SecretPopulationError - Invalid Character '/' Looking For Beginning Of Value

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Introduction

When performing a live push to a device in local mode using the Balena CLI, a SecretPopulationError may occur due to an invalid character '/' looking for the beginning of a value. This issue appears to be a recurrence of #2440. In this article, we will delve into the environment, steps to reproduce, expected behavior, actual behavior, and potential solutions to resolve this error.

Environment

  • Balena CLI: 21.1.9
  • Node.js: 20.19.0
  • macOS: 15.4.1 (24E263)

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Create a file at .balena/secrets/test-secret: Containing the string foo.
  2. Add the following .balena/balena.yml:
build-secrets:
  global:
    - source: test-secret
      dest: test-secret
  1. Push the code to a local-mode device using balena push device-id-here.local --debug

Expected Behavior

The build should start and complete successfully, using the secret as specified.

Actual Behavior

The build fails with a HTTP 500 error, referring to an invalid character.

[debug] new argv=[/opt/homebrew/Cellar/node@20/20.19.0_1/bin/node,/opt/homebrew/bin/balena,push,device-id-here.local] length=4
[debug] Deprecation check: 0.08218 days since last npm registry query for next major version release date.
[debug] Will not query the registry again until at least 7 days have passed.
[Debug]   Using build source directory: .
[Debug]   Pushing to local device: device-id-here.local
[Debug]   Checking we can access device
[Debug]   Sending request to http://ip-here:48484/ping
[Debug]   Checking device supervisor version: 16.12.7
[Info]    Starting build on device ip-here
[Debug]   Loading project...
[Debug]   Resolving project...
[Debug]   docker-compose.yaml file found at "."
[Debug]   Creating project...
[debug] Event tracking error: Timeout awaiting 'response' for 0ms
[Debug]   Tarring all non-ignored files...
[Debug]   Tarring complete in 448 ms
[Debug]   Fetching device information...
[Debug]   Sending request to http://ip-here:48484/v2/local/device-info
[Debug]   Found build tasks:
[Debug]       redis: image pull [redis:6.0.9-alpine]
[Debug]       server: build [.]
[Debug]   Resolving services with [raspberrypi5|aarch64]
[Debug]   Found project types:
[Debug]       redis: External image
[Debug]       server: Standard Dockerfile
[Debug]   Probing remote daemon for cache images
[Debug]   Using 6 on-device images for cache...
[Debug]   Starting builds...
(HTTP code 500) server error - invalid character '/' looking for beginning of value

SecretPopulationError: (HTTP code 500) error - invalid character '/' looking for beginning of value
    at populateSecrets (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/node_modules/@balena/compose/dist/multibuild/build-secrets/index.js:90:15)
    at process.processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:95:5)
    at async initializeBuildMetadata (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/node_modules/@balena/compose/dist/multibuild/index.js:171:9)
    at async Object.performBuilds (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/node_modules/@balena/compose/dist/multibuild/index.js:142:80)
    at async performBuilds (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/build/utils/device/deploy.js:225:25)
    at async awaitInterruptibleTask (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/build/utils/helpers.js:283:16)
    at async Object.deployToDevice (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/build/utils/device/deploy.js:127:24)
    at async PushCmd.pushToDevice (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/build/commands/push/index.js:96:13)
    at async PushCmd.run (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/build/commands/push/index.js:35:17)
    at async PushCmd._run (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/node_modules/@oclif/core/lib/command.js:181:22)
    at async Config.runCommand (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/node_modules/@oclif/core/lib/config/config.js:456:25)
    at async run (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/node_modules/@oclif/core/lib/main.js:96:16)
    at async /opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/build/app.js:78:13
    at async Promise.all (index 2)
    at async oclifRun (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/build/app.js:97:5)
    at async Object.run (/opt/homebrew/Cellar/balena-cli/21.1.9/libexec/lib/node_modules/balena-cli/build/app.js:110:9)

Removing the balena.yml file allows the build to proceed as expected.

Potential Solutions

  1. Update the Balena CLI: Ensure that the Balena CLI is up-to-date, as this issue may be resolved in a newer version.
  2. Check balena.yml file: Verify that the balena.yml file is correctly formatted and does not contain any invalid characters.
  3. Disable secret population: Temporarily disable secret population by removing the build-secrets section from the balena.yml file.
  4. Contact Balena Support: If none of the above solutions work, contact Balena support for further assistance.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the SecretPopulationError with an invalid character '/' looking for the beginning of a value, which can occur during live pushes to devices in local mode. In this Q&A article, we will address some of the most frequently asked questions related to this issue.

Q: What is the SecretPopulationError?

A: The SecretPopulationError is an error that occurs when the Balena CLI fails to populate secrets during a live push to a device in local mode. This error is typically accompanied by a message indicating that an invalid character '/' is looking for the beginning of a value.

Q: What causes the SecretPopulationError?

A: The SecretPopulationError can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Invalid balena.yml file: The balena.yml file may contain invalid characters or formatting, which can prevent the Balena CLI from populating secrets correctly.
  • Outdated Balena CLI: Using an outdated version of the Balena CLI may cause compatibility issues and lead to the SecretPopulationError.
  • Device configuration issues: Problems with the device configuration, such as incorrect IP addresses or port numbers, can also contribute to the SecretPopulationError.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the SecretPopulationError?

A: To troubleshoot the SecretPopulationError, follow these steps:

  1. Check the balena.yml file: Verify that the balena.yml file is correctly formatted and does not contain any invalid characters.
  2. Update the Balena CLI: Ensure that the Balena CLI is up-to-date, as this issue may be resolved in a newer version.
  3. Disable secret population: Temporarily disable secret population by removing the build-secrets section from the balena.yml file.
  4. Check device configuration: Verify that the device configuration is correct, including IP addresses and port numbers.

Q: Can I prevent the SecretPopulationError from occurring?

A: Yes, you can prevent the SecretPopulationError from occurring by:

  • Using a correctly formatted balena.yml file: Ensure that the balena.yml file is correctly formatted and does not contain any invalid characters.
  • Keeping the Balena CLI up-to-date: Regularly update the Balena CLI to ensure that you have the latest version.
  • Verifying device configuration: Double-check the device configuration to ensure that it is correct.

Q: What should I do if I am still experiencing issues?

A: If you are still experiencing issues after trying the troubleshooting steps outlined above, contact Balena support for further assistance. They will be able to provide you with more detailed guidance and help you resolve the issue.

Conclusion

The SecretPopulationError with an invalid character '/' looking for the beginning of a value is a recurring issue that can occur during live pushes to devices in local mode. By understanding the causes and troubleshooting steps outlined in this Q&A article, you can better navigate this issue and ensure a smooth deployment. If you have any further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to Balena support for assistance.