PowerAuth Command-Line Tool Usage

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This brief document serves as a documentation of the reference PowerAuth Client - a simple utility connecting to the standard RESTful API. The utility simulates a mobile device on desktop - you can use it for simple integration testing.

Download PowerAuth Reference Client

You can download the latest powerauth-java-cmd.jar at the releases page:

PowerAuth Command-Line Tool Releases

Supported Java Runtime Versions

The following Java runtime versions are supported:

Java 8 (LTS release)
Java 11 (LTS release)

The command-line tool application may run on other Java versions, however we do not perform extensive testing with non-LTS releases. Java version 17 is not supported yet due to issues with running Bouncy Castle provider from a fat jar.

Bouncy Castle Library Usage

The command-line tool application embeds the Bouncy Castle Java Security library. Configuration of the security provider in java.security file should not be required due to dynamic initialization of the provider, however the behaviour may vary per Java distribution.

Deploying PowerAuth Backend Components

See the Server Side Tutorial for information about deploying the backend components, how to initialize an activation and additional topics which provide required context in case you are new to PowerAuth.

The command-line tool usually communicates with the Enrollment server component, however it can be also used with PowerAuth Web Flow or with your own backends in case you include the PowerAuth RESTful Integration Libraries. The command-line tool does not communicate with PowerAuth server directly.

PowerAuth Client Config File

Note: You must create this file before you can use the utility. Obtain the information from the PowerAuth Admin interface.

Client configuration file is required for the correct function of the command-line utility. It contains the same information that would be bundled inside a mobile app after download from the application marketplace. The file stores application key, application secret and master server public key in a following format:

{
  "applicationName": "PowerAuth Reference Client",
  "applicationKey": "ivGlm/hl6rn9lSaD4qMgGw==",
  "applicationSecret": "bI5pNbDdAXWUr/UQY5+Tpg==",
  "masterPublicKey": "BO4+eqJPQTldjcV9G36dGiagsOHzgKgWz5uPuJKYwvIakbFmfWah1N4GXmBOS8aBEwQ+BcV04LL+OBBY0QS1bvg="
}

You must obtain the values for this file from the PowerAuth Admin interface:

PowerAuth Admin Preview

PowerAuth Client Status File

Note: You should not create this file yourself. The utility creates it for you.

This file is automatically created by the utility after you call the create method. It keeps the current PowerAuth Client activation status information. In other words, client status file contains everything that a mobile application would store after it was paired with the user account.

{
  "activationId" : "cebb3ae6-f774-4b74-8020-f7b4da64de8f",
  "serverPublicKey" : "BKVanyqfLG2MxVwMt/LhmFliqPpHxVhtU3PEMG9FOIeJFkPAQjHpije029//S+bOprC4j6a8DMukxfoYkCFfLjU=",
  "counter" : 10,
  "ctrData" : "oJoq6ds50Z+udWcY6hnbig==",
  "encryptedDevicePrivateKey" : "HxRPkVVTM3QL+hecOY6cwQNvgNzvp2GbvvQ7cAOUXxzAk1dDaZVh1hd+2k18ZHn2",
  "signatureBiometryKey" : "4Kb+7AO49ZHOpA4vtYzZGA==",
  "signatureKnowledgeKeyEncrypted" : "i0LTZsWPlmRel0L7eg8U2w==",
  "signatureKnowledgeKeySalt" : "J/LULF2V/fqE7Dw7AZhlmA==",
  "signaturePossessionKey" : "jO89IxZs9bawvW3qlNQCzg==",
  "transportMasterKey" : "kOh0lamazBJgDLSIcZ/ZJw=="
}

Specifying PowerAuth Protocol Version

Command-line tool supports following PowerAuth protocol versions:

Version 3.1 (default)
Version 3.0
Version 2.1
Version 2.0

You can specify the version of protocol you want to use using parameter version. Both major and minor version needs to be specified for the command-line tool action, however the server stores only the major version in the database. The version affects used cryptography, for example version 2 activations use custom encryption, while version 3 activations use an integrated ECIES scheme.

