OpenSSL unable to write 'random state'

Written by adam on Fri, 04/03/2009 - 08:07 
$ openssl genrsa -des3 -out adamyoung.net.key 1024
Generating RSA private key, 1024 bit long modulus
.........................++++++
.................................................................++++++
unable to write 'random state'
e is 65537 (0x10001)
Enter pass phrase for adamyoung.net.key:
aborted!
4553:error:0906906F:PEM routines:PEM_ASN1_write_bio:read key:pem_lib.c:331:

The Fix:
There's a .rnd file that OpenSSL needs to write to. You should change the ownership to the proper user and group. Typically it's in the $HOME directory:

sudo chown adam.adam ~/.rnd

If this doesn't work, check $RANDFILE or generate the key with -rand

Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

Sun, 10/04/2009 - 10:14

WHO ARE YOU? ARE YOU WHO WE THINK YOU ARE? CAN WE TRUST YOU, "ADAM"? IS THAT YOUR REAL NAME? HUH? PUNK!

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Anonymous (not verified)

Mon, 10/19/2009 - 10:43

Thanks Adam, I tested this on Ubuntu server 8.04 and it works. I no longer get the message unable to write 'randow state'
after signing the certificate and adding to db.

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Anonymous (not verified)

Wed, 11/18/2009 - 06:53

u would not believe u r eyes
if ten million fireflies
lit up the world as i fell asleep
case they would fill the open air
and leave teardrops everywher u think me rude but
I would just stand and stare

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Anonymous (not verified)

Sat, 11/21/2009 - 11:17

hi!

Thank you very much for your help, i could find what was happening...

I executed the command with sudo and it worked.

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Anonymous (not verified)

Wed, 03/24/2010 - 11:21

wow this worked quick thanks a bunch !

was having this trouble on ubuntu 9.10

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Anonymous (not verified)

Mon, 08/02/2010 - 13:41

Guys, an alternative to accomplish this task without change the ownership of the .rnd file, is execute the openssl command with SUDO.

Bye

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Anonymous (not verified)

Wed, 08/04/2010 - 03:29

he's a great boy...I iove him..

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