XP and XC 9.3 - Fix for antiforgery error while user registration and login

During a new CD server machine setup, I found this issue during the login and registration, the error is very straight forward and self-explanatory that it's related to security/ or access of the token beetwen sites.

Error Details

 27432 22:33:04 ERROR One or more exceptions occurred while processing the subscribers to the 'sessionEnd:batch:starting' event.  
 Exception[1]: Sitecore.XConnect.XdbCollectionUnavailableException   
 Message[1]: An error occurred while sending the request.   
 Source[1]: Sitecore.Xdb.Common.Web   
   at Sitecore.Xdb.Common.Web.Synchronous.SynchronousExtensions.SuspendContextLock[TResult](Func`1 taskFactory)  
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.XConnectSynchronousExtensions.SuspendContextLock(Func`1 taskFactory)  
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.Configuration.SitecoreXConnectClientConfiguration.Initialize(XmlNode configNode)  
   at Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert, IFactoryHelper helper)  
   at Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert)  
   at Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(String configPath, String[] parameters, Boolean assert)  
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.Configuration.SitecoreXConnectClientConfiguration.GetClient(String clientConfigPath)  
   at Sitecore.Analytics.XConnect.DataAccess.BatchEnabledXdbRuntimeContext..ctor(IXdbContextFactory factory)  
   at Sitecore.Analytics.Events.BatchEventHandler.OnBatchStarting(Object sender, EventArgs args)  
   at Sitecore.Events.Event.EventSubscribers.RaiseEvent(String eventName, Object[] parameters, EventResult result)   
 27432 22:33:04 ERROR Cannot execute 'sessionEnd:batch:starting' event  
 Exception: System.AggregateException  
 Message: One or more exceptions occurred while processing the subscribers to the 'sessionEnd:batch:starting' event.  
 Source: Sitecore.Kernel  
   at Sitecore.Events.Event.EventSubscribers.RaiseEvent(String eventName, Object[] parameters, EventResult result)  
   at Sitecore.Events.Event.RaiseEvent(String eventName, Object[] parameters)  
   at Sitecore.Kernel.Web.SessionExpirationProcessor.TryRaiseEvent(String eventName, Object[] parameters)  
 Nested Exception  
 Exception: Sitecore.XConnect.XdbCollectionUnavailableException  
 Message: An error occurred while sending the request.  
 Source: Sitecore.Xdb.Common.Web  
   at Sitecore.Xdb.Common.Web.Synchronous.SynchronousExtensions.SuspendContextLock[TResult](Func`1 taskFactory)  
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.XConnectSynchronousExtensions.SuspendContextLock(Func`1 taskFactory)  
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.Configuration.SitecoreXConnectClientConfiguration.Initialize(XmlNode configNode)  
   at Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert, IFactoryHelper helper)  
   at Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert)  
   at Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(String configPath, String[] parameters, Boolean assert)  
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.Configuration.SitecoreXConnectClientConfiguration.GetClient(String clientConfigPath)  
   at Sitecore.Analytics.XConnect.DataAccess.BatchEnabledXdbRuntimeContext..ctor(IXdbContextFactory factory)  
   at Sitecore.Analytics.Events.BatchEventHandler.OnBatchStarting(Object sender, EventArgs args)  
   at Sitecore.Events.Event.EventSubscribers.RaiseEvent(String eventName, Object[] parameters, EventResult result)  
 Nested Exception  
 Exception: System.Net.Http.HttpRequestException  
 Message: An error occurred while sending the request.  
 Source: mscorlib  
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  

here is a good read about the anti

https://www.c-sharpcorner.com/article/understand-antiforgeri-token-in-asp-net-mvc/#:~:text=Anti-forgery%20stands%20for%20%E2%80%9CAct%20of%20copying%20or%20imitating,trusted%20source%20sending%20the%20data%20to%20the%20site.

https://www.devcurry.com/2013/01/what-is-antiforgerytoken-and-why-do-i.html

Solution -  I opened the mmc.exe, selected the certificates and allowed all application pools access to the CD server certificate.

Sitecore XP and XC fix for Odata Client, version = 6.19.0.21114- The System cannot find the file specified.

 

Recently, I got above error during the setup of a new CD server (XP (CD role) + XC(Shop role)) 

Seems very straight forward that there is a diff in Microsoft.OData.Client assembly version.

I took the latest configuration (Including web.conf) and dll from one of the working CD server and that change had resolved the issue.

