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The internet’s backbone relies on secure connections, and at the heart of this security lies the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Google’s Chrome Root Program, launched in 2022, is a testament to the company’s dedication to bolstering these connections. As they put it, the program is focused on “promoting technologies and practices that strengthen the underlying security assurances provided by Transport Layer Security (TLS).” This mission is detailed in their forward-looking roadmap, “Moving Forward, Together,” a vision that aims to enhance web security, speed, stability, and simplicity.
“Moving Forward, Together” outlines key themes, including encouraging modern infrastructures, promoting automation, and preparing for a post-quantum world. These themes are not just abstract ideas; they’re driving concrete changes in the Web PKI ecosystem. Recently, two critical initiatives from this roadmap have been adopted into the CA/Browser Forum Baseline Requirements (BRs), marking a significant step towards a safer internet.
One of the most pressing concerns in web security is the risk of fraudulently issued certificates. Traditionally, Certification Authorities (CAs) verify domain control validation from a single vantage point, leaving them vulnerable to attacks like BGP hijacking. As research from the Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP) at Princeton University has shown, these attacks are not just theoretical; they can lead to substantial financial losses.
To combat this, the Chrome Root Program championed Multi-Perspective Issuance Corroboration (MPIC). This approach mandates that CAs perform domain control validation from multiple geographic locations and/or Internet Service Providers. As the blog post points out, this has been “observed as an effective countermeasure against ethically conducted, real-world BGP hijacks.”
Thanks to the Chrome Root Program’s leadership and the unanimous support of CA/Browser Forum Ballot SC-067, MPIC will become a mandatory practice starting March 15, 2025. This move ensures that CAs, including those utilizing the Open MPIC Project, adhere to robust and consistent security standards.
Another vital initiative is the adoption of linting, an automated process that analyzes X.509 certificates for errors and inconsistencies. Linting plays a crucial role in detecting weak cryptographic algorithms and other insecure practices, thereby enhancing overall security. As the blog post highlights, linting “improves interoperability and helps CAs reduce the risk of non-compliance with industry standards.”
The Chrome Root Program’s ecosystem-wide experiments revealed widespread certificate mis-issuance, prompting the drafting of CA/Browser Forum Ballot SC-075. This ballot, like its MPIC counterpart, received unanimous support, making linting a required practice from March 15, 2025. Tools like certlint, pkilint, and pkimetal are now indispensable for maintaining certificate integrity.
The Chrome Root Program’s commitment to proactive advancement of the Web PKI is evident in their recent policy updates. Notably, they’ve proposed sunsetting weak domain control validation methods, which will be prohibited from July 15, 2025.
As Google states, “It’s essential we all work together to continually improve the Web PKI, and reduce the opportunities for risk and abuse before measurable harm can be realized.” The focus is now shifting towards a reimagined PKI that can withstand the challenges of a post-quantum world. Google promises to share more on this front later this year.
In conclusion, Google’s Chrome Root Program is driving significant improvements in web security through initiatives like MPIC and linting. By fostering collaboration and innovation, they are paving the way for a safer and more robust internet for everyone.
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