PKIX path building failed (Java)
Java SSLException "PKIX path building failed: unable to find valid certification path to requested target" — Java cannot build the trust chain. JVM truststore ($JAVA_HOME/lib/security/cacerts) lacks the server's CA or intermediate. Fixes: (1) keytool -import into cacerts, (2) -Djavax.net.ssl.trustStore for an alternate truststore, (3) -Djavax.net.debug=ssl,handshake for diagnostics.
Below: details, example, related, FAQ.
Details
- Default truststore: $JAVA_HOME/lib/security/cacerts, password "changeit"
- JDK 8u101+ knows Let's Encrypt ISRG Root X1; older — does not
- keytool -list -v -keystore cacerts — shows all trusted CAs
- Per-app truststore: -Djavax.net.ssl.trustStore=/path/to/custom.jks
- -Djavax.net.debug=ssl:handshake:verbose — full TLS debug
Example
# Download CA cert from server
$ echo | openssl s_client -connect server:443 -showcerts 2>/dev/null | \
openssl x509 -out server-ca.crt
# Import into Java cacerts
$ sudo /bin/keytool -import \
-alias server-ca \
-keystore /lib/security/cacerts \
-storepass changeit \
-file server-ca.crt
# Debug app
$ java -Djavax.net.debug=ssl:handshake MyAppRelated
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Sign up freeFrequently Asked Questions
How to avoid editing the system cacerts?
Copy into an app-specific jks + -Djavax.net.ssl.trustStore. JDK updates won't reset it.
Self-signed dev/test?
For dev: a TrustManager that accepts everything. Never ship that in prod code.
Maven / Gradle?
-Djavax.net.ssl.trustStore in MAVEN_OPTS / GRADLE_OPTS, or <jvmArgs> in the build files.