caedit

caedit is a term encountered in computer security to denote a command-line utility or software library intended to edit data stored about certificate authorities (CAs) within public key infrastructure (PKI) systems. Depending on the deployment, caedit may refer to a specific open-source project, a module in a commercial security suite, or a generic name for tools that manage CA stores, certificates, and policy attributes.

Typical tasks performed by caedit tools include adding or revoking certificates, updating CA metadata such as validity periods and trust policies, and reorganizing CA hierarchies. They are designed to operate on CA databases or stores while providing validation, rollback, and audit capabilities to safeguard the integrity of the PKI.

Common features across implementations are a command-line interface or programmatic API, support for batch operations, dry-run modes, and input formats such as JSON or YAML. Many caedit tools integrate with configuration management systems and require elevated privileges due to the sensitive nature of CA data. Security considerations emphasize access control, change auditing, and back-ups.

Because 'caedit' is not a single, standardized project, its exact capabilities and syntax vary between implementations. Users typically consult vendor or project documentation to learn the supported commands, data models, and compatibility with certificate formats (for example X.509) and revocation mechanisms (CRLs or OCSP).