Upgrade Self-Managed MongoDB from Keyfile Authentication to x.509 Authentication

Upgrade (Using tls Options) Clusters Using TLS/SSL and Keyfile

For clusters using TLS/SSL and keyfile authentication, to upgrade to x.509 cluster authentication, use the following rolling upgrade process:

1. For each member of a cluster, add the following settings to the configuration file and restart:

   • security.clusterAuthMode

     Set to sendKeyFile. With this setting value, each node continues to send its keyfile to authenticate itself as a member. However, each node can receive either a keyfile or an x.509 certificate from other members to authenticate those members.

   • net.tls.clusterFile

     Set to the appropriate path of the node's certificate key file for membership authentication. The mongod / mongos presents this file to other members of the cluster to identify itself as a member.

   Include other TLS/SSL options and any other options as appropriate for your specific configuration.

   For example:

   net:
      tls:
         mode: requireTLS
         certificateKeyFile: /etc/ssl/mongodb.pem
         CAFile: /etc/ssl/caToValidateReceivedCertificates.pem
         clusterFile: "/etc/ssl/myReplMembershipCertificateKeyFile.pem"
   security:
      clusterAuthMode: sendKeyFile
      keyFile: /my/securely/located/membershipkey
   replication:
      replSetName: myReplicaSet
   net:
      bindIp: localhost,mongodb0.example.net
      port: 27017
   systemLog:
      destination: file
      path: "/var/log/mongodb/mongod.log"
      logAppend: true
   storage:
      dbPath: "/var/lib/mongodb"
   processManagement:
      fork: true

   Update all nodes of the cluster to include the security.clusterAuthMode and net.tls.clusterFile settings before continuing.

2. Connect to each node and use the setParameter command to update the clusterAuthMode to sendX509. [1]

   db.adminCommand( { setParameter: 1, clusterAuthMode: "sendX509" } )

   With sendX509, each node sends its net.tls.clusterFile to authenticate itself as a member. However, each node can receive either a keyfile or an x.509 certificate from other members to authenticate those members.

   Upgrade all nodes of the cluster to this setting before continuing.

3. Optional but recommended. Finally, for each node of the cluster, connect to the node and use the setParameter command to update the clusterAuthMode to x509 to only use the x.509 certificate for authentication. [1]

   db.adminCommand( { setParameter: 1, clusterAuthMode: "x509" } )

4. After the upgrade of all nodes, edit the configuration file with the appropriate x.509 settings to ensure that upon subsequent restarts, the cluster uses x.509 authentication. For example:

   net:
      tls:
         mode: requireTLS
         certificateKeyFile: /etc/ssl/mongodb.pem
         CAFile: /etc/ssl/caToValidateReceivedCertificates.pem
         clusterFile: "/etc/ssl/myReplMembershipCertificateKeyFile.pem"
   security.clusterAuthMode: x509
   replication:
      replSetName: myReplicaSet
   net:
      bindIp: localhost,mongodb0.example.net
      port: 27017
   systemLog:
      destination: file
      path: "/var/log/mongodb/mongod.log"
      logAppend: true
   storage:
      dbPath: "/var/lib/mongodb"
   processManagement:
      fork: true

Update (Using tls Options) Clusters Using Keyfile but Not TLS/SSL

For clusters using keyfile authentication but not TLS/SSL, to upgrade to x.509 membership authentication and TLS/SSL connections:

1. For each member of a cluster, add the following settings to the configuration file and restart:

   • net.tls.mode

     Set to allowTLS. This value allows the node to accept both TLS/SSL and non-TLS/non-SSL incoming connections. Its outgoing connections do not use TLS/SSL.

   • net.tls.certificateKeyFile

     Set to the path of the file that contains the TLS/SSL certificate and key. The mongod / mongos presents this file to its clients to establish the instance's identity. Required when using TLS/SSL.

   • net.tls.clusterFile

     Set to the appropriate path of the node's certificate key file for membership authentication. The mongod / mongos presents this file to other members of the cluster to identify itself as a member.

   • net.tls.CAFile

     Set to the path of the file that contains the certificate chain for verifying received certificates.

   • security.clusterAuthMode

     Set to sendKeyFile. This allows each node continues to send its keyfile to authenticate itself as a member. However, each node can receive either a keyfile or an x.509 certificate from other members to authenticate those members.

   Include other TLS/SSL options and any other options as appropriate for your specific configuration.

