Which versions of Java is Microsoft Crypto API (MSCAPI) compatible with?

Question

Which versions of Java is Microsoft Crypto API (MSCAPI) compatible with?? I am storing my private key in the Windows store and trying to read it to decrypt SAML assertion, but facing an error "java.security.InvalidKeyException: No installed provider supports this key: sun.security.mscapi.CPrivateKey". I get a similar error with Amazon Corretto JDK 11 and Oracle Java 1.8. So, wanted to know if it is possible to use the private key read from the MMC to validate/decrypt a token or is it restricted.

Answer 1

Hello there,

The Microsoft Crypto API (MSCAPI) is primarily designed to work with the Microsoft Windows operating system and its certificate stores. It allows Java applications running on Windows to access cryptographic services provided by the Windows operating system.

Java applications using the MSCAPI provider can use private keys stored in the Windows certificate store to perform cryptographic operations like decryption, signing, and certificate validation.

Regarding the compatibility with different versions of Java, the MSCAPI provider is available in Java 1.4 and later versions. This means that you should be able to use it with Java 1.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and newer versions.

The error you encountered, "java.security.InvalidKeyException: No installed provider supports this key: sun.security.mscapi.CPrivateKey," might be related to how you are accessing the private key from the Windows certificate store or how you are using it in your Java code.

Here are some things you can check and consider:

Make sure the private key is stored correctly in the Windows certificate store and can be accessed by the Java application.

Ensure that you are using the correct alias or key identifier to access the private key from the Windows certificate store.

Verify that the private key is associated with the certificate used for SAML decryption.

Check for any permission issues that might prevent the Java application from accessing the private key.

Check the cryptographic algorithms and settings used for SAML decryption to ensure they are compatible with the private key stored in the Windows certificate store.

If you are using a JDK version that is not part of the standard Oracle JDK distribution, like Amazon Corretto, ensure that it supports the MSCAPI provider correctly.

If you are still facing issues after verifying the above points, you might want to review your Java code related to the key access and decryption process. Consider seeking help from Java and Windows security experts or posting your code and specific issue on developer forums to get more targeted assistance.

I used AI provided by ChatGPT to formulate part of this response. I have verified that the information is accurate before sharing it with you.

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