> Source: [sk184613](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk184613)

# sk184613 - macOS Endpoint Security VPN Client Fails to Create Remote Access VPN Site Due to Unsupported Root CA Certificate Curve

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk184613 |
| Date Created | 2026-01-30 |
| Last Modified | 2026-02-09 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Security Gateway |
| Versions | R82.10, R82, R81.20 |
| OS | macOS |

## Symptoms

- * macOS users with Endpoint Security Virtual Private Network (VPN) client version E89.10 and above cannot create a Remote Access VPN site. The client shows the error message: `site is not responding`.
* The issue appears on multiple macOS devices. Windows clients and older macOS clients can connect successfully.
* The Transport Layer Security (TLS) handshake completes, but the VPN site creation fails during certificate validation.
* Packet captures show out-of-order packets and, in some cases, a missing `Server Hello` message.
* Debug logs show that the client cannot decode a certificate in the chain that uses the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) secp384r1 (NIST P-384) curve.

## Cause

Starting in version E89.10, the macOS Endpoint Security VPN client validates the Root CA certificate instead of the server certificate.  
The Root CA certificate in the customer's chain uses `ECDSA secp384r1 (NIST P?384)` curve.  
The VPN client's internal cryptographic library (`fwcert`) does not support this curve.  

As a result:  

* The client cannot decode the Root CA certificate.
* The CA fingerprint cannot be extracted.
* Site creation fails and the client displays site is not responding.
Older versions (for example, E86.20) validate the server certificate instead. The server certificate uses a supported algorithm, so these versions are not affected.

## Solution

[Contact Check Point Support](https://www.checkpoint.com/support-services/contact-support/) to get a Hotfix for this issue.

A Support Engineer will make sure the Hotfix is compatible with your environment before providing it.  
For faster resolution and verification, collect these files:

1. [CPinfo](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk92739) file from the Management Server involved in the case.
2. [CPinfo](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk92739) file from the Security Gateway / each Cluster Member / Security Group involved in the case.

**Hotfix installation instructions:**   
Refer to [sk168597 - How to install a Hotfix](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk168597).

---

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