---
stage: Systems
group: Distribution
info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/product/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
---

# Signing outgoing email with S/MIME **(FREE SELF)**

Notification emails sent by GitLab can be signed with S/MIME for improved
security.

Be aware that S/MIME certificates and TLS/SSL certificates are not the
same and are used for different purposes: TLS creates a secure channel, whereas
S/MIME signs and/or encrypts the message itself

## Enable S/MIME signing

This setting must be explicitly enabled and a single pair of key and certificate
files must be provided:

- Both files must be PEM-encoded.
- The key file must be unencrypted so that GitLab can read it without user
  intervention.
- Only RSA keys are supported.

Optionally, you can also provide a bundle of CA certs (PEM-encoded) to be
included on each signature. This is typically an intermediate CA.

WARNING:
Be mindful of the access levels for your private keys and visibility to
third parties.

For Linux package installations:

1. Edit `/etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb` and adapt the file paths:

   ```ruby
   gitlab_rails['gitlab_email_smime_enabled'] = true
   gitlab_rails['gitlab_email_smime_key_file'] = '/etc/gitlab/ssl/gitlab_smime.key'
   gitlab_rails['gitlab_email_smime_cert_file'] = '/etc/gitlab/ssl/gitlab_smime.crt'
   # Optional
   gitlab_rails['gitlab_email_smime_ca_certs_file'] = '/etc/gitlab/ssl/gitlab_smime_cas.crt'
   ```

1. Save the file and [reconfigure GitLab](restart_gitlab.md#reconfigure-a-linux-package-installation) for the changes to take effect.

The key must be readable by the GitLab system user (`git` by default).

For self-compiled installations:

1. Edit `config/gitlab.yml`:

   ```yaml
   email_smime:
     # Uncomment and set to true if you need to enable email S/MIME signing (default: false)
     enabled: true
     # S/MIME private key file in PEM format, unencrypted
     # Default is '.gitlab_smime_key' relative to Rails.root (i.e. root of the GitLab app).
     key_file: /etc/pki/smime/private/gitlab.key
     # S/MIME public certificate key in PEM format, will be attached to signed messages
     # Default is '.gitlab_smime_cert' relative to Rails.root (i.e. root of the GitLab app).
     cert_file: /etc/pki/smime/certs/gitlab.crt
     # S/MIME extra CA public certificates in PEM format, will be attached to signed messages
     # Optional
     ca_certs_file: /etc/pki/smime/certs/gitlab_cas.crt
   ```

1. Save the file and [restart GitLab](restart_gitlab.md#self-compiled-installations) for the changes to take effect.

The key must be readable by the GitLab system user (`git` by default).

### How to convert S/MIME PKCS #12 format to PEM encoding

Typically S/MIME certificates are handled in binary Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS) #12 format
(`.pfx` or `.p12` extensions), which contain the following in a single encrypted file:

- Public certificate
- Intermediate certificates (if any)
- Private key

To export the required files in PEM encoding from the PKCS #12 file, the
`openssl` command can be used:

```shell
#-- Extract private key in PEM encoding (no password, unencrypted)
$ openssl pkcs12 -in gitlab.p12 -nocerts -nodes -out gitlab.key

#-- Extract certificates in PEM encoding (full certs chain including CA)
$ openssl pkcs12 -in gitlab.p12 -nokeys -out gitlab.crt
```