URGENT UPDATE: An expired SSL certificate has caused significant disruptions for users of Google’s open-source build tool, Bazel, as of December 26, 2023. The failure has led to widespread build errors, affecting countless developers who rely on this essential software.
The issue stems from Bazel’s dependency on a remote cache service hosted at remotebuildexecution.googleapis.com. When the SSL certificate expired, it triggered a catastrophic failure, with many users encountering messages like “SSL certificate problem: certificate has expired.” Developers initially misdiagnosed the problem, believing it to be a configuration error, before discovering the true cause.
This incident highlights a critical vulnerability in digital infrastructure—SSL certificates, which are designed to secure connections, can also become single points of failure. As one engineer remarked, the expiration caught the team off guard, indicating a serious gap in monitoring and renewal practices.
The implications are far-reaching. Bazel is utilized by major companies for large-scale builds, and this disruption rippled through various ecosystems dependent on Google’s infrastructure. The intermittent nature of the failure made it particularly challenging, as systems would only throw errors under certain conditions.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Across the tech industry, expired SSL certificates have repeatedly caused outages, revealing the fragility of automated systems that lack robust failover mechanisms. Experts warn that while SSL certificates enhance security, they also introduce complexities that can lead to operational chaos.
Looking ahead, the challenges are set to escalate. A report from WWT outlines that starting in March 2026, SSL/TLS certificates will have a maximum validity of just 200 days, reducing further to 47 days by 2029. This shift, mandated by the Certificate Authority/Browser Forum, is intended to minimize risks but raises the stakes for organizations that must now ensure flawless renewal processes to avoid outages.
As companies grapple with these upcoming changes, the Bazel incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive certificate management. With threats from emerging technologies like quantum computing looming, the stakes are higher than ever. Experts are already discussing the potential of quantum threats to undermine traditional encryption methods, further complicating the landscape for SSL management.
Real-world examples underscore the urgent need for better practices. Breaches tied to inadequate certificate management, such as the exposure of data affecting 1.2 million passengers at WestJet, illustrate the consequences of negligence. Phishing campaigns leveraging SSL trust further emphasize the dual-edged nature of these certificates.
To combat these risks, industry leaders are advocating for increased automation in certificate management. While tools for automated renewal promise to streamline processes, the Bazel case demonstrates that automation alone is not infallible. Organizations must invest in monitoring and governance to ensure that critical alerts are not overlooked.
As we approach 2026, businesses are urged to audit their certificate inventories and prepare for the impending reductions in validity periods. The Bazel incident is a cautionary tale, reminding us that even the most advanced technology can falter without careful oversight.
In conclusion, as the demand for security grows, so too must our vigilance. The evolution of SSL certificates requires a holistic approach that blends technological advances with a culture of proactive management. By learning from recent incidents, the tech industry can bolster its defenses and safeguard the trust that underpins our digital interactions.
