jackc/pgx · error

failed to decode sslkey

Error message

failed to decode sslkey

What it means

Error "failed to decode sslkey" thrown in jackc/pgx.

Source

Thrown at pgconn/config.go:932

		}
	case "verify-full":
		tlsConfig.ServerName = host
	default:
		return nil, errors.New("sslmode is invalid")
	}

	if (sslcert != "" && sslkey == "") || (sslcert == "" && sslkey != "") {
		return nil, errors.New(`both "sslcert" and "sslkey" are required`)
	}

	if sslcert != "" && sslkey != "" {
		buf, err := os.ReadFile(sslkey)
		if err != nil {
			return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to read sslkey: %w", err)
		}
		block, _ := pem.Decode(buf)
		if block == nil {
			return nil, errors.New("failed to decode sslkey")
		}
		var pemKey []byte
		var decryptedKey []byte
		var decryptedError error
		// If PEM is encrypted, attempt to decrypt using pass phrase
		if x509.IsEncryptedPEMBlock(block) {
			// Attempt decryption with pass phrase
			// NOTE: only supports RSA (PKCS#1)
			if sslpassword != "" {
				decryptedKey, decryptedError = x509.DecryptPEMBlock(block, []byte(sslpassword)) //nolint:ineffassign
			}
			// if sslpassword not provided or has decryption error when use it
			// try to find sslpassword with callback function
			if sslpassword == "" || decryptedError != nil {
				if parseConfigOptions.GetSSLPassword != nil {
					sslpassword = parseConfigOptions.GetSSLPassword(context.Background())
				}
				if sslpassword == "" {

View on GitHub (pinned to ec1a0befd2)

When it happens

Trigger: Thrown at pgconn/config.go:932 when the library encounters an invalid state.

Common situations: See trigger scenarios.

AI-assisted analysis of jackc/pgx@ec1a0befd2 (2026-08-04). Data as JSON: /data/errors/a17b6e51bef06b70.json. Report an issue: GitHub.