In today’s digital landscape, securing web applications with SSL certificates is crucial for protecting sensitive data and ensuring trust with users. However, managing SSL certificates can be a complex and time-consuming task. Enter Key Vault Acmebot, an open-source tool designed to automate SSL certificate issuance and renewal using Azure Key Vault and the ACME (Automated Certificate Management Environment) protocol. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to get started with KeyVault Acmebot and streamline your SSL certificate management process.

What is KeyVault Acmebot?

KeyVault Acmebot is a solution developed by Shibayan that automates the process of obtaining and renewing SSL/TLS certificates from Let’s Encrypt or other ACME-compatible Certificate Authorities (CAs). By leveraging Azure Key Vault, KeyVault Acmebot securely stores and manages these certificates, integrating seamlessly with Azure services like App Service, Application Gateway, and others.

Key Features of KeyVault Acmebot

• Automated Certificate Issuance and Renewal: Automatically obtain and renew SSL certificates without manual intervention.
• Azure Integration: Works seamlessly with Azure Key Vault and other Azure services.
• Support for Multiple Domains: Easily manage certificates for multiple domains and subdomains.
• Customizable Deployment: Flexible deployment options to fit various use cases and environments.

Prerequisites

• An Azure subscription.
• An Azure Key Vault instance.
• Azure App Service or other Azure services where you need to use the certificates.
• Basic knowledge of Azure and SSL certificates.

Getting Started with KeyVault Acmebot

Deploy KeyVault Acmebot to Azure

• Navigate to the KeyVault Acmebot GitHub repository.
• Click on the Deploy to Azure button to begin the deployment process.
• This action will redirect you to the Azure portal, where you need to fill in necessary details such as subscription, resource group, and other parameters.
• Click Review + Create and then Create to start the deployment.

Configure Azure Key Vault

• After deploying KeyVault Acmebot, navigate to your Azure Key Vault in the Azure portal.
• Go to Access policies and add a new access policy.
• Select the permissions: Get, List, Update, Create, and Delete under the Certificate permissions section.
• Assign these permissions to the managed identity of the KeyVault Acmebot.

Implementation Steps:

Using an ARM template, you can create the resources and deploy the code. You can use an existing key vault, but you will need to create a new function app. Once the resources are created, follow these steps:

Select ACME CA:

• Acmebot allows you to select the ACME Certificate Authority (CA) that will issue the certificate. Currently, the following CAs have been verified to work:Let’s Encrypt: https://acme-v02.api.letsencrypt.org/directory

Configure Function App Settings:

• Acmebot:VaultBaseUrl
  • URL of the Azure Key Vault (if you are using an existing Key Vault).
• Acmebot:Webhook:
  • Webhook destination URL (optional, Slack and Microsoft Teams are recommended). A message will be sent when the process succeeds or fails.

Add DNS Provider Settings:

For DNS Made Easy:

• Acmebot:DnsMadeEasy
• Acmebot:DnsMadeEasy
• These are the DNS Made Easy API credentials.
• Enable App Service Authentication

You must enable authentication on the Function App deployed as part of this application.

In the Azure Portal, open the Function blade, select the “Authentication” menu, and enable App Service authentication.

Click on the “Add identity provider” button to display the screen for adding a new identity provider.

If you select Microsoft as your identity provider, the required settings will be automatically filled in for you. The default settings are fine.

Access to Dashboard:

Access https://YOUR-FUNCTIONS.azurewebsites.net/dashboard with a browser. You will see a list of certificates managed by Acmebot. From this dashboard, you can easily issue new certificates, and renew or revoke existing ones.

Benefits of Using KeyVault Acmebot

• Automation: Reduces manual effort and errors by automating the certificate issuance and renewal process.
• Security: Stores certificates securely in Azure Key Vault, benefiting from Azure’s robust security features.
• Cost-effective: Uses Let’s Encrypt, a free, automated, and open CA, to issue SSL certificates.
• Scalability: Easily manage certificates for multiple domains and services within your Azure environment.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• DNS Verification Failures: Ensure DNS records are correctly set up and propagated. Use online DNS lookup tools to verify.
• Permission Errors: Double-check that the KeyVault Acmebot has the necessary permissions in Azure Key Vault.
• Certificate Binding Issues: Confirm that the correct certificates are imported and assigned in your Azure services.

Conclusion

KeyVault Acmebot simplifies the often complex task of SSL certificate management, making it accessible and efficient for organizations of all sizes. By integrating with Azure Key Vault and automating the entire process, it allows you to focus on your core business activities while ensuring your web applications remain secure. Start your journey with KeyVault Acmebot today and experience hassle-free SSL certificate management.

For detailed instructions and additional configuration options, visit the KeyVault Acmebot GitHub Wiki.