificate Subject OIDs
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LoadByThumbprint
pub fn load_by_thumbprint(&self, thumbprint: &str, encoding: &str) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.83

This method searches for a certificate with the specified thumbprint. The thumbprint is passed as a string using the encoding specified by encoding (such as base64, hex, etc.).

On Windows, it searches the Local Machine and Current User certificate stores. - On macOS and iOS, it searches the Default and System Keychains. If the certificate is found, it is loaded and ready for use.

Note: Chilkat v10.0.0 or later is needed for Apple Keychain.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Find and Load Certificate by Thumbprint
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LoadFromBase64
pub fn load_from_base64(&self, encoded_cert: &str) -> Result<()>

Loads an ASN.1 or DER encoded certificate represented in a Base64 string.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Get a Certificate's Key SizeDuplicate Java Verify RSA Signature
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LoadFromBd
pub fn load_from_bd(&self, cert_bytes: &BinData) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.70

Loads an X.509 certificate from data contained in cert_bytes.

Note: The cert_bytes may contain the certificate in any format. It can be binary DER (ASN.1), PEM, Base64, etc. Chilkat will automatically detect the format.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Download and Trust the DigiCert Global Root CA
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LoadFromFile
pub fn load_from_file(&self, path: &str) -> Result<()>

Loads a certificate from a .cer, .crt, .p7b, or .pem file. This method accepts certificates from files in any of the following formats:
1. DER encoded binary X.509 (.CER)
2. Base-64 encoded X.509 (.CER)
3. Cryptographic Message Syntax Standard - PKCS #7 Certificates (.P7B)
4. PEM format
This method decodes the certificate based on the contents if finds within the file, and not based on the file extension. If your certificate is in a file having a different extension, try loading it using this method before assuming it won't work. This method does not load .p12 or .pfx (PKCS #12) files.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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LoadFromSmartcard
pub fn load_from_smartcard(&self, cert_spec: &str) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.77

Important: It's important to set the SmartCardPin property before calling this method.

Loads a certificate and its associated private key (if available) from a connected USB token or smart card. This function works on Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Alpine Linux. If multiple USB tokens and/or smartcards are connected to the system, then each will be searched and the first matching certificate will be loaded.

The cert_spec can have the following formats and values:

  • Empty String: Passing the empty string is the most common way to call this function. Pass the empty string when only one HSM (USB token or smart card) is connected to the system, and it contains only one certificate with a private key. The HSM can contain other certificates, but Chilkat will automatically choose and load the certificate that has the associated private key also located on the HSM.
  • cn=<cert subject common name>: Finds and loads the certificate having the specified subject common name (CN).
  • subjectdn_withtags=<distinguished name with tags>: Finds and loads the certificate having the specified DN with tags. For example, subjectdn_withtags=C=US, O=Example Corporation, OU=IT Department, CN=www.example.com
  • subjectdn=<distinguished name without tags>: Finds and loads the certificate having the specified DN without tags. For example, subjectdn=US, California, San Francisco, Example Corp, Engineering, www.example.com, support@example.com
  • issuercn=<subject hex serial:issuer common name>: Finds and loads the certificate having the specified hex serial number and an issuer with the specified common name. For example, 01020304: Let's Encrypt Authority X1
  • serial=<hex serial number>: Finds and loads the certificate having the specified hexidecimal serial number.
  • thumbprint=<hex SHA1 thumbprint>: Finds and loads the certificate having the specified hexidecimal SHA1 thumbprint.
  • policyoid=<certificate policy OID>: Finds and loads the certificate having a policy OID equal to the specified value, such as 2.16.840.1.101.2.1.11.39.
  • o=<subject organization>: Finds and loads the certificate having the O subject part equal to the specified value.
  • c=<subject country>: Finds and loads the certificate having the C subject part equal to the specified value.
  • l=<subject locality>: Finds and loads the certificate having the L subject part equal to the specified value.
  • ou=<subject organizational unit>: Finds and loads the certificate having the OU subject part equal to the specified value.
  • st=<subject state>: Finds and loads the certificate having the ST subject part equal to the specified value.
  • e=<subject email>: Finds and loads the certificate having the E subject part equal to the specified value.

On Windows systems, cert_spec can specify a CSP (Cryptographic Service Provider) name, such as YubiHSM Key Storage Provider. This option is retained for legacy support, as Chilkat initially handled USB tokens and smartcards only on Windows via CSPs. Chilkat now supports HSMs across multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Alpine Linux) and uses various methods to communicate with HSMs, including PKCS11, macOS Keychain services, Windows ScMinidriver, MsCNG, and legacy Windows CryptoAPI. Chilkat automatically detects the HSM make/model and selects the optimal communication method.

