Summary
The issue at hand is an ETaurusTLSLoadingCertError exception that occurs when attempting to load a certificate in a Delphi 13 FMX project using Indy and TaurusTLS. The project throws this exception regardless of the certificate type (PEM or PFX), password protection, or SSL version used. The certificate files are generated by win-acme and simple-acme.
Root Cause
The root cause of this issue lies in the incorrect configuration of the TaurusTLS component, specifically in the way the public and private keys are set. The DefaultCert.PublicKey and DefaultCert.PrivateKey properties are set to the same PFX file, which may not be the correct approach, especially if the PFX file contains both the public and private keys.
Why This Happens in Real Systems
This issue can occur in real-world systems when the developer is not familiar with the nuances of certificate configuration in TaurusTLS or Indy. The complexity of certificate management, combined with the subtleties of the TaurusTLS component, can lead to configuration errors that result in the ETaurusTLSLoadingCertError exception.
Real-World Impact
The impact of this issue is significant, as it prevents the successful establishment of secure connections using SSL/TLS. In a production environment, this can lead to service disruptions, security vulnerabilities, and potential data breaches.
Example or Code
// Correctly setting the public and private keys
FIO.DefaultCert.PublicKey := TPath.Combine(ExtractFilePath(ParamStr(0)), 'public_key.pem');
FIO.DefaultCert.PrivateKey := TPath.Combine(ExtractFilePath(ParamStr(0)), 'private_key.pem');How Senior Engineers Fix It
Senior engineers would approach this issue by carefully examining the certificate configuration, ensuring that the public and private keys are correctly set and that the certificate files are in the correct format. They would also verify that the password for the private key is correctly provided through the FIOGetPassword event handler. Additionally, they would check the Indy and TaurusTLS documentation to ensure that the component is being used correctly.
Why Juniors Miss It
Junior engineers may miss this issue due to a lack of experience with certificate management and the specifics of the TaurusTLS component. They may not fully understand the implications of setting the public and private keys to the same file or may overlook the importance of providing the correct password for the private key. As a result, they may struggle to identify and fix the root cause of the ETaurusTLSLoadingCertError exception.