Apache - Enable OCSP Stapling

Feb 19, 2024

Apache - Enable OCSP Stapling

Prior Reading:


Enable OCSP Stapling

  1. Make sure Apache 2.3.3 or above is installed.

    apache2 -v

    Note: The above applies to Debian & Ubuntu environments; Red Hat & CentOS users, replace apache2 with httpd.

     
  2. Edit the virtual host configuration file for your site using the editor of your choice (such as nano or vi):

    nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/example.com-ssl.conf

     
  3. Turn on OCSP stapling with the following entry:

    SSLUseStapling on

     
  4. Set the number of seconds to wait for an OCSP response from the CA & prevent user error messages:

    SSLStaplingResponderTimeout 5
    SSLStaplingReturnResponderErrors off

     
  5. Point to a full trusted certificate chain file. This must contain all certificates: root, intermediate, and server.

    SSLCACertificateFile /etc/apache2/ssl/full_chain.pem


     
  6. Specify the OCSP cached response location:
    SSLStaplingCache shmcb:/var/run/ocsp(128000)

    Note: This must be placed outside the <VirtualHost> tags or Apache will not start.

    Use the example configuration below as a reference:  

    module.PNG

 

  1. Test your configuration before reloading:
    apachectl -t
     
  2. Restart Apache service if OK:
    service apache2 reload
     
  3. Verify OCSP Stapling is working by checking your domain with GlobalSign's SSL Checker.

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