Rust
Rust FIPS 140-3 Implementation with CryptoComply Core
Build and verify Rust applications with a FIPS 140-3 validated cryptographic software foundation—without forcing teams to abandon Rust’s performance, safety, and developer flexibility.
Developer Summary:
Build/link Node.js against the validated OpenSSL-compatible foundation and constrain TLS policies to approved suites/groups.
Standardize on supported OpenSSL-based crates such as rust-openssl or rustls-openssl, point Cargo and build tooling to the CryptoComply OpenSSL installation, enable FIPS mode, and verify that compiled binaries resolve OpenSSL libraries from the validated CryptoComply path.
Use ldd to confirm Rust executable links to /usr/local/lib/libssl.so.3and /usr/local/lib/libcrypto.so.3, not the system OpenSSL libraries.
Validated cryptographic software, repeatable Rust build guidance, example crate integrations, Docker-supported workflows, and evidence artifacts for audit and compliance programs.
Quickstart: Build Rust Applications
with CryptoComply Core
This workflow builds Rust applications from source and links them against SafeLogic’s CryptoComply Core OpenSSL libraries.
The example package supports two Rust crate paths:
rust-opensslrustls-openssl
These examples help teams standardize Rust cryptography on an OpenSSL-compatible, FIPS-validated foundation while preserving Rust’s application-level flexibility.
Prerequisites
Before proceeding, make sure you have:
- Rust toolchain installed via
rustup - CryptoComply Core binaries from the SafeLogic Customer Portal
- Example Rust application source trees
- Build dependencies including:
- C/C++ compiler toolchain
pkg-configcurlperlgitwget- CA certificates
- Docker, optional, for automated build and test workflows
Example source layout:
/app/
├── crate-openssl/
│ ├── Cargo.toml
│ └── src/
│ └── main.rs
└── crate-rustls-openssl/
├── Cargo.toml
└── src/
└── main.rs
For Debian-based systems:
apt-get update apt-get install -y wget git build-essential ca-certificates curl pkg-config perl
Set Environment Variables
Point Rust, Cargo, openssl-sys, and pkg-config to the CryptoComply OpenSSL installation instead of the system OpenSSL defaults.
export OPENSSL_DIR=/usr/local export OPENSSL_LIB_DIR=/usr/local/lib export OPENSSL_INCLUDE_DIR=/usr/local/include export PKG_CONFIG_PATH=/usr/local/lib/pkgconfig export OPENSSL_CONF=/usr/local/ssl/openssl.cnf export OPENSSL_MODULES=/usr/local/lib/ossl-modules export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/local/lib
These variables ensure that Rust build scripts and runtime linking resolve the CryptoComply-provided OpenSSL headers, libraries, configuration, and provider modules.
Update the Dynamic Linker
Configure the system dynamic linker so the runtime loader can locate the CryptoComply OpenSSL libraries.
export OPENSSL_CONF=/usr/local/ssl/openssl.cnf echo "/usr/local/lib" > /etc/ld.so.conf.d/openssl.conf ldconfig
Verify the build
Basic checks
nginx -v nginx -t
The automated build flow also includes an enable-fips.sh helper intended to enable FIPS mode before the Rust crate examples are verified.
Build rust-openssl
The first example builds a Rust application using the rust-openssl crate.
cargo build --release --manifest-path /app/crate-openssl/Cargo.toml
Verify that the resulting executable links to CryptoComply OpenSSL:
ldd /app/crate-openssl/target/release/cc-crate-openssl | grep /usr/local/lib
The expected output should show OpenSSL libraries resolving from /usr/local/lib, for example:
libssl.so.3 => /usr/local/lib/libssl.so.3 libcrypto.so.3 => /usr/local/lib/libcrypto.so.3
Build rustls-openssl
The second example builds a Rust application using the rustls-openssl crate while relying on the same CryptoComply installation.
cargo build --release --manifest-path /app/crate-rustls-openssl/Cargo.toml
Verify linkage:
ldd /app/crate-rustls-openssl/target/release/cc-rustls-openssl | grep /usr/local/lib
Expected output should again confirm that the executable resolves OpenSSL libraries from /usr/local/lib.
Want the Automated Scripts?
SafeLogic’s portal-delivered Rust use case package includes OS-specific automated scripts that install dependencies, configure the Rust/OpenSSL build environment, enable FIPS mode, and build both crate examples for Debian- and RHEL-based systems.
Technical Overview
Validated cryptographic foundation, crate governance, and build evidence
Note: TLS is negotiated. Node.js may use different cipher suites and groups depending on peer support and configuration. This table reflects what regulated programs commonly require teams to constrain or enforce.
