Why Does My Java SSL Handshake Fail When the Server Requests a Client Certificate Signed by a Different CA?

Client Certificate Omission in Java SSL Handshake

Java's behavior during SSL handshakes can sometimes result in the omission of the client certificate, leading to handshake failures. This issue arises when the server requests a client certificate signed by a certain CA (in this case, "RootCA"), and Java only finds a client certificate signed by a subordinate CA ("SubCA") in the Keystore.

Keystore Configuration Considerations:

1. Certificate Chain Breakage: It's possible that importing the "SubCA" certificate into the Keystore may have disrupted the certificate chain, leading the KeyManager to recognize only the client certificate.
2. Certificate Association: The "SubCA" certificate should be associated with the alias that contains the client certificate and its private key in the Keystore. This association can be verified using keytool -v -list -keystore store.jks.

Server Configuration Considerations:

1. Certificate Authority Discrepancy: Ideally, the server should request a client certificate signed by the "SubCA", as that is the trusted authority provided to the client. However, Java's strict adherence to certificate chain verification may lead to handshake failures in this scenario.

Workaround Solution:

To rectify this issue, the client certificate and its certificate chain (including the "SubCA" certificate) should be combined into a single file (e.g., bundle.pem). This bundled PEM file can then be imported into the Keystore alias that holds the client's private key using keytool -importcert -keystore store.jks -alias myalias -file bundle.pem. By doing this, Java will recognize the complete certificate chain and send the appropriate certificate during the SSL handshake.

The above is the detailed content of Why Does My Java SSL Handshake Fail When the Server Requests a Client Certificate Signed by a Different CA?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!