OPENSSL_CLEANSE(3)

📦 version 4.4.0, in alpine 3.24, arch rolling

💖 NAME 💖

OPENSSL_cleanse — OpenSSL memory cleaning operation

okay bestie, welcome to OPENSSL_CLEANSE(3) from the Library Functions Manual. yes, the title is right there, we’re doing this ✨

🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

library “libcrypto” #include <openssl/crypto.h>

void
OPENSSL_cleanse(void *ptr, size_t len);

🎀 DESCRIPTION 🎀

🚨 real talk: do not use the interface documented here. It is provided purely for compatibility with legacy application code. no cap, that’s the whole vibe.

OPENSSL_cleanse() has the same semantics as, and is a wrapper around, explicit_bzero(3). literally the same behavior, just wrapped up cute 💅

🦋 SEE ALSO 🦋

🌈 HISTORY 🌈

OPENSSL_cleanse() first appeared in OpenSSL 0.9.6h and has been available since OpenBSD 3.4. iconic timeline behavior 👑

cute sign-off: this page is from Debian, dated June 8, 2025, and it’s serving OPENSSL_CLEANSE(3) from the Library Functions Manual 🫶💖

📦 where this page comes from