Component / Area
Default Behavior in Rust
SafeLogic-Approved Approach
Notes / Compliance Impact
Cryptographic Foundation
Rust applications select crypto through external crates
Standardize on OpenSSL-based crates linked to CryptoComply Core
Creates a consistent validated cryptographic foundation
Crate Selection
Teams may choose native Rust crypto, OpenSSL wrappers, or alternate TLS stacks
Use supported OpenSSL-linked crates such as rust-openssl and rustls-openssl
Helps prevent applications from bypassing approved cryptographic boundaries
Build Configuration
Cargo may discover system OpenSSL by default
Set OPENSSL_DIR, OPENSSL_LIB_DIR, OPENSSL_INCLUDE_DIR, PKG_CONFIG_PATH, and runtime linker paths
Ensures builds use CryptoComply OpenSSL rather than system OpenSSL
FIPS Mode
Not enforced by Rust itself
Use CryptoComply OpenSSL configuration and provider modules
Enables policy-driven operation through the validated cryptographic backend
Verification
Linkage may be assumed but not proven
Use ldd to confirm binaries resolve libssl and libcrypto from /usr/local/lib
Provides concrete build evidence
Audit Readiness
Dependency behavior may vary by project
Use validation artifacts, repeatable build scripts, and configuration guidance
Supports evidence collection for regulated environments
The Compliance Gap with
Standard Rust Cryptography
Rust is widely used for secure, high-performance systems, including infrastructure services, backend systems, security tooling, cloud-native environments, and embedded applications. Its memory safety and concurrency guarantees make it attractive for sensitive and mission-critical workloads.
But Rust does not provide a single built-in cryptographic implementation. Instead, cryptography is introduced through external crates. Developers may choose OpenSSL-based crates, native Rust cryptographic libraries, BoringSSL, AWS-LC, or other TLS and crypto stacks.
That flexibility creates a compliance challenge: FIPS 140 requirements apply to the underlying cryptographic implementation, not to the Rust language itself. If a Rust application uses cryptography outside a validated boundary, the organization may have difficulty proving compliance during audits, procurement reviews, or regulated deployments.
Access, Rollout, and Evidence
How Customers Access it
Customers access required build artifacts through SafeLogic’s Customer Portal and integrate them into internal artifact repositories and CI/CD pipelines.
Delivery Formats
Pre-built artifacts and/or build toolchain integration (based on workflow)
Supported platforms (OS/architectures)
Portal-provided builds across operating systems and CPU architectures (customers see what they're licensed for)
Selecting the Right Build
Locate artifacts by product/version/operating system/architecture and pull into internal repositories/pipelines
Need the exact OS/architecture matrix for your environment?
Typical Rollout
Proof of Concept
Identify Rust applications that perform cryptographic operations, determine whether they use OpenSSL-based crates, and confirm target platforms.
Integration
Configure Cargo and build tooling to link against CryptoComply Core. Build the rust-openssl and/or rustls-openssl examples.
Verification
Confirm runtime linkage using ldd, verify CryptoComply OpenSSL library paths, and validate FIPS configuration.
Production
Integrate the workflow into standard build pipelines, container images, deployment processes, and audit evidence collection.
Evidence for Auditors
- Validation artifacts for the underlying validated cryptographic software (as applicable)
- Build provenance and repeatable build details, including Rust crate versions, CryptoComply/OpenSSL versions, and linkage verification
- Configuration/operation guidance aligned to your program requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
(Rust + FIPS)
Does Rust include FIPS-validated cryptography by default?
No. Rust does not provide a built-in cryptographic implementation or enforce a single cryptographic standard. Cryptography is introduced through dependencies, which means FIPS alignment depends on the crates selected and the cryptographic libraries they use.
Which Rust crates are supported in this workflow?
The provided Rust integration guide includes examples for rust-openssl and rustls-openssl. Both examples are built against the same CryptoComply Core OpenSSL installation.
What about native Rust cryptographic libraries?
Native Rust crypto libraries may offer portability and performance benefits, but they often do not rely on OpenSSL and therefore cannot automatically leverage OpenSSL-based FIPS-validated modules. SafeLogic recommends defining approved cryptographic libraries and auditing dependencies that bypass validated modules.
How do we verify the Rust binary is using CryptoComply OpenSSL?
Use ldd against the compiled Rust executable and confirm that libssl.so.3 and libcrypto.so.3 resolve from /usr/local/lib, not the system OpenSSL path.
Do developers need to rewrite Rust applications?
Not necessarily. For applications already using OpenSSL-based crates, the primary work is build configuration, dependency governance, FIPS enablement, and verification. Applications that use non-OpenSSL cryptographic libraries may require changes to dependencies or additional review.
Can this be automated?
Yes. The use case package includes automated build scripts for Debian-based and RHEL-based systems, plus an enable-fips.sh helper. These scripts perform the same operations described in the manual workflow.
Ready to Bring FIPS-Validated
Cryptography to Rust Applications?
Get guidance on supported Rust crate paths, validated cryptographic integration, and the evidence your program requires. Call us at 844.436.2797 or complete the form below.