   For example:

   net:
      tls:
         mode: allowTLS
         certificateKeyFile: /etc/ssl/mongodb.pem
         clusterFile: "/etc/ssl/myReplMembershipCertificateKeyFile.pem"
         CAFile: /etc/ssl/caToValidateReceivedCertificates.pem
   security:
      clusterAuthMode: sendKeyFile
      keyFile: /my/securely/located/membershipkey
   replication:
      replSetName: myReplicaSet
   net:
      bindIp: localhost,mongodb0.example.net
      port: 27017
   systemLog:
      destination: file
      path: "/var/log/mongodb/mongod.log"
      logAppend: true
   storage:
      dbPath: "/var/lib/mongodb"
   processManagement:
      fork: true

   Upgrade all nodes of the cluster to include net.tls.mode, net.tls.certificateKeyFile, net.tls.clusterFile, and security.clusterAuthMode.

2. Connect to each node and use the setParameter command [1] to:

   1. Update the tlsMode to preferSSL. With the tlsMode set to preferTLS, the node accepts both TLS/SSL and non-TLS/non-SSL incoming connections, and its outgoing connections use TLS/SSL.

   2. Update the clusterAuthMode to sendX509. With the clusterAuthMode set to sendX509, each node sends its net.tls.clusterFile to authenticate itself as a member. However, each node continues to accept either a keyfile or an x.509 certificate from other members to authenticate those members.

   db.adminCommand( { setParameter: 1, tlsMode: "preferTLS" } );
   db.adminCommand( { setParameter: 1, clusterAuthMode: "sendX509" } );

   Upgrade all nodes of the cluster to these settings before continuing.

3. After the upgrade of all nodes, edit the configuration file with the appropriate TLS/SSL and x.509 settings to ensure that upon subsequent restarts, the cluster uses x.509 authentication.

   net:
      tls:
         mode: preferTLS
         certificateKeyFile: /etc/ssl/mongodb.pem
         clusterFile: "/etc/ssl/myReplMembershipCertificateKeyFile.pem"
         CAFile: /etc/ssl/caToValidateReceivedCertificates.pem
   security:
      clusterAuthMode: sendX509
   replication:
      replSetName: myReplicaSet
   net:
      bindIp: localhost,mongodb0.example.net
      port: 27017
   systemLog:
      destination: file
      path: "/var/log/mongodb/mongod.log"
      logAppend: true
   storage:
      dbPath: "/var/lib/mongodb"
   processManagement:
      fork: true

   Note

   At this point,

   • The nodes in the cluster use TLS/SSL connections. However, the nodes can accept non-TLS/SSL connections from client applications.

   • The nodes send their x.509 certificates for membership authentication, but can accept either x.509 certificates or keyfiles from other nodes to verify the other nodes' membership.

   To enforce TLS/SSL connections from client applications as well as only accept x.509 for membership authentication, see next step.

4. Optional but recommended. Update all nodes to use only TLS/SSL connections and only x.509 certificate for membership authentication.

   Important

   This TLS/SSL connection requirement applies to all connections; that is, with the clients as well as with the members of the cluster. That is, clients must specify TLS/SSL connections and presents its certificate key file when connecting to the cluster. See Connect to MongoDB Instances that Require Client Certificates for more information on connecting with TLS/SSL. See also Validate Only if a Client Presents a Certificate.

   Update the net.tls.mode to requireTLS and security.clusterAuthMode to x509.

   For example:

   net:
      tls:
         mode: requireTLS
         certificateKeyFile: /etc/ssl/mongodb.pem
         clusterFile: "/etc/ssl/myReplMembershipCertificateKeyFile.pem"
         CAFile: /etc/ssl/caToValidateReceivedCertificates.pem
   security:
      clusterAuthMode: x509
   replication:
      replSetName: myReplicaSet
   net:
      bindIp: localhost,mongodb0.example.net
      port: 27017
   systemLog:
      destination: file
      path: "/var/log/mongodb/mongod.log"
      logAppend: true
   storage:
      dbPath: "/var/lib/mongodb"
   processManagement:
      fork: true

Clusters Currently Using TLS/SSL (Using ssl Options)

For clusters using TLS/SSL and keyfile authentication, to upgrade to x.509 cluster authentication, use the following rolling upgrade process:

