ERROR_IPSEC_IKE_STRONG_CRED_AUTHORIZATION_AND_CERTMAP_FAILURE - 13908 (0x3654)
SA establishment is not authorized because there is not a sufficiently strong PKINIT-based credential. This might be related to certificate-to-account mapping failure for the SA.
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Technical Background
The error code ERROR_IPSEC_IKE_STRONG_CRED_AUTHORIZATION_AND_CERTMAP_FAILURE (13908, 0x3654) is encountered during the establishment of a Security Association (SA) in the Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) framework. This specific error indicates that the security context for establishing an IPsec SA has not been authorized due to insufficient strength of the PKINIT-based credential or failure in certificate-to-account mapping.
Error Details
The error ERROR_IPSEC_IKE_STRONG_CRED_AUTHORIZATION_AND_CERTMAP_FAILURE is triggered when the system determines that the credentials used for establishing an IPsec SA do not meet the required security standards. This can be due to several factors, including:
- Insufficient strength of the PKINIT-based credential.
- Failure in mapping a certificate to an appropriate user account or group.
Common Causes
- Insufficient Credential Strength: The credentials used for establishing the IPsec SA do not meet the security requirements set by the system. This could be due to weak passwords, insufficient key length, or other factors that compromise the strength of the credential.
- Certificate-to-Account Mapping Failure: There is a failure in mapping the certificate to an appropriate user account or group. This can occur if the certificate does not have the necessary permissions or if there are issues with the certificate's validity or revocation status.
Real-World Context
In practical scenarios, this error might be encountered when setting up IPsec policies that require strong authentication mechanisms. For example, in environments where PKINIT is used for mutual authentication between clients and servers, insufficient credential strength can prevent the establishment of a secure SA.
Is This Error Critical?
The criticality of this error depends on the specific context in which it occurs. In most cases, this error indicates that the security requirements have not been met, which could pose a risk to the integrity and confidentiality of the data being transmitted over IPsec.
How to Diagnose
To diagnose this issue, follow these steps:
- Review Operation Context: Ensure that the operation context is correct and that all necessary parameters are properly configured.
- Validate Parameters: Check the strength of the credentials used for establishing the SA. Ensure that they meet the security requirements set by the system.
- Confirm Object Types: Verify that the certificate-to-account mapping is correctly configured and that the certificate has the appropriate permissions.
- Verify Input Data: Confirm that there are no issues with the certificate's validity or revocation status.
How to Resolve
To resolve this issue, consider the following steps:
- Correct Parameter Usage: Ensure that all parameters used for establishing the IPsec SA meet the security requirements set by the system.
- Adjust Operation Context: If necessary, adjust the operation context or configuration settings to ensure that they align with the required security standards.
- Restore Data: If there are issues with certificate validity or revocation status, restore the certificate or obtain a new one from a trusted source.
- Retry Operation with Valid Inputs: Attempt to establish the IPsec SA again using valid inputs and configurations.
Developer Notes
Developers should ensure that all credentials used for establishing IPsec SAs meet the required security standards. This includes verifying the strength of PKINIT-based credentials and ensuring proper certificate-to-account mapping. Additionally, developers should be aware of the specific security requirements set by the system and configure their applications accordingly.
Related Errors
ERROR_IPSEC_IKE_AUTHORIZATION_FAILURE(13902)ERROR_IPSEC_IKE_CERTMAP_FAILURE(13876)
FAQ
Q: What does error 13908 mean?
A: The error ERROR_IPSEC_IKE_STRONG_CRED_AUTHORIZATION_AND_CERTMAP_FAILURE indicates that the security context for establishing an IPsec SA has not been authorized due to insufficient PKINIT-based credential strength or failure in certificate-to-account mapping.
Q: How can I prevent this error?
A: To prevent this error, ensure that all credentials used for establishing IPsec SAs meet the required security standards. Verify the strength of PKINIT-based credentials and confirm proper certificate-to-account mapping.
Summary
The error ERROR_IPSEC_IKE_STRONG_CRED_AUTHORIZATION_AND_CERTMAP_FAILURE (13908) is a specific error indicating that the security context for establishing an IPsec SA has not been authorized due to insufficient PKINIT-based credential strength or failure in certificate-to-account mapping. Developers should ensure that all credentials meet the required security standards and properly configure certificate-to-account mappings to avoid this issue.