**Note** Live Ubuntu images [may require modification](https://github.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/issues/116) to `/etc/apt/sources.list` and may need additional packages:
Setting a key expiry forces identity and credential lifecycle management. However, setting an expiry on the primary Certify key is pointless, because it can be used to simply extend itself ([revocation certificates](https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/14718/does-openpgp-key-expiration-add-to-security/79386#79386) should be used instead).
Setting a Subkey expiry forces identity and credential lifecycle management. However, setting an expiry on the Certify key is pointless, because it can just be used to extend itself. [Revocation certificates](https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/14718/does-openpgp-key-expiration-add-to-security/79386#79386) should instead be used to revoke an identity.
This guide recommends a two year expiration for Subkeys to balance security and usability, however longer durations are possible to reduce maintenance frequency.
@ -357,11 +348,9 @@ EXPIRATION=2026-05-01
## Passphrase
Generate a passphrase, which will be used to issue the Certify key and Subkeys.
Generate a passphrase for the Certify key. It will be used infrequently to manage Subkeys and should be very strong. The passphrase is recommended to consist of only uppercase letters and numbers for improved readability. [Diceware](https://secure.research.vt.edu/diceware) is another method for creating memorable passphrases.
The passphrase is recommended to consist of only uppercase letters and numbers for improved readability. [Diceware](https://secure.research.vt.edu/diceware) is another method for creating strong and memorable passphrases.
The following commands will generate and display a strong passphrase which avoids ambiguous characters:
The following commands will generate a strong passphrase and avoid ambiguous characters:
Memorize the passphrase or write it in a secure location, ideally separate from the portable storage device used for key material.
Write the passphrase in a secure location, ideally separate from the portable storage device used for key material, or memorize it.
This repository includes a [`passphrase.html`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/master/passphrase.html) template to help with transcription. Save the raw file, open it with a browser and print. Use a pen or permanent marker to select a letter or number on each row for each character in the passphrase. [`passphrase.csv`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/master/passphrase.csv) can also be printed without a browser:
This repository includes a [`passphrase.html`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/master/passphrase.html) template to help with credential transcription. Save the raw file, open it with a browser and print. Use a pen or permanent marker to select a letter or number on each row for each character in the passphrase. [`passphrase.csv`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/master/passphrase.csv) can also be printed without a browser:
```console
lp -d Printer-Name passphrase.csv
@ -497,9 +486,9 @@ w
EOF
```
Use [LUKS](https://askubuntu.com/questions/97196/how-secure-is-an-encrypted-luks-filesystem) to encrypt the new partition.
Use [LUKS](https://dys2p.com/en/2023-05-luks-security.html) to encrypt the new partition.
Generate and view another unique [Passphrase](#passphrase) (different from the one used for the GnuPG identity) to protect the encrypted volume:
Generate another unique [Passphrase](#passphrase) (ideally different from the one used for the Certify key) to protect the encrypted volume:
Repeat the process for any additional storage devices (at least two are recommended).
**OpenBSD**
Attach a USB disk and determine its label:
@ -656,7 +651,7 @@ sudo mount /dev/sdc2 /mnt/public
gpg --armor --export $KEYID | sudo tee /mnt/public/$KEYID-$(date +%F).asc
sudo chmod 0444 /mnt/public/0x*.asc
sudo chmod 0444 /mnt/public/*.asc
```
Unmount and remove the storage device:
@ -709,7 +704,7 @@ If the card is locked, [Reset](#reset) it.
## Change PIN
YubiKey's OpenPGP interface has its own PINs separate from other modules such as [PIV](https://developers.yubico.com/PIV/Introduction/YubiKey_and_PIV.html):
YubiKey's [PGP](https://developers.yubico.com/PGP/) interface has its own PINs separate from other modules such as [PIV](https://developers.yubico.com/PIV/Introduction/YubiKey_and_PIV.html):
Determine the desired PIN values. They can be shorter than the GnuPG identity passphrase due to limited brute-forcing opportunities. The User PIN should be convenient enough to remember for every-day use.
Determine the desired PIN values. They can be shorter than the Certify key passphrase due to limited brute-forcing opportunities; the User PIN should be convenient enough to remember for every-day use.
The *User PIN* must be at least 6 characters and the *Admin PIN* must be at least 8 characters. A maximum of 127 ASCII characters are allowed. See the GnuPG documentation on [Managing PINs](https://www.gnupg.org/howtos/card-howto/en/ch03s02.html) for more information.
