Why Does Java Fail to Send Client Certificates During SSL Handshakes?

Java's Mysterious Omission of Client Certificates During SSL Handshakes

Despite configuring keystore and truststore settings correctly, many developers encounter SSL handshake failures due to Java's peculiar behavior. Specifically, Java fails to transmit client certificates to the server during the handshake.

Unveiling the Issue:

1. Misinterpretation of Server's Request: The server requests a client certificate (signed by RootCA), but Java only searches its keystore, ignoring a matching certificate (signed by SubCA) present in the truststore.
2. KeyManager's Overzealousness: The Java KeyManager selectively retrieves the client certificate from the keystore, overlooking all others, even if they complete the certificate chain.
3. Handshake Failure Ensues: Java erroneously concludes that no applicable certificates are available and abandons the handshake, resulting in a frustrating failure.

Possible Explanations:

• Improperly importing the intermediate CA certificate into the keystore, disrupting the certificate chain.
• Server misconfiguration, requiring a certificate signed by SubCA rather than the provided RootCA certificate.

A Temporary Workaround:

To address this issue, one can create a bundle.pem file containing the client certificate, intermediate CA certificate, and potentially the root CA certificate. This bundle is then imported into the keystore alias containing the private key, ensuring that Java recognizes the complete certificate chain during SSL handshakes.

However, this workaround remains an unsatisfactory solution, and a formal clarification from the Java development team or resolution in future versions is highly desirable.

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