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fscrypt enters an infinite loop if an invalid key file is specified. #457
Description
fscrypt enters an infinite loop if the key file is specified incorrectly or the password is set incorrectly.
I write bash script, which will backup the userdata onto dir on backup drive, encrypted with fscrypt.
Script has a string like:
fscrypt unlock --unlock-with=/mnt/exthdd01:77f332536f86d4a2 --key=/home/romano/backup_drive.key /mnt/exthdd01/backup
intentionally specified an incorrect key for the test.
The same situation applies to entering a password if the protector is custom or login: scrypt enters an infinite loop of password prompts until it is interrupted by pressing Ctrl-C.
Activity
ebiggers commentedon Aug 19, 2026
Did you try the latest
masterbranch?bitardiichanru-shrg commentedon Aug 19, 2026
What's a master branch? I don't understand anything about it. I installed fscrypt using apt-get install.
I just want this bug fixed someday. It's a good program, perfect for encrypting your home directory and such, but it's not yet suitable for use in scripts.
ebiggers commentedon Aug 19, 2026
Well, it is the development version of
fscrypt, which you're reporting a bug against by filing an issue here. So you should have tested it, in case the bug was fixed recently.Anyway, no matter, since I tested it and this bug does still exist.
ebiggers commentedon Aug 19, 2026
#458 fixes this.
You can also avoid the bug by adding the
--quietoption. There was already no loop in that case.Don't retry key files specified with --key=FILE
bitardiichanru-shrg commentedon Aug 20, 2026