Contents

Introduction

Problem

Solution

Related Information

Introduction

This document covers how to address Security Management Appliance (SMA) and Email Security Appliance (ESA) integration failures resulting in errors: "(3, 'Could not find matching key exchange algorithm.') or "Unexpected EOF on connect" and additional symptoms.

Background Information

SMA connection to ESA while first integrating, SMA offers the following ciphers/key exchange algorithms to the ESA:

kex_algorithms string: diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha256,diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha1,diffie-hellman-group14-sha1,ecdh-sha2-nistp256,ecdh-sha2-nistp384,ecdh-sha2-nistp521

encryption_algorithms_client_to_server string: aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,aes128-cbc,3des-cbc,blowfish-cbc,cast128-cbc,aes192-cbc,aes256-cbc,rijndael-cbc@lysator.liu.se

encryption_algorithms_server_to_client string: aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,aes128-cbc,3des-cbc,blowfish-cbc,cast128-cbc,aes192-cbc,aes256-cbc,rijndael-cbc@lysator.liu.se

After SMA and ESA connection is established, the SMA offers the following ciphers/key exchange algorithms to the ESA:

kex_algorithms string: curve25519-sha256@libssh.org,ecdh-sha2-nistp256,ecdh-sha2-nistp384,ecdh-sha2-nistp521,diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha256,diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha1,diffie-hellman-group14-sha1,diffie-hellman-group1-sha1

encryption_algorithms_client_to_server string [truncated]: aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,arcfour256,arcfour128,aes128-gcm@openssh.com,aes256-gcm@openssh.com,chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com,aes128-cbc,3des-cbc,blowfish-cbc,cast128-cbc,aes192-cbc,aes256-cbc,arcfour,rijndael-cbc@lysator.liu.se

encryption_algorithms_server_to_client string [truncated]: aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,arcfour256,arcfour128,aes128-gcm@openssh.com,aes256-gcm@openssh.com,chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com,aes128-cbc,3des-cbc,blowfish-cbc,cast128-cbc,aes192-cbc,aes256-cbc,arcfour,rijndael-cbc@lysator.liu.se

The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command.

Problem

The issue exists when integrating the SMA to the ESA from the GUI > Management Appliance > Centralized Services > Security Appliances or the CLI > applianceconfig. The issue will prompt an error on connection, this is due to the ESA missing some of the kex algorithms/cipher algorithms.

1. (3, 'Could not find matching key exchange algorithm.')

2. Error — Unexpected EOF on connect.

Solution

To resolve this, the ESA ssh cipher configuration needs to be bought back to the default values provided:

lab.esa.com> sshconfig

Choose the operation you want to perform:

- SSHD - Edit SSH server settings.

- USERKEY - Edit SSH User Key settings

- ACCESS CONTROL - Edit SSH whitelist/blacklist

[]> sshd

ssh server config settings:

Public Key Authentication Algorithms:

rsa1

ssh-dss

ssh-rsa

Cipher Algorithms:

aes128-ctr

aes192-ctr

aes256-ctr

aes128-cbc

3des-cbc

blowfish-cbc

cast128-cbc

aes192-cbc

aes256-cbc

rijndael-cbc@lysator.liu.se

MAC Methods:

hmac-md5

hmac-sha1

umac-64@openssh.com

hmac-ripemd160

hmac-ripemd160@openssh.com

hmac-sha1-96

hmac-md5-96

Minimum Server Key Size:

1024

KEX Algorithms:

diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha256

diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha1

diffie-hellman-group14-sha1

diffie-hellman-group1-sha1

ecdh-sha2-nistp256

ecdh-sha2-nistp384

ecdh-sha2-nistp521

The output from the CLI > sshconfig > sshd on the step by step setup:

[]> setup

Enter the Public Key Authentication Algorithms do you want to use

[rsa1,ssh-dss,ssh-rsa]>

Enter the Cipher Algorithms do you want to use

[aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,aes128-cbc,3des-cbc,blowfish-cbc,cast128-cbc,aes192-cbc,aes256-cbc,rijndael-cbc@lysator.liu.se]>

Enter the MAC Methods do you want to use

[hmac-md5,hmac-sha1,umac-64@openssh.com,hmac-ripemd160,hmac-ripemd160@openssh.com,hmac-sha1-96,hmac-md5-96]>

Enter the Minimum Server Key Size do you want to use

[1024]>

Enter the KEX Algorithms do you want to use

[diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha256,diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha1,diffie-hellman-group14-sha1,diffie-hellman-group1-sha1,ecdh-sha2-nistp256,ecdh-sha2-nistp384,ecdh-sha2-nistp521]>

Related Information

- Cisco Email Security Appliance - End-User Guides

- Technical Support & Documentation - Cisco Systems

- Best Practises for Centralized Policy Virus and Outbreak Quarantine

- Comprehensive guide for ESA Spam Quarantine setup with SMA