5.2.3. EvseSecurity

This module implements the evse_security interface. It wraps the functionality of the libevse-security to provide access to security-related operations to other Everest modules such as OCPP and ISO15118. These modules require similar security-related operations and shared access to certificates and keys, which this module facilitates.

For detailed information about the provided functionality, please refer to the README within the libevse-security.

5.2.3.1. CA Certificate Domains

The combination of ISO 15118 and OCPP defines several CA certificate domains for charging stations, addressed and covered by this module:

  • V2G root: Trust anchor for ISO 15118 TLS communication between the charging station and the electric vehicle.

  • CSMS root: Trust anchor for TLS communication between the charging station and OCPP CSMS.

  • MF root: Trust anchor of the manufacturer to verify firmware updates.

  • MO root: Trust anchor of the Mobility Operator domain to verify contract certificates.

5.2.3.2. Module Configuration

The following instructions describe how to configure the module parameters mainly for two domains: OCPP communication and ISO 15118 communication.

A lot of configuration parameters specify directory or file paths from which certificates and private keys are loaded or new certificates and keys are written to. Please make sure that these paths are writeable for EVerest.

5.2.3.2.1. Configuration for OCPP

In OCPP and OCPP security profiles, the security level of the connection is specified as follows:

  • SecurityProfile 0: Unsecured transport without basic authentication

  • SecurityProfile 1: Unsecured transport with basic authentication

  • SecurityProfile 2: TLS with basic authentication

  • SecurityProfile 3: TLS with client-side certificates

Only when security profiles 2 or 3 are used, the configuration of this module is relevant for the OCPP communication. In this case, the charging station acts as a TLS client.

The csms_ca_bundle config parameter specifies a path to a file containing trusted CSMS root certificates. The server certificate presented by the CSMS server during the TLS handshake must be signed by one of the trusted root certificates specified in this file.

If new root certificates are installed using the install_ca_certificate command with the CSMS domain specified, the new CA certificate is installed into the specified bundle and used for further validations.

Note: The OCPP modules in EVerest can be configured to also trust the operating system’s default verify paths. The parameter controlling this behavior is UseSslDefaultVerifyPaths. If configured to true, the csms_ca_bundle need not necessarily be configured.

If security profile 3 is used, a mutual TLS (mTLS) connection shall be established, so the CSMS server also verifies the client certificate. The csms_leaf_cert_directory and csms_leaf_key_directory need to be configured for this. These parameters specify the directory of the client certificate and key for the mTLS connection.

New CSMS client certificates can be installed using the update_leaf_certificate command with the CSMS domain specified. In OCPP, new client certificates are installed by using the CertificateSigned.req message.

5.2.3.2.2. Configuration for ISO 15118

For ISO 15118 communication, the charging station provides a server endpoint to which the electric vehicle connects. The communication may be secured using TLS. TLS is mandatory for Plug&Charge. If TLS is used, the correct configuration of the secc_leaf_cert_directory and secc_leaf_key_directory is required. These directories are used to locate the server certificate and key for the ISO 15118 TLS server provided by the charging station.

New V2G client certificates can be installed using the update_leaf_certificate command with the V2G domain specified. In OCPP, new client certificates are installed by using the CertificateSigned.req message.

5.2.3.2.3. Private Key Password

If private keys are generated in the process of generating a certificate signing request (CSR), the private keys are not encrypted with a password. Therefore, no password needs to be configured if all certificates are installed using the generate_certificate_signing_request and update_leaf_certificate commands.

If existing certificates and private keys are to be installed, the private_key_password parameter specifies the password for encrypted private keys. Please note that only one value can be configured for possibly multiple encrypted private keys.

5.2.3.2.4. More about CSMS, V2G, MO and MF Bundles

  • The v2g_ca_bundle is used to verify the installation of SECC leaf certificates using the update_leaf_certificate command.

  • The csms_ca_bundle is used to verify the installation of CSMS leaf certificates using the update_leaf_certificate command.

  • The mo_ca_bundle is used to verify contract certificates provided by the electric vehicle as part of the ISO 15118 Plug & Charge process.

  • The mf_ca_bundle is used to verify firmware update files.

New root certificates can be installed in the specified domain using the install_ca_certificate command.