[AIX Solaris HP-UX Linux Windows]

Errors configuring SSL encrypted access for security

You might have errors returned when you are trying to configure Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) for encrypted access. Some of the common errors you might encounter and suggestions on how to fix the problems are described.

What kind of error are you seeing?

If you do not see a problem that resembles yours, or if the information provided does not solve your problem, see Troubleshooting help from IBM for further assistance.

The Java Cryptographic Extension (JCE) files were not found. error when launching iKeyman

You might receive the following error when you attempt to start the iKeyman tool: 
The Java Cryptographic  Extension (JCE) files were not found. 
Please check that the JCE files have been installed in the correct directory.
When you click OK, the iKeyman tool closes. To resolve this problem:
  • Set the JAVA_HOME parameter so that is points to the Java™ Developer Kit that is shipped with WebSphere® Application Server.

    [AIX HP-UX Solaris]For example, the command is similar to: export JAVA_HOME=/opt/WebSphere/AppServer/java

    [Windows]If WebSphere Application Server is installed on your c: drive, the command would be: set JAVA_HOME=c:\WebSphere\AppServer\java

  • Rename the file install_dir/java/jre/lib/ext/gskikm.jar to gskikm.jar.org.

    [AIX Solaris HP-UX Linux Windows]The file is located in the install_dir/java/jre/lib/ext/ directory.

    By default, the file is located in the following directory: app_server_rootedition_name/java/ext.

Unable to verify MAC. error when the wrong keystore password is used

You might receive the following error when the keystore password is not being used correctly.

CWPKI0033E: The keystore located at "C:/WebSphere/AppServer/profiles/AppSrv01/etc/trust.p12" 
failed to load due to the following error: Unable to verify MAC.

Change the Password field that references this keystore by using the correct password. The default password is WebAS. Never use this password in a production environment.

SSL handshake failure error when no trusted certificate is found

You might receive the following error when you attempt to add the signer to the local truststore: 
CWPKI0022E: SSL HANDSHAKE FAILURE:  A signer with SubjectDN "CN=BIRKT40.austin.ibm.com, 
 O=IBM, C=US" was sent from target host:port "9.65.49.131:9428".

The signer might need to be added to the local truststore C:/WASX_c0602.31/AppServer/profiles/Dmgr09/etc/trust.p12 that is located in the SSL configuration alias DefaultSSLSettings. The truststore is loaded from the SSL configuration file.

The extended error message from the SSL handshake exception is: No trusted certificate found.

This error indicates that the signer certificate from the specified target host and port has not been located in the specified truststore, the SSL settings, and the SSL configuration file. If this occurs in a client process, there are several things that you can do:

  • Enable the signer exchange prompt.
  • Run the retrieveSigners script. For more information, see retrieveSigners command.
  • Manually export the signers from the server and import them to the client.

If this issue occurs in a server process, then complete one of the following procedures:

  • In the administrative console, find the target endpoint (host name and port) and determine the certificate that is used by the SSL configuration associated with it. Extract the SSL certificate to a file, and import it into the sending server truststore that is referenced in the error message.
  • In the administrative console, find the sending server truststore. Go to signer certificates, add from Port, and connect directly to the target host and port, which are indicated in the message, to retrieve the signer directly into the truststore.
  • Manually extract the signer from the target server and host keystore by using the iKeyman utility, and import the signer into the truststore of the server sending the certificate.
Note: As default, Websphere Application Server uses the key.p12 and trust.p12 files for any communication between Websphere Application Servers (for example between nodeagent and appserver or vice versa). If WebSphere Application Server is looking for a certificate in some file other than these, then it is possible that your application establishes the secure socket layer (SSL) configuration by using system properties, established with the System.setProperty() method. That is, SSL configurations are managed for each of your processes, and you have had to maintain individual settings for each SSL configuration in the topology.

Prior to WebSphere Application Server Version 6.1, the WebSphere Application Server management processes allowed the individually-managed SSL configurations which were set by system properties. Your pre-Version 6.1 system properties settings were processed successfully.

With WebSphere Application Server Version 6.1, central management of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) configuration occurs. Applications that use SSL connections based on values set for system properties instead of using the centrally managed default dynamic SSL configuration can experience handshake failures. Nodeagent to appserver communications is being governed by the default dynamic SSL configuration in WebSphere Application Server Version 6.1 and not through the system properties you set. You may need to adjust your application to use the centrally managed SSL configuration of WebSphere Application Server Version 6.1.

The certificate alias cannot be found in the keystore

You might receive the following error when the certificate alias is not found in the referenced keystore:
CWPKI0023E: The certificate alias "default" specified by the property 
com.ibm.ssl.keyStoreClientAlias is not found in KeyStore 
"c:/WebSphere/AppServer/profiles/Dmgr01/config/cells/myCell/key.p12".

This error indicates that the certificate alias that was specified cannot be found in the referenced keystore. Either change the certificate alias or make sure that alias exists in the specified keystore.