1. For each node of a cluster, start the node with the option --clusterAuthMode set to sendKeyFile and the option --sslClusterFile set to the appropriate path of the node's certificate. Include other TLS/SSL options as well as any other options that are required for your specific configuration. For example:

   mongod --replSet <name> --sslMode requireSSL --clusterAuthMode sendKeyFile --sslClusterFile <path to membership certificate and key PEM file> --sslPEMKeyFile <path to TLS/SSL Certificate and key PEM file>  --sslCAFile <path to root CA PEM file> --bind_ip localhost,<hostname(s)|ip address(es)>

   With this setting, each node continues to use its keyfile to authenticate itself as a member. However, each node can now accept either a keyfile or an x.509 certificate from other members to authenticate those members. Upgrade all nodes of the cluster to this setting.

2. Then, for each node of a cluster, connect to the node and use the setParameter command to update the clusterAuthMode to sendX509. [1] For example,

   db.adminCommand( { setParameter: 1, clusterAuthMode: "sendX509" } )

   With this setting, each node uses its x.509 certificate, specified with the --sslClusterFile option in the previous step, to authenticate itself as a member. However, each node continues to accept either a keyfile or an x.509 certificate from other members to authenticate those members. Upgrade all nodes of the cluster to this setting.

3. Optional but recommended. Finally, for each node of the cluster, connect to the node and use the setParameter command to update the clusterAuthMode to x509 to only use the x.509 certificate for authentication. [1] For example:

   db.adminCommand( { setParameter: 1, clusterAuthMode: "x509" } )

4. After the upgrade of all nodes, edit the configuration file with the appropriate x.509 settings to ensure that upon subsequent restarts, the cluster uses x.509 authentication.

See --clusterAuthMode for the various modes and their descriptions.

Clusters Currently Not Using TLS/SSL (Using ssl Options)

For clusters using keyfile authentication but not TLS/SSL, to upgrade to x.509 authentication, use the following rolling upgrade process:

1. For each node of a cluster, start the node with the option --sslMode set to allowSSL, the option --clusterAuthMode set to sendKeyFile and the option --sslClusterFile set to the appropriate path of the node's certificate. Include other TLS/SSL options as well as any other options that are required for your specific configuration. For example:

   mongod --replSet <name> --sslMode allowSSL --clusterAuthMode sendKeyFile --sslClusterFile <path to membership certificate and key PEM file> --sslPEMKeyFile <path to TLS/SSL certificate and key PEM file> --sslCAFile <path to root CA PEM file> --bind_ip localhost,<hostname(s)|ip address(es)>

   The --sslMode allowSSL setting allows the node to accept both TLS/SSL and non-TLS/non-SSL incoming connections. The node's outgoing connections do not use TLS/SSL.

   The --clusterAuthMode sendKeyFile setting allows each node continues to use its keyfile to authenticate itself as a member. However, each node can now accept either a keyfile or an x.509 certificate from other members to authenticate those members.

   Upgrade all nodes of the cluster to these settings.

2. Then, for each node of a cluster, connect to the node and use the setParameter command to update the sslMode to preferSSL and the clusterAuthMode to sendX509. [1] For example:

   db.adminCommand( { setParameter: 1, sslMode: "preferSSL", clusterAuthMode: "sendX509" } )

   With the sslMode set to preferSSL, the node accepts both TLS/SSL and non-TLS/non-SSL incoming connections, and its outgoing connections use TLS/SSL.

   With the clusterAuthMode set to sendX509, each node uses its x.509 certificate, specified with the --sslClusterFile option in the previous step, to authenticate itself as a member. However, each node continues to accept either a keyfile or an x.509 certificate from other members to authenticate those members.

   Upgrade all nodes of the cluster to these settings.

3. Optional but recommended. Finally, for each node of the cluster, connect to the node and use the setParameter command to update the sslMode to requireSSL and the clusterAuthMode to x509. [1] For example:

   db.adminCommand( { setParameter: 1, sslMode: "requireSSL", clusterAuthMode: "x509" } )

   With the sslMode set to requireSSL, the node only uses TLS/SSLs connections.

   With the clusterAuthMode set to x509, the node only uses the x.509 certificate for authentication.

4. After the upgrade of all nodes, edit the configuration file with the appropriate TLS/SSL and x.509 settings to ensure that upon subsequent restarts, the cluster uses x.509 authentication.

See --clusterAuthMode for the various modes and their descriptions.