How to Serialize PSCredential to XML in C# with Unity

Discover how to effectively serialize `PSCredential` to XML using C# by leveraging the PSSerializer for smooth PowerShell cmdlet integration.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: C# Serialize PSCredential to XML with XmlSerializer

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Serialize PSCredential to XML in C# with Unity

If you're a PowerShell aficionado stepping into the world of C# , you may encounter some hurdles, especially when it comes to handling sensitive data like PSCredential. A common issue many face is successfully serializing PSCredential data into XML format. In this guide, we will explore this problem, explain why it occurs, and present a robust solution that allows you to serialize your PowerShell custom objects seamlessly.

The Problem: PSCredential Serialization

When working with custom objects in C# , particularly those that contain PSCredential properties, you might find that the serialization process using XmlSerializer results in empty fields for the PSCredential properties. This raises a few questions:

What is causing these properties to be empty after serialization?

Is there a way to serialize the secure data correctly without losing information?

Here's a brief overview of our scenario.

Custom Object Structure

You might have a custom object that looks something like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this object, we are trying to serialize the DatabaseCredential and LaneCredential, but they end up being empty in the XML output.

The Cause of the Issue

The challenge arises from the way SecureString—the underlying storage mechanism for the password in PSCredential—is serialized. XmlSerializer is not capable of handling the serialization of SecureString properties properly, resulting in null values when you write the object to an XML file.

The Solution

To overcome this limitation, you can utilize the PSSerializer available in the System.Management.Automation namespace. Here's how to implement it in your C# cmdlet:

Revised Command for Serialization

By modifying your ExportCustomObjectCommand, you can effectively serialize the CustomObject like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Changes Explained

Using PSSerializer: By replacing XmlSerializer with PSSerializer, we gain a powerful tool that knows how to handle PSCredential and other PowerShell-specific objects efficiently.

StreamWriter for Output: We write the serialized string directly into the file using a StreamWriter, ensuring we neatly capture the entire serialized representation.

Conclusion

In summation, serializing PSCredential into XML might initially seem problematic when using XmlSerializer. However, by using the PSSerializer instead, you can swiftly overcome this hurdle. This adjustment will ensure that your credentials remain intact during the serialization process, allowing for secure and reliable PowerShell cmdlet operations.

If you’re embarking on PowerShell and C# integrations, ensure you keep this solution in your toolkit to effectively handle secure credential data. Happy coding!