diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index d785133..9447d67 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -5,7 +5,10 @@

- PSCredentialStore + PSCredentialStore

@@ -19,7 +22,10 @@

- Master Branch Build Status + Master Branch Build Status - PowershellGallery Published Version + PowershellGallery Published Version - + - +

## :key: General -The PSCredentialStore is a simple credential manager for `PSCredential` objects. It stores PSCredentials in a simple json -file. You can choose between a private and shared credential store. The private one exists in your profile and can -ony accessed by your account on the same machine. The shared store enables you to use different credentials for your -scripts without exposing them as plain text. +The PSCredentialStore is a simple credential manager for `PSCredential` objects. It stores PSCredentials in a simple +json file. You can choose between a private and shared credential store. The private one exists in your profile and +can ony accessed by your account on the same machine. The shared store enables you to use different credentials for +your scripts without exposing them as plain text. PSCredentialStore was developed to simplify the delegation of complex powershell scripts. In this case you often need to store credentials for non interactive usage like in scheduled tasks. @@ -51,10 +64,10 @@ need to store credentials for non interactive usage like in scheduled tasks. Starting with version `1.0.0` PSCredential uses Pfx certificates fo encryption. You can use Pfx certificate files or certificates stored in the certificate store. -For more details read the [about_PSCredentialStore](/docs/about_PSCredentialStore.md) page on gitea or via CLI with +For more details read the [about_PSCredentialStore](docs/about_PSCredentialStore.md) page on Gitea or via CLI with `Get-Help about_PSCredentialStore`. -You can find the [reference](/docs/PSCredentialStore.md) in the /docs/ path as well. +You can find the full [reference](docs/Readme.md) in the */docs/* path as well. ## :vulcan_salute: Requirements @@ -63,24 +76,26 @@ You can find the [reference](/docs/PSCredentialStore.md) in the /docs/ path as w ## :bomb: About Security ->This section explains some security topics and the the design decisions we made to balance the usage and security needs. +> This section explains some security topics and the design decisions we made to balance the usage and security needs. To be able to delegate `PSCredentials` objects we can't exclusively rely on the `SecureString` cmdlets. You can't decrypt and reuse such credentials from a different user account or even machine. This is caused by automatically -generated encryption key which, is used create a `Secure String` based encrypted string. +generated encryption key, which is used create a `Secure String` based encrypted string. In order to delegate a password, while still using the underlying security framework, we have to provide a custom encryption key. This leads to the fact, that everyone who has access to the key could encrypt or decrypt your data. -So we decided to use the public and private keys from valid certificates as part of the custom encryption keys to encrypt your data. +So we decided to use the public and private keys from valid certificates as part of the custom encryption keys to +encrypt your data. -This means clearly: Everyone who has access to the `CredentialStore` needs also access to the certificate file to work with it. +This means clearly: Everyone who has access to the `CredentialStore` needs also access to the certificate file to +work with it. -Keep in mind you need to secure the access with your NTFS file permissions to avoid unwanted usage. Another option is -to import the certificate into your certification vaults of you operating system. In this case you can grand the +Keep in mind you need to secure the access with your NTFS file permissions to avoid unwanted usage. Another option +is to import the certificate into your certification vaults of you operating system. In this case you can grand the permission to the certificates itself. -Here is s brief hierarchy description of the certificate location: *(First match wins)* +Here is a brief hierarchy description for the certificate lookup order: *(First match wins)* | CredentialStore Type | Certificate Location | | -------------------- | ---------------------- | @@ -95,9 +110,9 @@ Here is s brief hierarchy description of the certificate location: *(First match ### :artificial_satellite: PowerShellGallery.com (Recommended Way) * Make sure you use PowerShell 5.1 or higher with `$PSVersionTable`. -* Use the builtin PackageManagement and install with: `Import-Module PowerShellGet; Install-Module 'PSCredentialStore' -Repository 'PSGallery'` +* Use the builtin PackageManagement + PowerShellGet module and install PSCredentialStore with: `Import-Module PowerShellGet; Install-Module 'PSCredentialStore' -Repository 'PSGallery'` * Additionally use the `-AllowPrerelease` switch until we publish the final release! -* Done. Start exploring the Module with `Import-Module PSCredentialStore ; Get-Command -Module PSCredentialStore` +* Done. Start exploring the Module with `Import-Module PSCredentialStore; Get-Command -Module PSCredentialStore` ### :building_construction: Manual Way @@ -109,8 +124,9 @@ Here is s brief hierarchy description of the certificate location: *(First match ### :sparkles: Quick Start -**1.** First we need a blank credential store. You can decide between a *private* or *shared* store. The private -Credential Store can only be accessed with your profile on the machine you created it. +**1.** First we need a blank credential store. You can decide between a *private* or *shared* one. + +> :bulb: Note: The private credential store can only be accessed with your profile on the machine you created it. Starting with version `1.0.0` you can decide the storage type of your fresh created certificate. As default PSCredentialStore creates a new pfx certificate file beside the credential store itself. Optionally you can provide @@ -126,11 +142,12 @@ New-CredentialStore -UseCertStore # Shared credential store New-CredentialStore -Shared -#Shared credential store in custom location +# Shared credential store in custom location New-CredentialStore -Shared -Path 'C:\CredentialStore.json' ``` **2.** Now you can manage your credential store items: + ```powershell # This will prompt for credentials and stores it in a private store New-CredentialStoreItem -RemoteHost 'dc01.myside.local' -Identifier 'AD' @@ -141,7 +158,7 @@ Invoke-Command -ComputerName 'dc01.myside.local' -Credential $DCCreds -ScripBloc ``` The credential store contains also a simple function to establish a connection with several systems or protocols. -If you have already installed the underlying framework / modules, you can connect these endpoints: +If you have already installed the underlying framework / modules, you can connect to these endpoint types: * **CiscoUcs** - Establish a connection to a Cisco UCS fabric interconnect. * Required Modules: [`Cisco.UCS.Core`, `Cisco.UCSManager`](https://software.cisco.com/download/release.html?i=!y&mdfid=286305108&softwareid=284574017&release=2.1.1)