Some possible CSP values are:

  • Microsoft Smart Card Key Storage Provider
  • Microsoft Base Smart Card Crypto Provider
  • Bit4id Universal Middleware Provider
  • YubiHSM Key Storage Provider (starting in v9.5.0.83)
  • SafeSign Standard Cryptographic Service Provider
  • SafeSign Standard RSA and AES Cryptographic Service Provider
  • eToken Base Cryptographic Provider
  • cryptoCertum3 CSP
  • FTSafe ePass1000 RSA Cryptographic Service Provider
  • SecureStoreCSP
  • EnterSafe ePass2003 CSP v2.0
  • Gemalto Classic Card CSP
  • PROXKey CSP India V1.0
  • PROXKey CSP India V2.0
  • TRUST KEY CSP V1.0
  • Watchdata Brazil CSP V1.0
  • Luna Cryptographic Services for Microsoft Windows
  • Luna SChannel Cryptographic Services for Microsoft Windows
  • Safenet RSA Full Cryptographic Provider
  • nCipher Enhanced Cryptographic Provider
  • MySmartLogon NFC CSP
  • NFC Connector Enterprise
  • ActivClient Cryptographic Service Provider
  • EnterSafe ePass2003 CSP v1.0
  • Oberthur Card Systems Cryptographic Provider
  • Athena ASECard Crypto CSP
  • many others...

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Load Default Certificate from Smart Card or USB TokenLoad Certificate from Smart Card by Common NameLoad Certificate from Smart Card by Serial NumberLoad Certificate from Smartcard in Reader (or from USB Token)Sign String to create a CAdES-T Signature
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LoadPem
pub fn load_pem(&self, str_pem: &str) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.49

Loads the certificate from a PEM string.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Load Certificate from PEM and Access the Public Key
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LoadPfxBd
pub fn load_pfx_bd(&self, pfx_data: &BinData, password: &str) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.70

Loads the certificate from the PFX contained in pfx_data. Note: If the PFX contains multiple certificates, the 1st certificate in the PFX is loaded.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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LoadPfxFile
pub fn load_pfx_file(&self, pfx_path: &str, password: &str) -> Result<()>

Loads a PFX file. Note: If the PFX contains multiple certificates, the 1st certificate in the PFX is loaded.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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PemFileToDerFile
pub fn pem_file_to_der_file(&self, from_path: &str, to_path: &str) -> Result<()>

Converts a PEM file to a DER file.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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SaveToFile
pub fn save_to_file(&self, path: &str) -> Result<()>

Saves a certificate object to a .cer file.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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SetCloudSigner
pub fn set_cloud_signer(&self, json: &JsonObject) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.96

Provides information for a cloud signing service to do the signing via a remote signing server. Current supported services are AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, and ARSS (Aruba Remote Signing Service). See the examples below.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Sign PDF in the Cloud using AWS KMSSign PDF in the Cloud using Azure Key VaultSign PDF using ARSS (Aruba Remote Signing Service)
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SetFromEncoded
pub fn set_from_encoded(&self, encoded_cert: &str) -> Result<()>

Initializes the certificate object from a base64 encoded string representation of the certificate's binary DER format.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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SetPrivateKey
pub fn set_private_key(&self, priv_key: &PrivateKey) -> Result<()>

Used to associate a private key with the certificate for subsequent (PKCS7) signature creation or decryption.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Load Certificate (.cer) and Private Key (.pvk) generated from makecert
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SetPrivateKeyPem
pub fn set_private_key_pem(&self, priv_key_pem: &str) -> Result<()>

Same as SetPrivateKey, but the key is provided in unencrypted PEM format. (Note: The priv_key_pem is not a file path, it is the actual PEM text.)

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Load Certificate from .cer and Private Key from .pem
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Unload
pub fn unload(&self) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Unload the certificate, which could mean closing a PKCS11 session if the certificate was loaded from a smart card.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

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UploadToCloud
pub fn upload_to_cloud(&self, json_in: &JsonObject, json_out: &JsonObject) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.96

This is an open-ended method to accomodate uploading the private key to a cloud service, such as AWS KMS, or Azure Key Vault. For details, see the examples below.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
Easy Method to Import Certificate to Azure Key VaultAWS KMS Import PFX Key
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UseCertVault
pub fn use_cert_vault(&self, vault: &XmlCertVault) -> Result<()>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.40

Adds an XML certificate vault to the object's internal list of sources to be searched for certificates for help in building certificate chains and verifying the certificate signature to the trusted root.

Returns Ok(()) for success, Err(chilkat::Error) for failure.

More Information and Examples
PKCS11 Certificate Chain
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VerifySignature
pub fn verify_signature(&self) -> bool
Introduced in version 9.5.0.40

Verifies the certificate signature, as well as the signatures of all certificates in the chain of authentication to the trusted root. Returns true if all signatures are verified to the trusted root. Otherwise returns false.

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X509PKIPathv1
pub fn x509_pki_pathv1(&self) -> Result<String>
Introduced in version 9.5.0.77

Returns the base64 representation of an X509PKIPathv1 containing just the calling certificate. This is typically used in an X.509 Binary Security Token. It is a PKIPath that contains an ordered list of X.509 public certificates packaged in a PKIPath. The X509PKIPathv1 token type may be used to represent a certificate path. (This is sometimes used in XAdES signatures.)

Returns Err(chilkat::Error) on failure.

More Information and Examples
Create X509PKIPathv1 Containing one Certificate
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Events

All Chilkat methods are synchronous: the call returns when the work is done. During a call, Cert raises three events so your application can show progress and offer a way out. Implement the chilkat::EventHandler trait (every method has a do-nothing default, so implement only the events you need) and install it with set_event_handler:

use chilkat::{Cert, EventHandler};

struct Progress;

impl EventHandler for Progress {
    fn percent_done(&mut self, pct: i32) -> bool {
        println!("{pct}%");
        false   // return true to abort the method in progress
    }
    fn progress_info(&mut self, name: &str, value: &str) {
        println!("{name}: {value}");
    }
}

let cert = Cert::new();
cert.set_event_handler(Progress);
cert.set_heartbeat_ms(250);   // raise abort_check 4 times per second during Chilkat calls

For a one-off handler the closure methods avoid writing a type; they may be combined, and each replaces the previously set closure for that one event (installing a closure removes a trait handler set earlier, and vice versa):

cert.on_percent_done(|pct| { println!("{pct}%"); false });
cert.on_progress_info(|name, value| println!("{name}: {value}"));
pub fn set_event_handler<H: EventHandler>(&self, handler: H)

Installs handler as the receiver of this object's events, replacing any handler or closures set earlier. The object owns the handler, which must be Send + 'static.

pub fn clear_event_handler(&self)

Removes the handler and any closures; events are no longer delivered.

AbortCheck fires at regular intervals controlled by the HeartbeatMs property (0, the default, disables it); PercentDone fires when an operation's completion percentage is known; ProgressInfo delivers named progress values. Returning true from abort_check or percent_done aborts the running method, which then returns Err.

Events fire on the thread that called the method, before that method returns. A panic inside a handler aborts the running method and is re-raised to the caller once the native library has returned, so it never unwinds through C frames. To abort a long operation from another thread, share an Arc<AtomicBool> with an abort_check handler, or set the object's AbortCurrent property to true.

AbortCheck
// EventHandler trait method; closure form: on_abort_check(FnMut() -> bool)
fn abort_check(&mut self) -> bool

Enables a method call to be aborted by triggering the AbortCheck event at intervals defined by the HeartbeatMs property. If HeartbeatMs is set to its default value of 0, no events will occur. For instance, set HeartbeatMs to 200 to trigger 5 AbortCheck events per second.

More Information and Examples
Chilkat Event Callback Examples

Example (closure form; the EventHandler trait method is equivalent):

cert.set_heartbeat_ms(250);   // call abort_check 4 times per second

let stop = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false));
let flag = stop.clone();
cert.on_abort_check(move || flag.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed));
// ... another thread may now abort the method in progress with stop.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed)
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PercentDone
// EventHandler trait method; closure form: on_percent_done(FnMut(i32) -> bool)
fn percent_done(&mut self, pct: i32) -> bool

This provides the percentage completion for any method involving network communications or time-consuming processing, assuming the progress can be measured as a percentage. This event is triggered only when it's possible and logical to express the operation's progress as a percentage. The pct_done argument will range from 1 to 100. For methods that finish quickly, the number of PercentDone callbacks may vary, but the final callback will have pct_done equal to 100. For longer operations, callbacks will not exceed one per percentage point (e.g., 1, 2, 3, ..., 98, 99, 100).

The PercentDone callback also acts as an AbortCheck event. For fast methods where PercentDone fires, an AbortCheck event may not trigger since the PercentDone callback already provides an opportunity to abort. For longer operations, where time between PercentDone callbacks is extended, AbortCheck callbacks enable more responsive operation termination.

To abort the operation, set the abort output argument to true. This will cause the method to terminate and return a failure status or corresponding failure value.

More Information and Examples
Chilkat Event Callback Examples

Example (closure form; the EventHandler trait method is equivalent):

cert.on_percent_done(|pct| {
    // pct ranges from 1 to 100.
    println!("Percent done: {pct}");
    false   // return true to abort the method in progress
});
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ProgressInfo
// EventHandler trait method; closure form: on_progress_info(FnMut(&str, &str))
fn progress_info(&mut self, name: &str, value: &str)

This event callback provides tag name/value pairs that detail what occurs during a method call. To discover existing tag names, create code to handle the event, emit the pairs, and review them. Most tag names are self-explanatory.

Note: Some Chilkat methods don't fire any ProgressInfo events.

More Information and Examples
Chilkat Event Callback Examples

Example (closure form; the EventHandler trait method is equivalent):

cert.on_progress_info(|name, value| println!("{name}: {value}"));
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