Supported Use-Cases

Create Activation

Use this method to create a new activation using an activation code.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server" \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "create" \
    --password "1234" \
    --activation-code "F3CCT-FNOUS-GEVJF-O3HMV"

Uses the create method to activate a PowerAuth Reference client by calling the PowerAuth Standard RESTful API endpoint /pa/v3/activation/create hosted on root URL http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server with an activation code F3CCT-FNOUS-GEVJF-O3HMV. Reads and stores the client status from the /tmp/pa_status.json file. Uses master public key and application identifiers stored in the /tmp/pamk.json file. Stores the knowledge related derived key using a given password 1234.

For backward compatibility, the tool also supports the prepare method as an alias to the create method, however this method is already deprecated. Usage of this method prints a deprecation warning.

Note: If a --password option is not provided, this method requires interactive console input of the password, in order to encrypt the knowledge related signature key.

Note: In case auto-commit mode is not used (default), the activation needs to be committed on the server using PowerAuth Admin application or using the PowerAuth server RESTful API.

Get Activation Status

Use this method to obtain information about existing activation.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server" \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "status"

Uses the status method to get the activation status for the activation ID stored in the status file /tmp/pa_status.json, by calling the PowerAuth Standard RESTful API endpoint /pa/v3/activation/status hosted on root URL http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server. Uses the master public key and application identifiers stored in the /tmp/pamk.json file.

Remove the Activation

Use to remove the activation on the server.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server" \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "remove" \
    --password "1234"

Uses the remove method to remove activation with an activation ID stored in the status file /tmp/pa_status.json, by calling the PowerAuth Standard RESTful API endpoint /pa/v3/activation/remove hosted on root URL http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server. Uses the master public key and application identifiers stored in the /tmp/pamk.json file. Unlocks the knowledge related signing key using 1234 as a password.

Note: If a --password option is not provided, this method requires interactive console input of the password, in order to unlock the knowledge related signature key.

Validate the Signature

Use this method to send signed GET or POST requests to given URL with provided data.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server/pa/v3/signature/validate" \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "sign" \
    --http-method "POST" \
    --resource-id "/pa/signature/validate" \
    --signature-type "possession_knowledge" \
    --data-file "/tmp/request.json" \
    --password "1234"

Uses the sign method to compute a signature for given data using an activation record associated with an activation ID stored in the status file /tmp/pa_status.json. Calls an authenticated endpoint http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server/pa/v3/signature/validate that is identified by an identifier /pa/signature/validate (by convention the same as the endpoint name after the main context except the version). The endpoint must be published by the application - see Verify Signature. Uses the master public key and application identifiers stored in the /tmp/pamk.json file. Uses HTTP method POST, possession_knowledge signature type and takes the request data from a file /tmp/request.json. Unlocks the knowledge related signing key using 1234 as a password.

Note: If a --password option is not provided, this method requires interactive console input of the password, in order to unlock the knowledge related signature key.

In case you are validating signature on requests that require authenticated session, use --http-header option:

You can use the dry-run parameter, in this case the step is stopped right after signing the request body and preparing appropriate headers.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server/pa/v3/signature/validate" \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "sign" \
    --http-method "POST" \
    --http-header Cookie="JSESSIONID=D0A047F9E8A9928386A5B34AB6343C30"
    --resource-id "/pa/signature/validate" \
    --signature-type "possession_knowledge" \
    --data-file "/tmp/request.json" \
    --password "1234"

Note: The choice of signature version is determined by presence of ctrData in status file (present since version 3.0).

