Powershell: String variable not a valid hex string error

Question

I am trying to create a powershell script that pulls out the thumbprint of a certificate on a windows server so that I can use this thumbprint in a variable to use it in another command that creates a HTTPS listener.

I have managed to create the first step that works with the following command:

$thumbprint = (get-childitem -path cert:\localmachine\my | where-object {$_.subject -match $hostname+".xxx.com"}).thumbprint

So now i have the thumbprint saved in a variable.

Then i am trying to use the following command that works if i type in the contents of the $thumbprint value manually:

winrm create winrm/config/listener?Address=*+Transport=HTTPS '@{Hostname="$hostname";CertificateThumbprint="$thumbprint"}'

When running this command I get the following error:

Message = The WS-Management service cannot process the configuration request because the certificate thumbprint in the request is not a valid hex string: $thumbprint.

Does anyone know how I could solve this?

This works (manually typing the same value):

winrm create winrm/config/Listener?Address=*+Transport=HTTPS '@{Hostname="xxx.xxx.xxx";CertificateThumbprint="AF1D0F82070C4E3692BBF43747BAE74DED74A40A"}'

The contents of the $thumbprint variable is AF1D0F82070C4E3692BBF43747BAE74DED74A40A

user4003407 · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-25 12:30:18Z

4

Since you are using PowerShell, you can use WSMan PowerShell provider to configure WS-Management service:

New-Item WSMan:\localhost\Listener -Address * -Transport HTTPS -HostName $hostname -CertificateThumbPrint $thumbprint

answered Jun 25, 2015 at 12:30

user4003407

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2 Comments

lazerpld Over a year ago

Perfect @PetSerAl - always a good idea to solve a problem with a different approach. Works like a charm. In total i ended up using: winrm delete winrm/config/listener?Address=*+Transport=HTTPS $hostname = (gc env:computername)+".domain.net" $thumbprint = (get-childitem -path cert:\localmachine\my | where-object {$_.subject -match $hostname}).thumbprint New-Item WSMan:\localhost\Listener -Address * -Transport HTTPS -HostName $Hostname -CertificateThumbprint $thumbprint

Collin Thomas Over a year ago

@lazerpld this worked for me. I added the -Force:$true argument to the New-Item command

Mathias R. Jessen · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-25 22:48:54Z

1

Since the @{} part is enclosed by single-quotes, PowerShell won't expand variables like $thumbprint, so instead of passing the thumbprint to winrm, you're passing the literal value $thumbprint.

You can use the -f operator to replace a placeholder inside a single-quoted string. Placeholders are numbered and enclosed by curly brackets, so you need to escape the @{} brackets as well:

$WinRMConfig = '@{{Hostname="$hostname";CertificateThumbprint="{0}"}}' -f $thumbprint
winrm create winrm/config/listener?Address=*+Transport=HTTPS $WinRMConfig

edited Jun 25, 2015 at 22:48

answered Jun 25, 2015 at 12:02

Mathias R. Jessen

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2 Comments

lazerpld Over a year ago

Hi Mathias, Thanks for a very fast reply. I have tried: $WinRMConfig = '@{Hostname="xxx.xxx.xxx";CertificateThumbPrint="{0}"}' -f $thumbprint But i get the following error: Error formatting a string: Input string was not in a correct format.. At line:1 char:74 + $WinRMConfig = '@{Hostname="xxx.xxx.xxx";CertificateThumbPrint="{0}"}' -f <<<< $thumbprint + CategoryInfo : InvalidOperation: (AF1D0F82070C4E3692BBF43747BAE74DED74A40A:String) [], RuntimeException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : FormatError

Mathias R. Jessen Over a year ago

@lazerpld sorry, forgot to escape the enclosing curly brackets, updated answer

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