Description

This issue proposes integrating AutoTLS into py-libp2p to automate TLS certificate management and improve security for encrypted connections. AutoTLS will provide automatic certificate provisioning, renewal, and validation, reducing manual configuration efforts while ensuring robust encryption.

Motivation

Currently, py-libp2p does not include automated TLS management, requiring users to manually configure certificates for secure communication. This leads to challenges such as:

• Operational Complexity: Manual certificate issuance and renewal.

• Security Risks: Potential certificate misconfiguration or expiration.

• Developer Experience: Lack of built-in automation makes it harder to deploy secure libp2p nodes.

Other libp2p implementations already support automated TLS:

• go-libp2p: Uses libp2p-tls for secure connections and integrates with automated certificate management.

• js-libp2p: Supports TLS 1.3 transport with modular security providers.

By integrating AutoTLS into py-libp2p, we align with these implementations and ensure parity across different libp2p languages.

Current Implementation

Proposed Enhancements

• Automatic Certificate Issuance & Renewal

• Use Let’s Encrypt (ACME protocol) or an alternative automated certificate provider.

• Implement an automated renewal mechanism to prevent expired certificates.

• Ensure proper error handling and logging for debugging failed renewals.

AutoTLS Integration into py-libp2p

• Modify TLS transport to support automated certificate provisioning.

• Ensure compatibility with existing security modules (TLS1.3, Noise).

• Provide a toggle flag (enable_autotls=True/False) for optional activation.

Configuration & Deployment

• Support a default AutoTLS provider, with configuration options for custom ACME servers.

• Implement lightweight caching to minimize performance overhead.

• Add documentation and examples for developers.

Expected Impact

• Improved Security: Ensures all libp2p connections are TLS-encrypted without manual intervention.

• Developer Convenience: Reduces setup complexity, making secure libp2p nodes easier to deploy.

• Automated Management: Certificates are issued and renewed automatically, minimizing operational overhead.

References & Related Work

• go-libp2p-tls – Secure transport using TLS.

• js-libp2p-tls – TLS implementation example in JavaScript libp2p.

• CertMagic – Automated certificate management for Go.

• ACME protocol – Used by Let’s Encrypt for automated certificate provisioning.

Next Steps

• Gather feedback from py-libp2p maintainers and contributors.

• Evaluate potential dependencies like Certbot, CertMagic, or an internal ACME client.

• Develop a prototype and open a PR for review.

Are you planning to do it yourself in a pull request ?

Maybe