SSL: Error following the ubuntu.com/server/docs/security-certificates#generating-a-csr

I'm running Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS with the latest upgrade, on a just installed machine.

I'm following the guide to generate a csr. Everything has been fine, until I received an error.

The latest command was sudo openssl ca -in server.csr -config /etc/ssl/openssl.cnf

which returned

Using configuration from /etc/ssl/openssl.cnf
Enter pass phrase for /etc/ssl/private/cakey.pem:
140578226378048:error:02001002:system library:fopen:No such file or directory:../crypto/bio/bss_file.c:69:fopen('server.csr','r')
140578226378048:error:2006D080:BIO routines:BIO_new_file:no such file:../crypto/bio/bss_file.c:76:

I wasn't able to find any suggestion on the internet.

1

1 Answer

Whatever guide you're following is for generating a CSR and signing it with your CA.

In 99% of all cases, that part is not going to be needed.

Instead, you should be referring to the numerous other guides out there (Digital Ocean's guides, etc.) for how to generate a certificate CSR for handing off to a real SSL certificate provider:

openssl req -new -key server.key -out server.csr

That creates the server.csr that you then provide to the certificate authority. GoDaddy, etc. all need the CSR, not the "CA" commands you were running.

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Sign up using Google Sign up using Facebook Sign up using Email and Password Submit

Post as a guest

Post Your Answer Discard

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy