Git Commands Return Fatal: Authentication Failed

Troubleshooting Git

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Problem

When performing a Git operation to the Stash server over HTTP, the command fails with a fatal: Authentication failed error.

$ git clone http://user@stash.company.com/scm/project/repo.git
Cloning into 'repo'...
Password for 'http://user@stash.company.com':
fatal: Authentication failed 

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Steps

  • Verify that the user can login to the web interface of Stash.

Cause

This error can have multiple causes which are outlined below.

Cause #1

There is an Apache proxy server in front of Stash that is removing the authorization header information as the request is passed to Stash. This is caused by the RequestHeader unset Authorization configuration being set.

Cause #2

The user has been locked out of Stash because of too many incorrect login attempts.

Resolution

Resolution #1

Remove the RequestHeader unset Authorization configuration from Apache and restart the proxy server.

Resolution #2

Check that the user can login to the web interface of Stash and answer the CAPTCHA if prompted.

Last modified on Nov 2, 2018

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