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How to get 2FA on the command lineHow to get 2FA on the command line

Getting Time-based One-Time-Password for 2FA on the command line.

AbstractAbstract

This HOW-TO has been succesfully tested on Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS so let's assume you have a similar setup.

There is no shortage of OTP 2FA apps availiable for your phone, such as Authy , FreeOTP or even the not so recommended Google Authenticator.

These apps take an initial secret code and create a TOTP anytime you need a 2FA code for login.

Some advantages of doing 2FA on the CLI are:

1. Easy to add, maintain, and backup with a simple key=val text file
2. Copy/Paste is easier than typing digits displayed on your phone
3. No issues with being locked out due to dead/lost/new phones

InstallationInstallation

Make sure you're logged in as a regular user (not as root).

Install the two utility with:

sudo apt install oathtool gpg

We'll use a helper script as well as a file of initial secrets encrypted with GnuPG for better security.

sudo touch /usr/local/bin/totp

and, with your editor of choice, put the content below on the file and save it.

#!/bin/bash
# 
# Time-based One-time Password algorithm (TOTP) helper script
# Save shared secrets on disk protected with GnuPG encryption
# Easily generate OTPs for two-factor authorization (2FA)
#
# Setup:
# Install requirements with `sudo apt install oathtool gpg`
# Setup gpg as per https://keyring.debian.org/creating-key.html
#
# Adapt the 3 variables below:
# - KEYFILE: file that holds the name/key pairs
# - UID: GnuPG user ID to use for encryption
# - KEYID: GnuPG key ID to use for encryption
#
# Good to know:
# - get gpg keys with: gpg --list-keys --keyid-format short user@example.com
#
# - the $KEYFILE itself is in clear and has the format:
#     aws=hQIMAxevVAas6A+AAQ//cJL/v3O6CCurdzVkCk5yEGa6sZgWWw6AkH/QenVmTSj...
#     twitter=hQIMAxevVAas6A+AAQ/9H8h0yde7zErfF/8qwohD5Zw7q85FlI+IIFC1Kk5Ifpw...
#     github=hQIMAxevVAas6A+AARAAm8T//mqNyBEz4Y/HGGlNgFUzk8vOaylMdE/TbDzVI...
#
# - the shared secrets are stored encrypted with gpg then base64-ed
# - keys are never deleted, only appended
# - the last available key for the chosen service is used
# - to restore the previous key, manually delete the last key from $KEYFILE
#
# Authors:
# - https://www.sendthemtomir.com/blog/cli-2-factor-authentication and
# - https://karl-voit.at/2019/03/03/oathtool-otp/, Karl Voit, tools@Karl-Voit.at
# - Paolo Greppi, paolo.greppi@libpf.com
# LICENSE: GPLv3

set -e

KEYFILE="$HOME/.totpkeys"
UID="user@example.com"
KEYID="9E2A4CEF"

if [ -z "$1" ]; then
  echo
  echo "Usage:"
  echo "   totp list"
  echo "   totp get google"
  echo "   totp set google QUBAYAYXV5KANLHI"
  exit
fi

if [ "$1" = 'list' ]; then
   KEYS=$(sed 's/^\([^=]*\)=.*$/- \1/g' "$KEYFILE")
   echo "Available keys:"
   echo "$KEYS"
   exit
fi

if [ "$1" = 'get' ]; then
  if [ -z "$2" ]; then
    echo "$0: Missing service name"
    $0
    exit
  fi
  TOTPKEY=$(sed -n "s/${2}=//p" "$KEYFILE" | tail -n 1)
  if [ -z "$TOTPKEY" ]; then
    echo "$0: Bad Service Name '$2'"
    $0
    exit
  fi
  TOTPKEY=$(echo "$TOTPKEY" | base64 -d | gpg --decrypt -r "$UID" -u "$KEYID" 2> /dev/null)
  oathtool --totp -b "$TOTPKEY"
  exit
fi

if [ "$1" = 'set' ]; then
  if [ -z "$2" ]; then
    echo "$0: Missing service name"
    $0
    exit
  fi
  if [ -z "$3" ]; then
    echo "$0: Missing key"
    $0
    exit
  fi
  oathtool --totp -b "$3" > /dev/null # verify secret
  TOTPKEY=$(echo "$3" | gpg --encrypt -r "$UID" -u "$KEYID" | base64 -w0)
  echo "$2=$TOTPKEY" >> "$KEYFILE"
  exit
fi

echo "Command $1 unknown"
$0

Make it executable with :

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/totp

If all went well, we can get a 2FA code on command line with:

$ totp twitter
078321

That's all folks.That's all folks.

Now you have a Time-based One-Time-Password for 2FA on the command line. Enjoy !!