Sitecore XC 9.3 - Fix details in case if there is any issue while deleting the SXA site.

 Recently, I got an issue while deleting the site (SXA)

  Invoke-PreDeleteValidationStep : Cannot bind argument to parameter 'DefinitionItems' 

because it is null. At line:28 char:57 + ... $canRemove = Invoke-PreDeleteValidationStep 

$siteModules $SiteIt ... + ~~~~~~~~~~~~ + CategoryInfo : InvalidData: (:) 

[Invoke-PreDeleteValidationStep], ParameterBindingValidationException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : ParameterArgumentValidationErrorNullNotAllowed,Invoke-PreDeleteValidationStep  

I didn't find any solution or details on google, Finally, I clicked on add modules and remove one unwanted module and clicked yes, basically that process refreshed the site again.

After that, I was able to delete the site.

It's a small trick but that really saved my time, I hope that will help other community members.

Sitecore XC (9.3) - Fix for OOM command not allowed when used memory

 During the CD2 configuration for one of the environment, I got below error 

ERR Error running script (call to f_2cf3a5ca51adf9b3b3500002e73e176dc3c54e26): @user_script:2: @user_script: 2: -OOM command not allowed when used memory > 'maxmemory'.   

I took reference from these links

1. https://ma.ttias.be/redis-oom-command-not-allowed-used-memory-maxmemory/
2. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/18430324/how-to-debug-the-error-oom-command-not-allowed-when-used-memory-maxmemory

After the investigation, I found this is because of the Redis cache memory issue, I have increased the size based on the analyzed load.

here are the steps to upload it -

# Redis configuration file example

# it in the usual form of 1k 5GB 4M and so forth:

# 1k => 1000 bytes

# 1kb => 1024 bytes

# 1m => 1000000 bytes

# 1mb => 1024*1024 bytes

# 1g => 1000000000 bytes

# 1gb => 1024*1024*1024 bytes

# units are case insensitive so 1GB 1Gb 1gB are all the same.

Navigate to the file C:\Program Files\Redis and update the value based on your analysis,

Sitecore 9.3 - Fix for SXA toolbox doesn't show in experience editor.

While working on SXA, you will always define the page design and partial design but in case if we need to add the placeholder key in the SXA layout, If we add the placeholder key before the 

@Html.Sxa().GridBody()

The application will not show the SXA components menu on the experience editor, to fix that we should keep this placeholder after the default placeholder.

Example - 

Sitecore XP 9.3 - Fix for Images are not showing in site only.

Recently, I got a request to check an urgent issue, the issue was that a few images in the page header and page content were not showing.

When I open that image in a new tab (through the direct URL) it didn't work but when I did the refresh on that Image in the same tab it shows the actual image, weird scenario yeah!!

I quickly check the request and response object of the site and individual tab (Only image link) and found a difference, While making a call from the website the request is sending the referee, As mentioned in the below screenshot.

Solution - the option is to remove the referrer for the particular page, I have added metadata and set the below value.

 <meta name="referrer" content ="no-referrer">  

that change resolve the issue,

We can also update the SXA layout for that

Note - this is a quick fix, but may create another issue of explicitly adding this tag, I will update in case of any further issue because of this change.

Happy Sitecore instance troubleshooting!!

Steps to update Sitecore SSL certificates (Sitecore XP 9.3)

It's a general requirement to update the security certificates for the website.

It's more enjoyable when we work on the Sitecore, consider multiple endpoints like CMS, xConnect, Identity servers and XC Roles. I again got a requirement to update the certificates and wanted to share this with the community so everyone can quickly do this without any issue or hurdles.

So let's get started the journey to update the certificate :) 

Steps  1 - Open the mmc.exe

 Àdd certification--> computer account

Install your certificate and you will see your certificate here-

Copy the thumbprint of the installed certificate 

Copy the thumbprint of the installed certificate and keep in a file.

Now, got to certificate and add all application pools identifier.

Make sure you enter the name in   IIS AppPool\App Pool identifier name format otherwise you wouldn't get the identifier.

Now, Search for the existing thumbprint on the site, You will find in below files.

