
In a simple setup, both could be the same device. In the diagram, we capture a device different than the one where the SSLKEYLOGFILE is written. ECDHE Capture SetupĪ typical capture setup would be a SPAN port on a managed switch, a TAP, a firewall, or just capturing directly on the client or server.

We need to capture the ephemeral while they are being used by the browser, server or proxy (TLS inspection device). This is why we can't retroactively export a PEM file from a server and decrypt the TLS traffic. The decryption keys are not permanent but temporary, meaning they change for every connection. However, the big bummer is that you must record the used keys while capturing with Wireshark. You can decrypt this kind of traffic as well. Nowadays, ephemeral Diffie-Hellmann is more prevalent. To decrypt these exchanges, you need to use Wireshark's TLS decryption feature, and you need the server's private key (a *.pem file). The most common type of encryption used with TLS used to be RSA, which can be decrypted using Wireshark's RSA keys list. Finally, decrypting TLS data can also be useful for troubleshooting purposes, as it can help to identify potential problems with TLS configuration or implementation. Additionally, decryption can also help to reveal otherwise hidden information such as the contents of TLS-encrypted application data. For one, it can help to improve the accuracy of packet captures by allowing Wireshark to more accurately identify and decode TLS-encrypted traffic.

TLS data decryption in Wireshark is interesting for a number of reasons.

Additionally, TLS can authenticate both sides of a communication, ensuring that data is not tampered with. When TLS is used, communications are encrypted, making it difficult for anyone to eavesdrop on them. TLS provides a number of benefits, chief among them being confidentiality and integrity of communications. It is used for network troubleshooting, analysis, software and communications protocol development, and education.

Wireshark is a free and open-source packet analyzer. TLS uses a combination of public-key and symmetric-key cryptography, making it ideal for securing communications over the Internet. Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a cryptographic protocol designed to provide communications security over a computer network.
