Troubleshooting Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management App Connection: Addressing Certification Path Errors

Table of Contents

Symptoms¶

When establishing a connection to Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, users of the Warehouse Management mobile app may encounter a frustrating error message. This error typically manifests as follows:

java.security.cert.certPathValidatorException: Trust anchor for certification path not found.

This error message indicates a problem with the SSL certificate validation process, specifically that the device is unable to verify the authenticity of the server’s certificate. This issue is not universally experienced and tends to be concentrated on devices with specific configurations, making it crucial to understand the common factors involved. Identifying these symptoms early can significantly expedite the troubleshooting process and minimize disruption to warehouse operations.

This connectivity issue is most commonly observed in environments with the following characteristics:

• Operating System Version: Devices running older versions of the Android operating system, particularly Android 4.4.x (such as Zebra TC55 devices), are significantly more susceptible. Modern Android versions generally incorporate automatic updates to trusted certificate lists, mitigating this problem.
• Supply Chain Management Location: The issue is primarily seen when connecting to cloud-based deployments of Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. On-premises deployments might have different certificate management configurations, potentially avoiding this specific error.
• Connection Mode: Regardless of whether you are utilizing client secrets or certificates for authentication, this error can arise. This suggests the problem is not directly tied to the authentication method itself, but rather to the underlying SSL certificate validation process that occurs before authentication.

Possible Cause¶

The root cause of the “Trust anchor for certification path not found” error often lies in updates to the SSL certificates used by Microsoft for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. SSL certificates are essential for establishing secure, encrypted connections between your mobile devices and the Dynamics 365 servers. These certificates have a limited lifespan and are periodically renewed by certificate authorities to maintain security best practices.

When Microsoft updates these server-side SSL certificates, it can sometimes lead to compatibility issues with older devices. The updated certificate might rely on a new root certificate or intermediate certificate that is not present in the trusted certificate store of older Android versions like 4.4.x. Think of it like a chain of trust: your device needs to be able to trace the server’s certificate back to a known and trusted authority (the root certificate). If any link in this chain is missing or unrecognized by the device, the validation fails, resulting in the error.

Newer Android versions typically handle these certificate updates seamlessly. They are designed to automatically update their lists of trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs) in the background. This ensures they can validate the latest certificates used by websites and services across the internet. However, older Android versions, like 4.4.x, lack this automatic update mechanism. Consequently, when a server certificate is updated to rely on a newer root CA, these older devices may be unable to recognize and trust the new certificate, leading to the connection error. This highlights the importance of keeping device operating systems up-to-date, especially in environments that rely on secure network communication.

Resolution¶

To resolve the “Trust anchor for certification path not found” error and restore connectivity to Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, several approaches can be taken. Each resolution has its own set of considerations regarding effort, long-term effectiveness, and device management strategy. Choosing the most appropriate resolution depends on your organization’s specific context and resources.

Here are the primary resolution strategies:

• Implement the Workaround: Manual Certificate Update. This involves manually exporting the new root certificate from your Dynamics 365 environment and installing it on each affected device. This method is detailed in the “Workaround” section below and provides a direct, device-by-device solution.
• Contact Device Vendor or OS Provider for System Update. It might be possible to obtain a system update for your older devices from the device manufacturer (like Zebra) or Google (for Android itself). This update would ideally include a refresh of the system’s trusted certifying authority (CA) certificates. However, the feasibility and availability of such updates for older OS versions can be uncertain and time-consuming to pursue. It is recommended to check with the vendor’s support channels to explore this possibility.
• Device Replacement: Upgrade to Modern Devices. The most robust and forward-looking solution is to replace older devices running outdated Android versions with devices running a more recent and actively supported Android OS. Modern Android versions benefit from automatic updates to trusted CA certificates, eliminating the root cause of this issue and improving overall security posture. While this option involves a larger upfront investment, it provides long-term benefits in terms of security, compatibility, and access to newer app features.

Workaround¶

The following workaround provides a step-by-step guide to manually update the trusted root certificate on affected Android devices. This approach is practical for addressing the issue on a smaller scale, or when device replacement is not immediately feasible. It involves exporting the current root certificate from your Dynamics 365 environment using a web browser and then installing this certificate onto each device experiencing the connection error.

Step 1: Export the New Root Certificate from Supply Chain Management¶

This step focuses on extracting the necessary root certificate from your Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management instance. You will use your web browser to access Dynamics 365 and leverage the browser’s built-in certificate inspection tools.

1. Sign in to Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management: Open a web browser on your computer and navigate to your Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management environment’s URL. Ensure you are able to successfully log in and access the main page.

