GoDaddy SSL Cert Not Working With Java
Solution 1:
UPDATE 1/26/2015 -- It appears the most recent JRE/JDK for Java 8 (update >= 31) and JRE/JDK for Java 7 now include the Godaddy G2 CA server in the default trust store. If possible, it's urged you upgrade your JRE/JDK to the latest Java 8 update to resolve this issue.
UPDATE 11/29/2014 -- This is still a problem, and Godaddy appears to not care nor will do anything about it. There is a blog post[here][1]by Godaddy VP of Security Products from several months ago saying a fix was on it's way and provided a temporary work-around, but as-of today nothing has changed. It is important to note that Godaddy's G2 CA server has been around for a minimum of 5 years, and in that time Godaddy has not taken the proper steps to resolve this known issue. The work-around provided is just that, a work-around, not a solution. Users of 3rd party services have zero control over how the cert is installed on the server.
It seems users should avoid purchasing Godaddy SSL certs until they get serious about being a CA.
Here is their SSL team's contact info if you feel inclined to call:
GoDaddy SSL Team Support Number: 1-480-505-8852 -- Email: [email protected]
UPDATE 9/17/2014 -- This is still a problem, and Godaddy appears to not care nor will do anything about it. Come November when Google deprecates all SHA-1 certs, this will become a major issue. I highly recommend anyone who can contact Godaddy and point them here.
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My initial post/question was regarding why my chain was not working. It became obvious I had a bad setup (which was quickly fixed with some advice from @Bruno and others - thanks). However, when my corrected chain still did not work with Java, it became apparent there was a much bigger problem lurking. It took a while, but the problem is actually with GoDaddy.
This actually is indeed a GoDaddy problem (I've had lengthy support emails with them).
They have 2 CA servers, one called Class 2 CA and the other called G2 CA. Their Class 2 CA signs all SHA-1 certificates, while the G2 CA signs all their SHA-2 certificates.
This is where the problem lies - GoDaddy has not added their newer G2 CA server to the default Java truststore/keystore - causing default Java installations to not trust it's authority, and hence, does not trust your chained certificate.
The work-around until GoDaddy adds the G2 CA server to the default truststore/keystore is to simply rekey your cert using SHA-1 as-to get a cert signed by the Class 2 CA server. Rekeying is free for GoDaddy customers until your cert expires (obviously).
Once you have a SHA-1 cert signed by the Class 2 CA server, your trust chain should work as expected and no custom truststore/keystore imports and/or setup is required.
It does not make me happy that I must use a "weaker" cert in order to get it to work properly, and discussions with GoDaddy via email support thus far have indicated they have no current plans to add the G2 CA server to the default truststore/keystore. I guess until they do add it, make sure you get a SHA-1 Class 2 CA server signed cert if you plan to work with Java.
Solution 2:
Mr. Fixer and Wayne Thayer's answers have been downvoted, but they are actually advocating the correct work-arounds. In fact, Wayne Thayer leads GoDaddy's SSL business, so he probably knows. You should install the "GoDaddy G1 to G2 Cross" certificate in your certificate chain along with the intermediate certificate.
Downgrading to SHA1 is not an ideal option since it's being deprecated and will cause you more work in the future. Fortunately, GoDaddy has provided a crossover certificate that solves this problem. They posted instructions, which Wayne has duplicated, and they're buried in the comments here.
I have personally tested this solution with a SHA2 cert, and it works well. It's a far superior solution vs. re-keying and downgrading to SHA1. When SHA2 becomes required, this option won't be available anyway, and there might still be Java toolchains out there without the new certificate.
According to GoDaddy support, as of July 2014, the correct root certificate was included in recent versions of Java 8, and in September 2014, Wayne Thayer of GoDaddy also said that the certificate "is scheduled to be added to Java in the next few months". I have checked the cacerts file in Java 8 for Mac OS downloaded from here, and it does indeed contain the SHA2 root certificate.
So instead of your chain looking like this:
- Go Daddy Root Certificate Authority – G2: (SHA-2) – Hash 47 BE AB C9 22 EA E8 0E 78 78 34 62 A7 9F 45 C2 54 FD E6 8B. This is the root certificate that’s built into some systems (e.g. Chrome). SnakeDoc claims that "it's not built into Java, Windows CE, Microsoft Exchange, and more platforms".
- Go Daddy Secure Certificate Authority – G2: (SHA-2) – Hash 27 AC 93 69 FA F2 52 07 BB 26 27 CE FA CC BE 4E F9 C3 19 B8
- Your SHA2 certificate
It should look like this:
- Go Daddy Class 2 Certification Authority: (SHA-1) – Hash 27 96 BA E6 3F 18 01 E2 77 26 1B A0 D7 77 70 02 8F 20 EE E4. This is the old root certificate that’s built into most systems, including java.
- Go Daddy Root Certificate Authority – G2: (SHA-2) – Hash 34 0B 28 80 F4 46 FC C0 4E 59 ED 33 F5 2B 3D 08 D6 24 29 64. This is the so-called “GoDaddy G1 to G2 Cross Certificate”.
- Go Daddy Secure Certificate Authority – G2: (SHA-2) – Hash 27 AC 93 69 FA F2 52 07 BB 26 27 CE FA CC BE 4E F9 C3 19 B8
- Your SHA-2 Certificate
See also - my blog post summarizing this issue with work-arounds.