Unlock the Secure Vault

Use this method to test secure vault unlocking.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server" \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "unlock" \
    --signature-type "possession_knowledge" \
    --password "1234" \
    --reason "NOT_SPECIFIED"

Uses the unlock method to unlock the secure vault for an activation with activation ID stored in the status file /tmp/pa_status.json, by calling the PowerAuth Standard RESTful API endpoint /pa/v3/vault/unlock hosted on root URL http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server. Uses the master public key and application identifiers stored in the /tmp/pamk.json file. Unlocks the knowledge related signing key using 1234 as a password. The reason why vault is being unlocked is NOT_SPECIFIED.

Note: If a --password option is not provided, this method requires interactive console input of the password, in order to unlock the knowledge related signature key.

Create Token

Create a static token which can be used for repeated requests to data resources which support token based authentication.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server" \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "create-token" \
    --signature-type "possession_knowledge" \
    --password "1234"

Uses the create-token method to create a token for an activation with activation ID stored in the status file /tmp/pa_status.json, by calling the PowerAuth Standard RESTful API endpoint /pa/v3/token/create hosted on root URL http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server. Uses the server public key, transport key and application identifiers stored in the /tmp/pamk.json file. Unlocks the knowledge related signing key using 1234 as a password.

Note: If a --password option is not provided, this method requires interactive console input of the password, in order to unlock the knowledge related signature key.

Validate Token

Use a previously created token to authorize an operation.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server/api/auth/token" \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "validate-token" \
    --http-method "POST" \
    --data-file "/tmp/request.json" \
    --token-id "66b8b981-a89d-4fc2-bd49-1c05f937a6f2" \
    --token-secret "xfb1NUXAPbvDZK8qyNVGyw=="

Uses the validate-token method for an activation with activation ID stored in the status file /tmp/pa_status.json, by calling an endpoint /api/auth/token hosted on root URL http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server. The endpoint must be published by the application – see Token Based Authentication. Uses the application identifiers stored in the /tmp/pamk.json file. The request data is taken from file /tmp/request.json.

You can use the dry-run parameter, in this case the step is stopped right after signing the request body and preparing appropriate headers.

Remove Token

Remove a previously created token.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server" \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "remove-token" \
    --signature-type "possession_knowledge" \
    --password "1234" \
    --token-id "66b8b981-a89d-4fc2-bd49-1c05f937a6f2"

Uses the remove-token method to remove a previously created token for an activation with activation ID stored in the status file /tmp/pa_status.json, by calling the PowerAuth Standard RESTful API endpoint /pa/v3/token/remove hosted on root URL http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server. Uses the application identifiers stored in the /tmp/pamk.json file to create the request signature. Unlocks the knowledge related signing key using 1234 as a password.

Note: If a --password option is not provided, this method requires interactive console input of the password, in order to unlock the knowledge related signature key.

Custom Attributes for Activation

Use this method to create an activation using the custom identity attributes.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server" \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "create-custom" \
    --identity-file "/tmp/identity.json" \
    --custom-attributes-file "/tmp/custom-attributes.json" \
    --password "1234"

Uses the create-custom method to activate a PowerAuth Reference client by calling activation endpoint with identity attributes stored in /tmp/identity.json file and custom activation attributes stored in /tmp/custom-attributes.json file. Reads and stores the client status from the /tmp/pa_status.json file. Uses master public key and application identifiers stored in the /tmp/pamk.json file. Stores the knowledge related derived key using a given password 1234.

There is a required format of both identity.json and custom-attributes.json files. The custom-attributes.json file may be any JSON file representing an object (at least, the file must contain {} string). The identity.json file must be a simple JSON object with identity attributes stored as string key-value, for example:

{
    "username": "johndoe01",
    "password": "s3cR!7"
}

Note: If a --password option is not provided, this method requires interactive console input of the password, in order to encrypt the knowledge related signature key.

Note: In protocol version 2.x you need to provide a full URL in --url parameter, pointing to the custom activation endpoint.

Send Encrypted Data to Server

Use this method to send encrypted data to the server.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server/exchange" \
    --config-file "config.json" \
    --method "encrypt" \
    --data-file "request.json" \
    --scope "application"

Uses the encrypt method to encrypt data in request.json file using ECIES encryption. The encryption uses application scope, you can use the activation option to switch to activation scope. The encrypted data is sent to specified endpoint URL. The endpoint which receives encrypted data needs to decrypt the data and return encrypted response back to the client. The cmd line tool receives the encrypted response from server, decrypts it and prints it into the command line.

Send Signed and Encrypted Data to Server

Use this method to send signed and encrypted data to the server.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server/exchange/v3/signed" \
    --status-file "pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "config.json" \
    --method "sign-encrypt" \
    --http-method "POST" \
    --resource-id "/exchange/v3/signed" \
    --signature-type "possession_knowledge" \
    --data-file "request.json" \
    --password "1234"

The data in request.json file is signed and encrypted using ECIES encryption. See chapter Validate the Signature which describes signature parameters. The encrypted data is sent to specified endpoint URL. The endpoint which receives encrypted data needs to decrypt the data, verify data signature and return encrypted response back to the client. The cmd line tool receives the encrypted response from server, decrypts it and prints it into the command line.

Send Encrypted Data with Token Validation to Server

Use this method to send encrypted data with token validation to the server.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server/exchange/v3/token" \
    --status-file "pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "config.json" \
    --method "token-encrypt" \
    --http-method "POST" \
    --data-file "request.json" \
    --token-id "66b8b981-a89d-4fc2-bd49-1c05f937a6f2" \
    --token-secret "xfb1NUXAPbvDZK8qyNVGyw=="

The data in request.json file is encrypted using ECIES encryption and token authentication is computed. The encrypted data is sent to specified endpoint URL. The endpoint which receives encrypted data needs to decrypt the data, validate the token and return encrypted response back to the client. The cmd line tool receives the encrypted response from server, decrypts it and prints it into the command line.

Start Upgrade

Use this method to start upgrade of a version 2 activation to version 3.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/enrollment-server" \
    --status-file "pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "config.json" \
    --method "start-upgrade"

The start upgrade request is sent to the server. The server response with generated hash based counter value ctrData which is later used for the first version 3.0 signature verification during commit upgrade.

Commit Upgrade

Use this method to commit upgrade of a version 2 activation to version 3.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --url "http://localhost:8080/powerauth-webflow" \
    --status-file "pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "config.json" \
    --method "commit-upgrade"

The commit upgrade request is sent to the server including a version 3.0 signature. The server verifies the request signature and commits the upgrade of activation to version 3.

Compute Offline Signature

Use this method to compute offline PowerAuth signature.

java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar \
    --status-file "/tmp/pa_status.json" \
    --config-file "/tmp/pamk.json" \
    --method "compute-offline-signature" \
    --qr-code-data "c68dc57f-ee5f-497c-8c92-338439426e76\nApprove Login\nPlease confirm the login request.\nA2\nB\nETIK4iFz1E9u6vABKSbytg==\n1MEYCIQCnQqFFzS589auwdMRZ9Aq5qFxso21oxd2sng9Vp7gCUgIhAITaJ9L3fP2tov63mcIgU2e/37h9EXyAMhzrCXXDNJZE" \
    --password "1234"

The qr-code-data parameter is taken from QR code generated by PowerAuth RESTful services. Note that the QR code is signed, the signature is verified during offline signature computation. The method unlocks the knowledge related signing key using 1234 as a password.

The method does not execute any server calls due to its offline nature. The computed offline signature is used as an OTP and it is available from the output of the command in decimal format, e.g.: "offlineSignature" : "99961544-80193814".

