Connecting to a Websphere MQ in Java with SSL/Keystore

Question

I'd like to connect to a Websphere 6.0 MQ via Java. I have already working code for a "normal" queue, but now I need to access a new queue which is SSL encrypted (keystore). I have been sent a file called something.jks, which I assume is a certificate I need to store somewhere. I have been searching the net, but I can't find the right information.

This is the code I use for the "normal" queue. I assume I need to set some property, but not sure which one.

MQQueueConnectionFactory connectionFactory = new MQQueueConnectionFactory();
connectionFactory.setChannel(channel_);
connectionFactory.setHostName(hostname_);
connectionFactory.setPort(port_);
connectionFactory.setQueueManager(queueManager_);
connectionFactory.setTransportType(1);
connectionFactory.setSSsetSSLCertStores(arg0)

Connection connection = connectionFactory.createConnection();
connection.setExceptionListener(this);
session_ = connection.createSession(DEFAULT_TRANSACTED, DEFAULT_ACKMODE);
connection.start();

javax.jms.Queue fQueue = session_.createQueue(queue_);
consumer = session_.createConsumer(fQueue);

Answer 1

Alex Fehners tutorial in developerWorks is a bit old (2005) but has code samples that should work for you.

SSL configuration of the Websphere MQ Java/JMS client

Your Java app will authenticate the QMgr based on its certificate. That means the jks file you were provided must have either the QMgr's self-signed certificate or it will have the root certificate of a Certificate Authority that signed the QMgr's certificate. In either case you point to the file using the -Djavax.net.ssl.trustStore=<location of trustStore> as noted in the article linked above. If the jks has a password, you will need to specify -Djavax.net.ssl.trustStorePassword=<password> as well. Authenticating the QMgr with a truststore is always required. The next part may or may not be required.

The other piece of the puzzle is that the QMgr may require your app to present a certificate. In other words, the QMgr cert is always authenticated, whether the app is required to authenticate is optional. If it is then you have what is known as "mutual authentication". If the channel that you connect to has been configured with SSLCAUTH(REQUIRED) then mutual auth has been enabled and the QMgr must have your application's self-signed cert or a CA root cert that signed your app's cert in its keystore. Hopefully whoever set up your jks file will have arranged for this already.

Assuming mutual auth is required, then your jks will have, in addition to the QMgr's trusted cert, a private cert representing your application. To get the app to fetch the cert and present it to the QMgr, you use the -Djavax.net.ssl.keyStore=<location of keyStore> and -Djavax.net.ssl.keyStorePassword=<password> parameters. Note these say key store whereas the previous parms said trust store.

My recommendation is to work with the WMQ administrator to set up and test the SSL connection. The first phase should be to test the channel with SSLCAUTH(OPTIONAL). This verifies that the application can resolve and authenticate the QMgr's certificate. Only when you get this working would the WMQ admin then change the channel to SSLCAUTH(REQUIRED) which tests authentication in the reverse direction.

I would highly recommend that you use the WMQ v7 client for a new application. This is for two reasons: 1) v6 is end-of-life as of Sept 2011; 2) the v7 code has a lot more diagnostic capability built in. The v7 client code is completely compatible with a v6 QMgr and works like the v6 client. You just don't get the v7 functionality. Download the WMQ client code free here:

IBM - MQC7: WebSphere MQ V7.0 Clients

I'm running the WMQ Hands-On Security Lab at IMPACT this year and will be posting the scripts and lab guide over the weekend at http://t-rob.net so check back for that.