Fingerprint SSH public keys

Before you begin

• Python 3.12 or later.
• A plain OpenSSH public key file. Never provide a private key.

Set up your example

1. Save as security-ssh-public-key-fingerprints.py.
2. Open a terminal in its folder.
3. Run python "security-ssh-public-key-fingerprints.py" --help and prepare the listed input files.

This recipe uses your own local input or creates its own example output. Follow the setup steps below.

Download the ZIP, extract it, and open a terminal inside the extracted folder. The source file is security-ssh-public-key-fingerprints.py.

Run the script

python "security-ssh-public-key-fingerprints.py" "id_ed25519.pub"

If your system uses python3 instead of python, use that command for Python examples. Keep paths containing spaces in quotes. Required inputs and optional settings are described in the code and setup steps.

What to expect

The complete script

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""Print SHA-256 fingerprints for OpenSSH public key lines without showing comments or key bytes."""
import argparse
import sys
import json
from pathlib import Path
import base64
import hashlib

def main():
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Print SHA-256 fingerprints for OpenSSH public key lines without showing comments or key bytes.')
    parser.add_argument('public_keys',type=Path)
    args = parser.parse_args()
    for number,line in enumerate(args.public_keys.read_text(encoding='utf-8').splitlines(),1):
        parts=line.strip().split()
        if not parts or parts[0].startswith('#'):continue
        if len(parts)<2 or not parts[0].startswith(('ssh-','ecdsa-','sk-')):raise ValueError(f'Line {number}: expected plain OpenSSH public-key format')
        blob=base64.b64decode(parts[1],validate=True)
        digest=base64.b64encode(hashlib.sha256(blob).digest()).decode().rstrip('=')
        print(json.dumps({'line':number,'type':parts[0],'fingerprint':'SHA256:'+digest}))

if __name__ == '__main__':
    try:
        main()
    except (OSError, ValueError, RuntimeError) as exc:
        print(f'Error: {exc}', file=sys.stderr)
        sys.exit(1)

Open source as plain text · Download source and sample files

How it works

1. Print SHA-256 fingerprints for OpenSSH public key lines without showing comments or key bytes.
2. Arguments are explicit and expected input errors produce a message with a nonzero exit code.
3. Results reflect your selected local data or the specific endpoint you choose; the example illustrates the result shape.

Make it your own

Adapt the task

Use a .pub file or plain one-key-per-line file. authorized_keys options are not accepted by this parser.

Adjust presentation

Edit final print statements or json.dumps indentation to adjust the report layout. Keep input validation and exclusive-create file modes intact.

Change one setting at a time, run it again on sample data, and compare the output. The customization guide walks through this process.

If something goes wrong

Reference & next steps

• Python standard library documentation ↗

These official references explain the underlying tools. The Scriptage example and guide are original instructional content. See verification notes for what has been checked and the limits of those checks.

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