Certificate Authorities (CAs) should not rely solely on linters as their primary defense against certificate misissuance. While linters serve as valuable tools for certificate validation, they have inherent limitations that make them insufficient as a complete solution.

Key Points About Linters:

• Linters are automated tools that perform objective checks on certificates to verify compliance with specific requirements
• Popular open-source linters include ZLint and Pkilint
• They can be used both pre-issuance and post-issuance to detect errors

Limitations of Linters:

• No single linter covers all possible requirements
• Open-source linters may lag behind new requirement updates
• They are created by volunteers who maintain them alongside day jobs
• Gaps in coverage are inevitable due to their nature

Best Practices for CAs:

1. Use linters as part of a broader validation process, not the sole method
2. Maintain internal expertise about certificate requirements
3. Don't blame linters for misissuance - it's not a valid root cause
4. Contribute to open-source linter projects when gaps are identified

The Role of AI:

• AI is not well-suited for certificate validation
• Certificate validation requires deterministic checking against codified rules
• AI works better for tasks requiring judgment, not absolute compliance

CAs must recognize that while linters are valuable tools, they cannot replace comprehensive understanding of certificate requirements and proper validation processes. Successful certificate issuance requires multiple layers of verification beyond just linter checks.

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