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Certificates for localhost

letsencrypt.org

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Re: Certificates for localhost

#3
post #2

Easiest way is to get a certificate for a subdomain of a domain you own, e.g. dev.example.com, and then point dev.example.com to 127.0.0.1 in your hosts file.

from TFA:

>It’s possible to set up your own domain name that happens to resolve to 127.0.0.1, and get a certificate for it using the DNS challenge. However, this is generally a bad idea and there are better options.

Re: Certificates for localhost

#4
post #2

Easiest way is to get a certificate for a subdomain of a domain you own, e.g. dev.example.com, and then point dev.example.com to 127.0.0.1 in your hosts file.

This sounds like a bad idea. You don't want private keys to a production subdomain being handed around teams. For instance, let's say you have dev.mybank.com. Somebody could trivially poison a DNS cache for a local system to redirect to their server, have a valid SSL key on the company domain, and implement a very real-looking phishing website for the company.

Another problem - controlling a subdomain could be used to steal login cookies from the main website. This is why Github moved Github Pages to a separate domain: https://blog.github.com/2013-04-09-yummy-cookies-across-doma...

Re: Certificates for localhost

#6
post #2

Easiest way is to get a certificate for a subdomain of a domain you own, e.g. dev.example.com, and then point dev.example.com to 127.0.0.1 in your hosts file.

They discuss this in the article with some good criticisms of it.

You could maybe try something with a fully different origin, like mysite-dev.com...

Re: Certificates for localhost

#7
post #2

Easiest way is to get a certificate for a subdomain of a domain you own, e.g. dev.example.com, and then point dev.example.com to 127.0.0.1 in your hosts file.

yup, works fine for a small trusted team or when you wear all the hats, also useful for troubleshooting occasionally.

Re: Certificates for localhost

#8
post #2

Easiest way is to get a certificate for a subdomain of a domain you own, e.g. dev.example.com, and then point dev.example.com to 127.0.0.1 in your hosts file.

From the article:

> "You might be tempted to work around these limitations by setting up a domain name in the global DNS that happens to resolve to 127.0.0.1 (for instance, localhost.example.com), getting a certificate for that domain name, shipping that certificate and corresponding private key with your native app, and telling your web app to communicate with https://localhost.example.com:8000/ instead of http://127.0.0.1:8000/. Don’t do this. It will put your users at risk, and your certificate may get revoked."

EDIT: oops, it's not exactly what you were talking about, since you suggested only pointing it to 127.0.0.1 in your own /etc/hosts file, so I don't think the article answers your idea directly

Re: Certificates for localhost

#9
Ive found many of these, and reported them to the vendors. Sometimes they are happy (swag!!!), sometimes they are not. This is a great article that explains the issue and work arounds.

Your friend is strings blah | grep PRIVATE KEY Run it over your fav bins today!

Re: Certificates for localhost

#10
post #2

Easiest way is to get a certificate for a subdomain of a domain you own, e.g. dev.example.com, and then point dev.example.com to 127.0.0.1 in your hosts file.

No, never do this. I will find your keys, and I will have your certificate revoked.

*also misread, I was considering the DNS case. Lightly, dont do this for the hosts file example either.

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