Unauthorized access was denied or security settings have expired javax.net.ssl.SSLException: certificate_unknown when creating MobileFirst runtime

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07-10-2024

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"certificate_unknown" Error in MobileFirst Runtime: Demystifying the SSL Exception

Problem: You're attempting to create a MobileFirst runtime environment, but you encounter an error message "javax.net.ssl.SSLException: certificate_unknown" indicating unauthorized access or expired security settings.

Rephrased: When trying to set up a MobileFirst environment, you're hitting a wall because your server can't verify the security certificate used for communication.

Scenario:

Let's say you're building a MobileFirst application and you're using the Worklight Studio (or its successor, MobileFirst Studio) to create the runtime environment. You execute the process, but it fails, displaying this error:

javax.net.ssl.SSLException: certificate_unknown

Analysis and Clarification:

This "certificate_unknown" error is usually tied to SSL/TLS certificate issues. Here's a breakdown of potential causes:

• Self-signed or Untrusted Certificate: The server you're connecting to uses a self-signed certificate, which isn't recognized by the client (your development environment). This is common in testing environments but can be a problem when deploying to production.
• Expired Certificate: The certificate used by the server has expired.
• Incorrect Certificate Configuration: The certificate path or alias in your MobileFirst configuration file might be wrong.
• Trust Store Issues: The trust store on the client side (your development environment) might be missing the required certificates or have a configuration error.

Debugging and Resolution:

1. Check Certificate Validity: Use tools like OpenSSL or browser certificate viewers to confirm the certificate is valid and not expired.

2. Trust the Certificate:

   • Self-Signed Certificates: You'll need to manually import the certificate into the trust store of your client (Worklight Studio/MobileFirst Studio). Instructions on how to import certificates vary depending on your operating system and development environment.
   • Untrusted Certificates: Import the certificate from a trusted authority (e.g., Let's Encrypt, Comodo, DigiCert).

3. Verify Certificate Configuration:

   • MobileFirst Configuration File: Ensure the certificate path and alias (if applicable) are correctly configured in the MobileFirst configuration file (worklight.properties or its equivalent).
   • Server Configuration: Check the server's configuration file (e.g., server.xml for Apache Tomcat) for the certificate path, alias, and any related SSL/TLS settings.

4. Trust Store Management:

   • Client Trust Store: Verify that the client's trust store is properly configured and contains the necessary certificates for the server you're connecting to.
   • Server Trust Store: Confirm that the server's trust store is configured correctly and contains the certificates for any servers you're connecting to from the server.

Additional Tips:

• Troubleshooting Tools: Leverage tools like Wireshark or Fiddler to inspect the network traffic and understand the SSL handshake process.
• Log Analysis: Carefully review the MobileFirst and server logs for further clues and error messages.
• Documentation: Refer to the MobileFirst documentation for details on configuration, certificate management, and best practices for SSL/TLS security.

References:

• IBM MobileFirst Platform Foundation Developer Center
• IBM MobileFirst Platform Foundation Documentation
• OpenSSL Documentation

Remember: Security is paramount. It's best to use certificates from trusted authorities (like Let's Encrypt) and avoid self-signed certificates in production environments.

By following these steps and consulting the relevant documentation, you can resolve the "certificate_unknown" error and successfully create your MobileFirst runtime environment.