How To Downgrade OpenSSL using apt-get

In this article, we will cover the process of downgrading OpenSSL using the apt-get command in Ubuntu. OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade, and full-featured toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. However, there might be instances where you need to downgrade to a specific version due to compatibility issues or other reasons.

Please note that downgrading OpenSSL can introduce security risks and is generally not recommended. Always ensure you understand the implications before proceeding.

Checking Your Ubuntu Version

Before we start, it’s important to know the version of your Ubuntu release. This can be done by running the following command in your terminal:

lsb_release -a

This command will provide you with the necessary details about your Ubuntu version.

Verifying Available OpenSSL Versions

Next, you need to check the available versions of OpenSSL for your Ubuntu release. You can do this by visiting the OpenSSL package page on Launchpad. Here’s the URL for your convenience:

https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/openssl

On this page, you will see a list of available versions. Look for the version you desire and make a note of it.

Downgrading OpenSSL

If the desired version of OpenSSL is available in the repositories, you can downgrade it using the apt-get install command followed by the package name and the version number. Here’s how:

sudo apt-get install openssl=<version>

In the above command, replace <version> with the specific version number you wish to install. The sudo command is used to execute the command as a superuser, apt-get install is the command used to install or upgrade packages, and openssl=<version> specifies the package and the version number.

Manually Downloading and Installing OpenSSL

If the desired version is not available in the repositories, you will need to manually download and install the package.

First, visit the page for the specific version you want on Launchpad. For example:

https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/openssl/1.0.1-4ubuntu5.31

On this page, you will find download links for different architectures. Download the appropriate package for your system (e.g., openssl_1.0.1-4ubuntu5.31_amd64.deb) and save it to a directory on your system.

Next, install the downloaded package using the dpkg command as follows:

sudo dpkg -i /path/to/package.deb

In the above command, replace /path/to/package.deb with the actual path to the downloaded package. The dpkg -i command is used to install a package.

Conclusion

Downgrading OpenSSL using apt-get involves checking your Ubuntu version, verifying available OpenSSL versions, and then either using apt-get to install the desired version or manually downloading and installing the package. Remember, downgrading packages can introduce security risks and may not always solve the underlying problem. Always keep your system up to date with the latest security patches whenever possible.