⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️ Getting asked for a passphrase for a private key, but there is none

[bernd289]

Maintainer note

⚠️ To everyone facing this issue => download WebSSH 27.0.1372 => https://testflight.apple.com/join/QSrBK59z

OR

Download WebSSH 27.0.1372 on your App Store

Issue from bernd289

I use WebSSH 26.7 (latest from AppStore, no Testflight) on both iPad (11'' Pro with m2 Chip) and iPhone (14 Pro), also iCloud syncing is activated, so there should be identical settings.

Currently I'm maintaining a few servers, where I login using ed25519 keys. Login/connecting works fine on the iPad.

But suddenly it asks for a passphrase on iPhone??? - There should be none...

I tried to import the Keys again, sync is working, as I saw them getting removed from both devices and then added again - but still the same thing, iPad is fine, iPhone not...

Also rebooting the iPhone and removing/installing the app again didn't help.

[agnulf]

I have the same problem. Started asking for password on iPhone today. Using WebSSH 26.7.1370.

[adhoc-post]

Same here. And correctly entered passphrases aren‘t accepted. Error message: „Private key cannot be analyzed!“

[isontheline]

Not only ED keys but RSA too

Seems to be related with other things than a WebSSH update, I'm checking with a expired thing inside iOS / macOS Even if you install WebSSH down to 26.x

[isontheline]

I'm actively searching for the root cause and will post an update on TestFlight asap

[isontheline]

To everyone facing this issue => download WebSSH 27.0.1372 => https://testflight.apple.com/join/QSrBK59z

[bernd289]

To everyone facing this issue => download WebSSH 27.0.1372 => https://testflight.apple.com/join/QSrBK59z

Installed on my iPhone, connection to servers is working again. thank you!

[isontheline]

Sorry for all troubles due to an underlying library

[thomaskloiber]

Will this also be fixed for the current version 26.7 or do we need to download the beta?

[isontheline]

Need to download the beta yet, it's stable as only this fix included.

27.0 is under review by Apple and should be available in a few hours

[tbblake]

Fixed for me too, thank you so much for the prompt response!

[isontheline]

@tbblake You're Welcome. Sorry again for any trouble.

[tbblake]

Sorry for all troubles due to an underlying library

May I ask how this happens? I saw no iOS or app update. I'm a long-time Unix/Linux admin and were this a "normal" computer I'd have noted no OS level or app level changes. So it's apparent there's some inner iOS workings that I'm unaware of.

[isontheline]

@tbblake Underlying library was relying on a certificate date expiration, a bug inside the library

[adhoc-post]

Fixed for me. Thanks for the fast resolution! 👍

[bernd289]

Update is live in the AppStore! :)

[isontheline]

Update is live in the AppStore! :)

Thanks to Apple 👍

macOS release is still waiting for review, should happen within hours

[isontheline]

macOS release now available on the App Store

[krptg0]

Hi, I'm on the 27.0.1372 build and still facing the same issue.

[isontheline]

@krptg0 Please share your verbose logs : https://webssh.net/documentation/help/howtos/enabling-verbose-logging/

[krptg0]