The *User PIN* must be at least 6 characters and the *Admin PIN* must be at least 8 characters. A maximum of 127 ASCII characters are allowed. See [GnuPG - Managing PINs](https://www.gnupg.org/howtos/card-howto/en/ch03s02.html) for more information.
Set PINs manually or generate them, for example a 6 digit User PIN and 8 digit Admin PIN:
@ -858,10 +853,10 @@ Verify you have done the following:
- [ ] Memorized or wrote down the Certify key passphrase to a secure and durable location
* `echo $CERTIFY_PASS` to see it again; [`passphrase.html`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/master/passphrase.html) or [`passphrase.csv`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/master/passphrase.csv) to transcribe it
- [ ] Saved the Certify key and Subkeys to encrypted portable storage, to be kept offline
* At least two backups are recommended, stored at separate locations
- [ ] Memorized or wrote down passphrase to encrypted volume on portable storage
* `echo $LUKS_PASS` to see it again; [`passphrase.html`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/master/passphrase.html) or [`passphrase.csv`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/master/passphrase.csv) to transcribe it
- [ ] Saved the Certify key and Subkeys to encrypted portable storage, to be kept offline
* At least two backups are recommended, stored at separate locations
- [ ] Exported a copy of the public key where is can be easily accessed later
* Separate device or non-encrypted partition was used
- [ ] Memorized or wrote down the User PIN and Admin PIN, which are unique and changed from default values
By default, YubiKey will perform cryptographic operations without requiring any action from the user after the key is unlocked once with the PIN.
To require a touch for each key operation, use [YubiKey Manager](https://developers.yubico.com/yubikey-manager/) and the Admin PIN to set policy:
To require a touch for each key operation, use [YubiKey Manager](https://developers.yubico.com/yubikey-manager/) and the Admin PIN to set key policy.
Encryption:
@ -1096,7 +1104,13 @@ Encryption:
ykman openpgp keys set-touch dec on
```
**Note** Versions of YubiKey Manager before 5.1.0 use `enc` instead of `dec` for encryption. Older versions of YubiKey Manager use `touch` instead of `set-touch`
**Note** Versions of YubiKey Manager before 5.1.0 use `enc` instead of `dec` for encryption:
```console
ykman openpgp keys set-touch enc on
```
Even older versions of YubiKey Manager use `touch` instead of `set-touch`
**Important** Any pinentry program except `pinentry-tty` or `pinentry-curses` may be used. This is because local `gpg-agent` may start headlessly (by systemd without `$GPG_TTY` set locally telling which tty it is on), thus failed to obtain the pin. Errors on the remote may be misleading saying that there is *IO Error*. (Yes, internally there is actually an *IO Error* since it happens when writing to/reading from tty while finding no tty to use, but for end users this is not friendly.)
See [Issue #85](https://github.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/issues/85) for more information and troubleshooting.
See [Issue 85](https://github.com/drduh/YubiKey-Guide/issues/85) for more information and troubleshooting.
Transfer the public key to the destination host and import it:
```console
gpg --import 0x*.asc
gpg --import /mnt/public/*.asc
```
Alternatively, publish to a public key server and download it:
@ -1983,7 +1999,9 @@ EOF
- If you encounter problems connecting to YubiKey with GnuPG - try unplugging and re-inserting YubiKey, and restarting the `gpg-agent` process.
- If you receive the error, `gpg: decryption failed: secret key not available` - you likely need to install GnuPG version 2.x. Another possibility is that there is a problem with the PIN, e.g. it is too short or blocked.
- If you see `General key info..: [none]` in card status output - import the public key.
- If you receive the error, `gpg: decryption failed: secret key not available` - you likely need to install GnuPG version 2.x. Another possibility is that there is a problem with the PIN, e.g., it is too short or blocked.
- If you receive the error, `Yubikey core error: no yubikey present` - make sure the YubiKey is inserted correctly. It should blink once when plugged in.
@ -1991,7 +2009,7 @@ EOF
- If you receive the error, `Yubikey core error: write error` - YubiKey is likely locked. Install and run yubikey-personalization-gui to unlock it.
- If you receive the error, `Key does not match the card's capability` - you likely need to use 2048bit RSA key sizes.
- If you receive the error, `Key does not match the card's capability` - you likely need to use 2048-bit RSA key sizes.
- If you receive the error, `sign_and_send_pubkey: signing failed: agent refused operation` - make sure you replaced `ssh-agent` with `gpg-agent` as noted above.
drduh
1 month ago