Java Keytool error after importing certificate , "keytool error: java.io.FileNotFoundException & Access Denied"

Question

I'm trying to connect a Java Web API via HTTPS; however, an exception is thrown:

javax.net.ssl.SSLHandshakeException: sun.security.validator.ValidatorException

I followed these steps which I learned from online keytool & SSL cert tutorials:

1. I copied the HTTPS URL into the browser, downloaded the SSL certificates & Installed them in the browser using Internet Explorer.

2. Exported the certificates to a path on my computer, the certificates were saved as .cer

3. Used the keytool's import option. The command below executed without any errors.

   keytool -import -alias downloadedCertAlias -keystore C:\path\to\my\keystore\cacerts.file -file C:\path\of\exportedCert.cer
   

4. I was prompted for a password at the command prompt, which I entered then I was authenticated.

5. The cmd window printed some certificate data & signatures and I was prompted with the question:

   Trust this certificate?

   I answered yes.

6. The cmd prompt displayed

   Certificate was added to keystore

   However after that message, another exception was displayed:

   keytool error: java.io.FileNotFoundException: C:\Program files\...\cacerts <Access Denied>
   

Finally when I checked the keystore , the SSL certificate was not added and my application gives the same exception I was getting earlier when trying to connect:

(javax.net.ssl.SSLHandshakeException:sun.security.validator.ValidatorException)

Answer 1

This could happen if you are not running the command prompt in administrator mode. If you are using windows 7, you can go to run, type cmd and hit Ctrl+Shift+enter. This will open the command prompt in administrator mode. If not, you can also go to start -> all programs -> accessories -> right click command prompt and click 'run as administrator'.