1. Identityserver\Config\production\Sitecore.IdentityServer.Host.xml
2. CMsite\App_Config\ConnectionStrings.config
3. xconnect\App_Config\AppSettings.config
4. xconnect\App_Data\jobs\continuous\ProcessingEngine\App_Config\ConnectionStrings.config
5. xconnect\App_Data\jobs\continuous\AutomationEngine\App_Config\ConnectionStrings.config

After replacing the file, got to IIS site and choose the correct certificate and restart the IIS.

that's it, It's very straightforward.

Troubleshooting - 

1. I got this error after updating the SSL certificate.

 1.     message: "An error has occurred.", exceptionMessage: "An error occurred while sending the request.",…}  
 1.     exceptionMessage: "An error occurred while sending the request."  
 2.     exceptionType: "System.Net.Http.HttpRequestException"  
 3.     innerException: {message: "An error has occurred.",…}  
 4.     message: "An error has occurred."  
 5.     stackTrace: "  at Sitecore.Xdb.Common.Web.Synchronous.SynchronousExtensions.SuspendContextLock[TResult](Func`1 taskFactory)  
 6.     ↵  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Core.Repositories.ReferenceData.ReferenceDataSegmentReader.Get(IEnumerable`1 keys, NameValueCollection readingPreferences)  
 7.     ↵  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Aggregation.Repositories.AggregationSegmentReader.Get(IEnumerable`1 keys, NameValueCollection readingPreferences)  
 8.     ↵  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Api.RequestTypeResolver.GetReportSegments()  
 9.     ↵  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Api.RequestTypeResolver.GetRequestType()  
 10.     ↵  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Api.Http.ModelBinding.ReportQueryModelBinder.GetModelFromBindingContext(HttpActionContext actionContext, ModelBindingContext bindingContext)  
 11.     ↵  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Api.Http.ModelBinding.ReportQueryModelBinder.BindModel(HttpActionContext actionContext, ModelBindingContext bindingContext)  
 12.     ↵  at System.Web.Http.ModelBinding.ModelBinderParameterBinding.ExecuteBindingAsync(ModelMetadataProvider metadataProvider, HttpActionContext actionContext, CancellationToken cancellationToken)  
 13.     ↵  at System.Web.Http.Controllers.HttpActionBinding.<ExecuteBindingAsyncCore>d__12.MoveNext()  
 14.     ↵--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---  
 15.     ↵  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  
 16.     ↵  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)  
 17.     ↵  at System.Web.Http.Controllers.ActionFilterResult.<ExecuteAsync>d__5.MoveNext()  
 18.     ↵--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---  
 19.     ↵  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  
 20.     ↵  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)  
 21.     ↵  at System.Web.Http.Filters.AuthorizationFilterAttribute.<ExecuteAuthorizationFilterAsyncCore>d__3.MoveNext()  
 22.     ↵--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---  
 23.     ↵  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  
 24.     ↵  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)  
 25.     ↵  at System.Web.Http.Filters.AuthorizationFilterAttribute.<ExecuteAuthorizationFilterAsyncCore>d__3.MoveNext()  
 26.     ↵--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---  
 27.     ↵  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  
 28.     ↵  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)  
 29.     ↵  at System.Web.Http.Filters.AuthorizationFilterAttribute.<ExecuteAuthorizationFilterAsyncCore>d__3.MoveNext()  
 30.     ↵--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---  
 31.     ↵  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  
 32.     ↵  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)  
 33.     ↵  at System.Web.Http.Controllers.ExceptionFilterResult.<ExecuteAsync>d__6.MoveNext()  
 34.     ↵--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---  
 35.     ↵  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  
 36.     ↵  at System.Web.Http.Controllers.ExceptionFilterResult.<ExecuteAsync>d__6.MoveNext()  
 37.     ↵--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---  
 38.     ↵  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  
 39.     ↵  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)  
 40.     ↵  at System.Web.Http.Dispatcher.HttpControllerDispatcher.<SendAsync>d__15.MoveNext()"  