[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [INFO] Thank you so much for using WebSSH 27.0.1372 on iOS Version 17.5.1 (Build 21F90) 🙏
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] Launching Data Migration...
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] Checking if settings need to be migrated...
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] Data Migration Done!
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] Launching Vacuum on the local database...
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] 0 objects have been vacuumed
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [VERBOSE] Performing vacuum on old deleted iCloud objects...
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [VERBOSE] Will notify when setting 'WEBSSH_HOME_SCREEN_QUICK_ACTIONS_STRATEGY' will change
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [VERBOSE] Will notify when setting 'WEBSSH_HOME_SCREEN_QUICK_ACTIONS_MASHREPL' will change
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [VERBOSE] Will notify when setting 'WEBSSH_HOME_SCREEN_QUICK_ACTIONS_PING' will change
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [VERBOSE] Will notify when setting 'WEBSSH_HOME_SCREEN_QUICK_ACTIONS_WEBBROWSER' will change
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [VERBOSE] Will notify when setting 'WEBSSH_HOME_SCREEN_QUICK_ACTIONS_FAVORITE_SERVERS' will change
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] Device language : fr
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] Language bundle is not loaded. Will load this bundle : fr
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [VERBOSE] SavedConnectionListViewController::viewDidLoad::SERVER
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [VERBOSE] Will notify when setting 'WEBSSH_SETTING_CONNECTION_LIST_ROW_DETAILS' will change
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] WebSSH should be locked after delay (secs) : 60
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] Application did become active
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] No pin code set. WebSSH won't be locked.
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] Keep device awake because requested by settings
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [DEBUG] Application will resign active
[2024-07-12 18:58:38 +0000] [VERBOSE] No objects to be vacuumed on iCloud.
[2024-07-12 18:58:39 +0000] [VERBOSE] Fetching from iCloud with a change token
[2024-07-12 18:58:39 +0000] [VERBOSE] iCloud data fetched with success.
[2024-07-12 18:58:42 +0000] [DEBUG] Application did become active
[2024-07-12 18:58:42 +0000] [DEBUG] Can't lock WebSSH because delay not elapsed : 3 < 60
[2024-07-12 18:58:42 +0000] [DEBUG] Keep device awake because requested by settings
[2024-07-12 18:58:42 +0000] [VERBOSE] Adding DNS Resolver Address 1.1.1.1 : IPv4 address
[2024-07-12 18:58:42 +0000] [VERBOSE] Adding DNS Resolver Address 8.8.8.8 : IPv4 address
[2024-07-12 18:58:42 +0000] [DEBUG] A custom SSH Config File will overwrite this connection settings : (
    forwardagent
)
[2024-07-12 18:58:42 +0000] [VERBOSE] Want to connect with a Private Key
[2024-07-12 18:58:42 +0000] [DEBUG] Private Key seems to be encrypted because we can't load it as it.
[2024-07-12 18:58:42 +0000] [DEBUG] Private Key is encrypted : 1
[2024-07-12 18:58:51 +0000] [DEBUG] Application will resign active
[2024-07-12 19:03:28 +0000] [VERBOSE] Fetching from iCloud with a change token
[2024-07-12 19:03:29 +0000] [DEBUG] Application did become active
[2024-07-12 19:03:29 +0000] [DEBUG] No pin code set. WebSSH won't be locked.
[2024-07-12 19:03:29 +0000] [DEBUG] Keep device awake because requested by settings
[2024-07-12 19:03:29 +0000] [VERBOSE] iCloud data fetched with success.
[2024-07-12 19:03:38 +0000] [DEBUG] Application will resign active
[2024-07-12 19:04:57 +0000] [VERBOSE] Fetching from iCloud with a change token
[2024-07-12 19:04:57 +0000] [DEBUG] Application did become active
[2024-07-12 19:04:57 +0000] [DEBUG] No pin code set. WebSSH won't be locked.
[2024-07-12 19:04:57 +0000] [DEBUG] Keep device awake because requested by settings
[2024-07-12 19:04:57 +0000] [VERBOSE] iCloud data fetched with success.
[2024-07-12 19:04:58 +0000] [DEBUG] Application will resign active
[2024-07-12 19:05:06 +0000] [DEBUG] Application did become active
[2024-07-12 19:05:06 +0000] [DEBUG] Can't lock WebSSH because delay not elapsed : 7 < 60
[2024-07-12 19:05:06 +0000] [DEBUG] Keep device awake because requested by settings
[2024-07-12 19:05:07 +0000] [DEBUG] Application will resign active
[2024-07-12 19:07:13 +0000] [VERBOSE] Fetching from iCloud with a change token
[2024-07-12 19:07:14 +0000] [DEBUG] Application did become active
[2024-07-12 19:07:14 +0000] [DEBUG] No pin code set. WebSSH won't be locked.
[2024-07-12 19:07:14 +0000] [DEBUG] Keep device awake because requested by settings
[2024-07-12 19:07:14 +0000] [VERBOSE] iCloud data fetched with success.
[2024-07-12 19:07:19 +0000] [DEBUG] A custom SSH Config File will overwrite this connection settings : (
    forwardagent
)
[2024-07-12 19:07:19 +0000] [VERBOSE] Want to connect with a Private Key
[2024-07-12 19:07:19 +0000] [DEBUG] Private Key seems to be encrypted because we can't load it as it.
[2024-07-12 19:07:19 +0000] [DEBUG] Private Key is encrypted : 1

Sorry for the uneven formatting I'm on mobile.

Key is of course not encrypted.

[isontheline]

@krptg0 Are you able to generate a new private key from inside WebSSH?

If not could you post the error log when creating a pkey inside WebSSH please?

[krptg0]

Yes actually I can. Every format. Though the public key part only appears on the newly generated key, not on my existing key.

[isontheline]

@krptg0 Thank you! Last question please : did you use WebSSH before 26.7?

[krptg0]

I certainly did yes, and added the key like a year ago 😅

[isontheline]

@krptg0 But using WebSSH in 2024?

I want to figure if the root cause is the same as this issue or another one fixed between January and July

[krptg0]

I've been subscribed to TestFlight updates since the past year I think. And I can confidentially tell that I use it at least once a month !

[isontheline]

@krptg0 I'm pushing a new release to TestFlight, should be available within hour

[DonPablo1010]

Update is live in the AppStore! :)

For me this fixed the issue...

[isontheline]

@krptg0 WebSSH 27.1 beta release being reviewed by Apple. Could be available tomorrow morning. I will ping you.

[isontheline]

@krptg0 Please try WebSSH 27.1.1375 : https://testflight.apple.com/join/QSrBK59z

[isontheline]

WebSSH 27.1 will be pushed this evening (UTC) : Fix for users encountering the same bug even after applying 27.0