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Concepts

What is Lnav OpenSSL?

Andrios Robert

• 1 min read

What is Lnav OpenSSL?
Lnav is a terminal-based log file navigator with search, filtering, and real-time monitoring. OpenSSL is the de facto library for TLS/SSL and cryptography. Combined, they let you inspect encrypted data streams inside logs without breaking security controls. You keep raw power over your diagnostics while holding the line on compliance.

Why integrate Lnav and OpenSSL?
Some systems write encrypted strings into logs—session tokens, secure messages, or payload hashes. Normally this requires a separate decrypt step. Lnav can call external helpers, so with OpenSSL installed it can process those values inline. You can pipe, decode, and search without leaving your session. No GUI. No detours. Just immediate context.

How to set up Lnav with OpenSSL support

  1. Install Lnav from your package manager or build from source.
  2. Ensure OpenSSL CLI tools are installed (openssl binary).
  3. Create an Lnav script or external command in the ~/.lnav/scripts directory. It should invoke OpenSSL with the right cipher, key, and options for your encrypted log fields.
  4. Use Lnav’s :pipe-to or :filter-expr to send matching entries through this helper.
  5. Save this workflow so team members can reuse without touching the main configuration.

Performance and security notes
Decryption in place should only be used with strong access controls. Keys must be locked down at the OS level. Avoid writing decrypted output to disk unless required. Lnav’s live session lets you kill the buffer instantly after analysis, keeping confidential data in volatile memory only.

Common pitfalls

  • Wrong cipher or padding mode will break the workflow. Match exactly what the source system used.
  • Large datasets can hit CPU limits; stream only what you need.
  • Make sure OpenSSL’s version matches your environment’s crypto policy.

By using Lnav with OpenSSL, you strip away noise and read logs at their real depth. The encrypted fields become searchable, actionable, and part of your investigative arsenal.

Try it with Hoop.dev and see your Lnav-OpenSSL pipeline live in minutes.