A few more errors -

 {"message":"An error has occurred.","exceptionMessage":"An error occurred while sending the request.","exceptionType":"System.Net.Http.HttpRequestException","stackTrace":"  at Sitecore.Xdb.Common.Web.Synchronous.SynchronousExtensions.SuspendContextLock[TResult](Func`1 taskFactory)\r\n  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Core.Repositories.ReferenceData.ReferenceDataSegmentReader.Get(IEnumerable`1 keys, NameValueCollection readingPreferences)\r\n  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Aggregation.Repositories.AggregationSegmentReader.Get(IEnumerable`1 keys, NameValueCollection readingPreferences)\r\n  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Api.RequestTypeResolver.GetReportSegments()\r\n  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Api.RequestTypeResolver.GetRequestType()\r\n  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Api.Http.ModelBinding.ReportQueryModelBinder.GetModelFromBindingContext(HttpActionContext actionContext, ModelBindingContext bindingContext)\r\n  at Sitecore.ExperienceAnalytics.Api.Http.ModelBinding.ReportQueryModelBinder.BindModel(HttpActionContext actionContext, ModelBindingContext bindingContext)\r\n  at System.Web.Http.ModelBinding.ModelBinderParameterBinding.ExecuteBindingAsync(ModelMetadataProvider metadataProvider, HttpActionContext actionContext, CancellationToken cancellationToken)\r\n  at System.Web.Http.Controllers.HttpActionBinding.<ExecuteBindingAsyncCore>d__12.MoveNext()\r\n--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---\r\n  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()\r\n  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)\r\n  at System.Web.Http.Controllers.ActionFilterResult.<ExecuteAsync>d__5.MoveNext()\r\n--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---\r\n  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()\r\n  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)\r\n  at System.Web.Http.Filters.AuthorizationFilterAttribute.<ExecuteAuthorizationFilterAsyncCore>d__3.MoveNext()\r\n--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---\r\n  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()\r\n  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)\r\n  at System.Web.Http.Filters.AuthorizationFilterAttribute.<ExecuteAuthorizationFilterAsyncCore>d__3.MoveNext()\r\n--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---\r\n  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()\r\n  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)\r\n  at System.Web.Http.Filters.AuthorizationFilterAttribute.<ExecuteAuthorizationFilterAsyncCore>d__3.MoveNext()\r\n--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---\r\n  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()\r\n  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)\r\n  at System.Web.Http.Controllers.ExceptionFilterResult.<ExecuteAsync>d__6.MoveNext()\r\n--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---\r\n  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()\r\n  at System.Web.Http.Controllers.ExceptionFilterResult.<ExecuteAsync>d__6.MoveNext()\r\n--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---\r\n  at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()\r\n  at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)\r\n  at System.Web.Http.Dispatcher.HttpControllerDispatcher.<SendAsync>d__15.MoveNext()","innerException":{"message":"An error has occurred.","exceptionMessage":"The request was aborted: Could not create SSL/TLS secure channel.","exceptionType":"System.Net.WebException","stackTrace":"  at System.Net.HttpWebRequest.EndGetResponse(IAsyncResult asyncResult)\r\n  at System.Net.Http.HttpClientHandler.GetResponseCallback(IAsyncResult ar)"}  

 Exception: Sitecore.XConnect.XdbCollectionUnavailableException  
 Message: The HTTP response was not successful: Forbidden  
 Source: Sitecore.Xdb.Common.Web  
   at Sitecore.Xdb.Common.Web.Synchronous.SynchronousExtensions.SuspendContextLock[TResult](Func`1 taskFactory)  
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.XConnectSynchronousExtensions.SuspendContextLock(Func`1 taskFactory)  
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.Configuration.SitecoreXConnectClientConfiguration.Initialize(XmlNode configNode)  
   at Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert, IFactoryHelper helper)  
   at Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert)  
   at Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(String configPath, String[] parameters, Boolean assert)  
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.Configuration.SitecoreXConnectClientConfiguration.GetClient(String clientConfigPath)  
   at Sitecore.Analytics.Aggregation.XConnect.DefaultXdbContextFactory.CreateReadOnly()  
   at Sitecore.Analytics.Processing.AsyncPoolScheduler`2..ctor(IAsyncProcessingPool`1 pool, IXdbContextFactory xdbContextFactory, ExpandOptions options, Int16 maxBatchSize, BaseLog log)  
   at Sitecore.Analytics.Aggregation.InteractionAggregationAgent.<ExecuteCoreAsync>d__15.MoveNext()  
 --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---  
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)  
   at Sitecore.Analytics.Core.Agent.<ExecuteAsync>d__1.MoveNext()  
 --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---  
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)  
   at Sitecore.Analytics.Core.AsyncBackgroundService.<ExecuteAgentAsync>d__22.MoveNext()  
 --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---  
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()  
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)  
   at Sitecore.Analytics.Core.AsyncBackgroundService.<RunAsync>d__26.MoveNext()  

Fix - I missed to include the identifier role in the certificate, After including that role this issue got resolved,