Basic Usage

PowerAuth Reference Client is called as any Java application that is packaged as a JAR file and it uses following command-line arguments.

usage: java -jar powerauth-java-cmd.jar
 -a,--activation-code <arg>          In case a specified method is 'create', this field contains the
                                     activation key (a concatenation of a short activation ID and
                                     activation OTP).
 -A,--activation-otp <arg>           In case a specified method is 'create', this field contains
                                     additional activation OTP (PA server 0.24+)
 -c,--config-file <arg>              Specifies a path to the config file with Base64 encoded server
                                     master public key, application ID and application secret.
 -C,--custom-attributes-file <arg>   In case a specified method is 'create-custom', this field
                                     specifies the path to the file with custom attributes.
 -d,--data-file <arg>                In case a specified method is 'sign', 'sign-encrypt' or
                                     'token-encrypt', this field specifies a file with the input
                                     data to be signed and verified with the server, as specified in
                                     PowerAuth signature process or MAC token based authentication.
 -D,--device-info <arg>              Information about user device.
 -e,--endpoint <arg>                 Deprecated option, use the resource-id option instead.
 -E,--resource-id <arg>              In case a specified method is 'sign' or 'sign-encrypt', this
                                     field specifies a URI identifier, as specified in PowerAuth
                                     signature process.
 -h,--help                           Print this help manual.
 -H,--http-header <key=value>        Use provided HTTP header for communication
 -hs,--help-steps                    PowerAuth supported steps and versions.
 -hv,--help-versions                 PowerAuth supported versions and steps.
 -I,--identity-file <arg>            In case a specified method is 'create-custom', this field
                                     specifies the path to the file with identity attributes.
 -i,--invalidSsl                     Client may accept invalid SSL certificate in HTTPS
                                     communication.
 -l,--signature-type <arg>           In case a specified method is 'sign' or 'sign-encrypt', this
                                     field specifies a signature type, as specified in PowerAuth
                                     signature process.
 -m,--method <arg>                   What API method to call, available names are 'create',
                                     'status', 'remove', 'sign', 'unlock', 'create-custom',
                                     'create-token', 'validate-token', 'remove-token', 'encrypt',
                                     'sign-encrypt', 'token-encrypt', 'start-upgrade',
                                     'commit-upgrade', 'create-recovery' and
                                     'confirm-recovery-code'.
 -o,--scope <arg>                    ECIES encryption scope: 'application' or 'activation'.
 -p,--password <arg>                 Password used for a knowledge related key encryption. If not
                                     specified, an interactive input is required.
 -P,--platform <arg>                 User device platform.
 -r,--reason <arg>                   Reason why vault is being unlocked.
 -R,--recovery-code <arg>            Recovery code to be confirmed.
 -s,--status-file <arg>              Path to the file with the activation status, serving as the
                                     data persistence.
 -S,--token-secret <arg>             Token secret (Base64 encoded bytes), in case of
                                     'token-validate' method.
 -t,--http-method <arg>              In case a specified method is 'sign', 'sign-encrypt' or
                                     'token-encrypt', this field specifies a HTTP method, as
                                     specified in PowerAuth signature process.
 -T,--token-id <arg>                 Token ID (UUID4), in case of 'token-validate' method.
 -u,--url <arg>                      Base URL of the PowerAuth Standard RESTful API.
 -v,--version <arg>                  PowerAuth protocol version.
 -y,--dry-run                        In case a specified method is 'sign', 'sign-encrypt',
                                     'validate-token' or 'token-encrypt' and this attribute is
                                     specified, the step is stopped right after signing the request
                                     body and preparing appropriate headers.

Troubleshooting

Everything should be deployed correctly but utility cannot connect.

If you are using HTTPS, make sure you are using valid SSL certificate or that you use “-i” option.

Error: JCE cannot authenticate the provider BC

Please use a supported Java Runtime Version (LTS release of Java 8 or 11).

License

All PowerAuth command-line tool sources are licensed using Apache 2.0 license, you can use them with no restriction. Note that most of the PowerAuth backend components use the AGPL v3.0 license. If you are using PowerAuth, please let us know. We will be happy to share and promote your project.

Last updated on Nov 03, 2022 (12:16) Edit on Github Send Feedback