[tor-bugs] #32438 [Applications/Tor Launcher]: Inconsistent failure-then-success bootstrap behavior with clock set 24h in the past

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#32438: Inconsistent failure-then-success bootstrap behavior with clock set 24h in
the past
-------------------------------------+-------------------------------------
     Reporter:  intrigeri            |      Owner:  brade
         Type:  defect               |     Status:  new
     Priority:  Medium               |  Milestone:
    Component:  Applications/Tor     |    Version:
  Launcher                           |   Keywords:  bootstrap, clock-skew,
     Severity:  Normal               |  usability, ux, s8-errors,
                                     |  AffectsTails
Actual Points:                       |  Parent ID:  #23508
       Points:                       |   Reviewer:
      Sponsor:                       |
-------------------------------------+-------------------------------------
 Context: I'm investigating which part of Tails' crazy clock fixing dance
 we can remove thanks to
 https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/24661. Corresponding Tails
 ticket: https://redmine.tails.boum.org/code/issues/16471.

 Environment: Tor Browser 9.0.1 x86_64 on Debian unstable, clock set 24h
 before UTC. Tested both with direct connection to the Tor network and with
 bridges.

 The first time I click "Connect" in Tor Launcher, I see a bootstrapping
 error (see attached screenshot and Tor logs):

 {{{
 Tor failed to establish a Tor network connection.

 Loading authority certificates failed (Clock skew -81944 in microdesc
 flavor consensus from CONSENSUS - ?).
 }}}

 I guess that's kind of expected despite the improvements implemented as
 part of https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/24661.

 But then, if I click "Reconfigure" and then "Connect", tor bootstraps
 successfully. This surprises me and feels inconsistent: the way I see it,
 either the clock is skewed enough for tor to fail bootstrapping, and then
 it should not succeed on second try; or tor can somehow deal with skewed
 clock, and then it should succeed on first try.

--
Ticket URL: <https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/32438>
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