   

2. Access Browser Security Information: In the address bar of your browser, locate and select the lock icon that indicates a secure connection (usually to the left of the URL). This action will open a dialog box that provides information about the website’s security and certificate. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox), but it will typically be labeled something like “Connection is secure” or “Secure Connection”.

   

3. Open Certificate Details: Within the security dialog box, look for and select an option related to certificates. This is often labeled as “Certificate (valid)” or similar. Clicking this option will open a new window displaying the certificate details for the Dynamics 365 server.

   

4. Navigate to Certification Path Tab: In the Certificate window, locate and click on the Certification Path tab. This tab displays the hierarchy of certificates that form the chain of trust, starting from the server’s certificate and tracing back to the root certificate authority.

   

5. Select the Root Certificate: In the certificate hierarchy displayed on the Certification Path tab, identify and select the topmost certificate in the list. This is the root certificate, the foundation of the chain of trust. It is typically issued by a well-known Certificate Authority.

   

6. Open Certificate Details Tab: After selecting the root certificate, click on the Details tab within the Certificate window. This tab provides detailed information about the selected root certificate.

   

7. Initiate Certificate Export: At the bottom of the Details tab, locate and select the Copy to File button. This action will launch the Certificate Export Wizard, which will guide you through the process of saving the root certificate to a file.

   

8. Start Export Wizard: The Certificate Export Wizard will open with a welcome screen. Select Next to proceed to the next step.

   

9. Choose Export File Format: On the Export File Format page, select the option DER encoded binary X.509 (.CER). This is the recommended format for importing certificates into Android devices. After selecting the format, click Next to continue.

   

10. Specify File Name and Location: The Files to Export page will prompt you to specify a file name and location for saving the exported certificate file. Choose a descriptive file name (e.g., “DynamicsRootCertificate.cer”) and select a location on your computer where you can easily find it. Click Next to proceed.

    

11. Complete Certificate Export: The Completing the Certificate Export Wizard page will display a summary of your export settings. Review the information to ensure it is correct. Click Finish to complete the export process and save the root certificate to the specified file location. A confirmation message will appear indicating that the export was successful.

    

Step 2: Install the Downloaded Certificate onto the Affected Devices¶

This step involves transferring the exported certificate file to each of the affected Android devices and installing it into the device’s trusted certificate store. The exact steps for installation may vary slightly depending on the Android version and device manufacturer, but the general process is similar.

Detailed instructions for installing the certificate on the Android devices would be needed here, which are device specific. However, generally it involves:

1. Transfer the Certificate File: Copy the exported .CER certificate file from your computer to the affected Android devices. You can use various methods for file transfer, such as:

   • USB Cable: Connect the Android device to your computer using a USB cable and transfer the file via file explorer.
   • Email: Email the certificate file as an attachment to an email address accessible on the Android device.
   • Cloud Storage: Upload the certificate file to a cloud storage service (e.g., Google Drive, OneDrive) and download it on the Android device.
   • SD Card: Copy the file to an SD card and insert the SD card into the Android device (if supported).

2. Install the Certificate: Once the certificate file is on the Android device, you need to install it. The typical method involves:

   • Navigate to Settings: Open the Settings app on the Android device.
   • Security or Security & Location: Look for a section related to Security or Security & Location. The exact name and location of this setting might vary slightly.
   • Encryption & Credentials or Trusted Credentials: Within the Security settings, find an option like Encryption & Credentials, Trusted Credentials, or Install from SD card (if you used SD card transfer).
   • Install from Device Storage: If you transferred the file to device storage, select an option to install from storage. You might need to navigate to the location where you saved the .CER file.
   • Certificate Name: You may be prompted to enter a name for the certificate. Choose a descriptive name like “Dynamics 365 Root Certificate”.
   • Confirmation: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the certificate installation. You may be asked to confirm your device PIN or password.

3. Test the Connection: After installing the certificate on the device, attempt to connect to Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management using the Warehouse Management app. The “Trust anchor for certification path not found” error should now be resolved, and the app should connect successfully.

By following these steps for each affected device, you can manually update the trusted root certificates and resolve the connection issue. Remember that this workaround is a temporary solution. For a more sustainable and secure approach, consider upgrading to devices with newer Android versions that automatically manage certificate updates.

If you continue to experience issues or have further questions, consider reaching out to your IT support team or consulting the official Dynamics 365 documentation for more in-depth troubleshooting guidance.

We encourage you to share your experiences and questions in the comments below!