Nginx · December 19, 2023

Nginx Tip - Use the proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate for trusted CA certificates

Nginx Tip - Use the proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate for trusted CA certificates

Nginx is a popular web server and reverse proxy server that is known for its high performance, scalability, and flexibility. It is widely used by many websites and web applications to handle incoming requests and serve static and dynamic content efficiently. In this article, we will explore a useful Nginx tip - the use of the proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate directive for trusted CA certificates.

What are CA certificates?

CA (Certificate Authority) certificates are digital certificates issued by trusted organizations that verify the authenticity of a website or web server. These certificates are used to establish secure connections between clients (web browsers) and servers, ensuring that the communication is encrypted and secure.

When a client connects to a server using HTTPS, the server presents its SSL/TLS certificate to the client. The client then checks if the certificate is signed by a trusted CA. If the certificate is trusted, the client proceeds with the secure connection. Otherwise, it displays a warning to the user.

The role of proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate

In some cases, Nginx acts as a reverse proxy server, forwarding client requests to backend servers. When Nginx is configured as a reverse proxy, it can also handle SSL/TLS termination, decrypting the incoming requests and forwarding them to the backend servers in plain HTTP.

However, when Nginx terminates SSL/TLS, it needs to establish a secure connection with the client on behalf of the backend server. This requires Nginx to present a valid SSL/TLS certificate to the client. To ensure that the client trusts the certificate presented by Nginx, the proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate directive is used.

How to use proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate

The proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate directive is used to specify the path to a file containing trusted CA certificates. These certificates are used by Nginx to verify the authenticity of the SSL/TLS certificate presented to the client.

Here is an example configuration:

http {
  proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate /etc/nginx/trusted-ca.crt;

  server {
    listen 443;
    server_name example.com;

    location / {
      proxy_pass http://backend;
    }
  }
}

In this example, the proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate directive specifies the path to the trusted-ca.crt file, which contains the trusted CA certificates. Nginx will use these certificates to verify the SSL/TLS certificate presented to the client.

Benefits of using proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate

Using the proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate directive offers several benefits:

  • Enhanced security: By specifying trusted CA certificates, Nginx ensures that only valid and trusted SSL/TLS certificates are presented to the client.
  • Prevention of man-in-the-middle attacks: Trusted CA certificates help prevent attackers from intercepting and tampering with the communication between the client and the server.
  • Improved trustworthiness: When clients see that the SSL/TLS certificate presented by Nginx is signed by a trusted CA, they are more likely to trust the website or web application.

Conclusion

The proxy_ssl_trusted_certificate directive in Nginx is a powerful tool for ensuring the security and trustworthiness of SSL/TLS connections when acting as a reverse proxy server. By specifying trusted CA certificates, Nginx can present valid and trusted SSL/TLS certificates to clients, enhancing security and preventing potential attacks.

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