Web.Config encryption using RsaProtectedConfigurationProvider - “Bad Data” error

Question

I am attempting to encrypt connection string values in the Web.Config file for an ASP.NET 2.0 web application, following the procedure described on MSDN. Using the RsaProtectedC

Answer 1

Be careful that the name of the element to encrypt is case sensitive. So you should use "connectionStrings" not "connectionstrings" or "ConnectionStrings".

Answer 2

From your description, you're encountering some problems about encypting web.config via exportable RSA provider, correct?

According to the RSA encryption reference, I've performed some local tests, the normal process of encrypting web.config section via RSA provider and move to other machine is as below:

====================== Step 1

Create a machine-level RSA key container: aspnet_regiis -pc "MyTestKeys" -exp

Step 2

Grant Read Access to the RSA Encryption Key:

aspnet_regiis -pa "MyTestKeys" "NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE"

Step 3

Encrypt the config file: aspnet_regiis -pef "connectionStrings" "physical path of the web site folder" -prov MyRSAProvider

export the container and import it back to other machine using the following steps

Step 4

Export the machine-level RSA key container: aspnet_regiis -px "MyTestKeys" "c:\Config-Key.xml" -pri

Step 5

Copy Config-Key.xml to c:\ on 2nd server

Step 6

Import the the machine-level RSA key container on the 2nd server: aspnet_regiis -pi "MyTestKeys" "c:\Config-Key.xml"

Step 7

Grant Read Access to the RSA Encryption Key: aspnet_regiis -pa "MyTestKeys" "NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE"

Step 8

Copy encrypted web.config to 2nd server

========================

Based on the steps you mentioned, I think most of the process you've followed should be correct. So far I'd like to suggest you check the following things:

1. Check your custom RSA provider setting to see whether it is correctly copied to target machine also and set to use Machine container

========encrypt config section=======

type="System.Configuration.RsaProtectedConfigurationProvider,System.Configur ation, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a" />

2. AS in the above steps, after you create RSA key container, you need to use "aspnet_regiis -pa" to make sure that the certain account(which will run your ASP.NET application) has the sufficient access permission to the key container. Generally, when you use VS 2008/VS 2005 test server to run ASP.NET application, you're using the logon user(which is probably the admin), however, if you run the ASP.NET in IIS (or after move to other server which is using another different process account), you need to make sure the certain process account have been granted the permission.

You can check them to see whether the problem is due to some of them.

Sincerely, Sanjay Manju suman

Answer 3

The RsaProtectedConfigurationProvider uses the machine account or the user account to encrypt the keys and save them in a file which called "key container", which usually saved in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA. And the ASP.NET worker process identity (ASPNET user in XP/2000 or Network Service in case of 2003) should have access to these files to be able to decrypt it or you would get this error message.

Please check this link for more information

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dtkwfdky.aspx

Answer 4

I followed the approach listed below when I had Bad Data error while manual decryption.

1. Add Remove and Clear tags in configProtectedData.
2. Verify –pri was used while exporting key
3. Also ensure that keyContainerName is same as the one used for regstering

keyContainerName="MyKeys"

CONFIG

<configProtectedData>
  <providers>

    <clear/>

<remove name="RSAProtectedConfigurationProvider" />

     <add name="RSAProtectedConfigurationProvider" keyContainerName="MyKeys" 
    type="System.Configuration.RsaProtectedConfigurationProvider, System.Configuration, Version=2.0.0.0,&#xD;&#xA;                
Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a,&#xD;&#xA; processorArchitecture=MSIL"
          useMachineContainer="true" />

  </providers>
</configProtectedData>

REFERENCE

1. ConnectionString Encryption
2. Where is RAS Key...

Answer 5

Actually you can use EL from Microsoft just to encrypt your connection string. You can download it here: http://www.codeplex.com/entlib

hth

Answer 6

Encrpyting is very case sensitive as mahdi said. I have used in my pc and taken it to the sever I had a problem the problem was from the RSA machine key containers that are stored in my PC folder OR directory. and If you want to know where the correction may be started before making any change, Just start from

\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\MachineKeys.

For info, kindly reffer to this link which might be a helpful....

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms998283.aspx