gnome-session-binary generates GBytes of Errors in Syslog

What is the output of:

lsb_release -a; uname -a; grep -r ppa /etc/apt/*

Thanks

Have you already tried logging off and logging on again, or eventually rebooting? Does the problem continue afterwards?

Maybe Bug #1636573

What is the output of
apt-cache policy python-cryptography python-openssl
(and the output as asked by actionparsnip)

royg@Kodi:~$ lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS
Release: 16.04
Codename: xenial

royg@Kodi:~$ uname -a
Linux Kodi 4.4.0-59-generic #80-Ubuntu SMP Fri Jan 6 17:47:47 UTC 2017 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

grep -r ppa /etc/apt/* produces many thousands of lines of output, which I am unable to upload, as I don't seem to have file attachment privileges.

royg@Kodi:~$ apt-cache policy python-cryptography python-openssl
python-cryptography:
  Installed: 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1

Please let me know if you need any further information.

Many thanks for your assistance.

RoyG
  Candidate: 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1
  Version table:
 *** 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1.2.3-1 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
python-openssl:
  Installed: 0.15.1-2build1
  Candidate: 0.15.1-2build1
  Version table:
 *** 0.15.1-2build1 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main i386 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

There is no possibility to upload attachments to answers.launchpad.net. You could try pastebin.ubuntu.com, or probably better is changing the command into

grep ppa /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list.d/*.list

In Bug #1636573 there is a workaround listed that might help (not tested by me):

wget https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+archive/primary/+files/python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb
wget https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+archive/primary/+files/python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb

I am having this issue as well.

Specifically it is caused by Kodi running the "artworkorganizer" addon (~/.kodi/userdata/addon_data/script.artworkorganizer)

When this is running, the process goes nuts in writing out to unity7.log (and that script essentially goes into an infinite loop filling up the hdd. My file was almost 200gb in size)

I have tried the workaround you mentioned, but I get the following error:

$ sudo dpkg -i python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb
dpkg: regarding python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb containing python-cryptography:
 python-cryptography breaks python-openssl (<< 16.0.0)
  python-openssl (version 0.15.1-2build1) is present and installed.

dpkg: error processing archive python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb (--install):
 installing python-cryptography would break python-openssl, and
 deconfiguration is not permitted (--auto-deconfigure might help)
Errors were encountered while processing:
 python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb

$ lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS
Release: 16.04
Codename: xenial

$ uname -a
Linux media-pc 4.4.0-59-generic #80-Ubuntu SMP Fri Jan 6 17:47:47 UTC 2017 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

$ grep -r ppa /etc/apt/*
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/libretro-ubuntu-stable-wily.list.distUpgrade:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/libretro/stable/ubuntu wily main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/libretro-ubuntu-stable-wily.list.distUpgrade:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/libretro/stable/ubuntu wily main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-ppa-wily.list.distUpgrade:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu wily main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-ppa-wily.list.distUpgrade:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu wily main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/libretro-ubuntu-stable-xenial.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/libretro/stable/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-ppa-wily.list.save:# deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu xenial main # disabled on upgrade to xenial
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-ppa-wily.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu wily main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/libretro-ubuntu-stable-wily.list:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/libretro/stable/ubuntu xenial main # disabled on upgrade to xenial
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/libretro-ubuntu-stable-wily.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/libretro/stable/ubuntu wily main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-ppa-wily.list:# deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu xenial main # disabled on upgrade to xenial
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-ppa-wily.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu wily main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/libretro-ubuntu-stable-wily.list.save:# deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/libretro/stable/ubuntu xenial main # disabled on upgrade to xenial
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/libretro-ubuntu-stable-wily.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/libretro/stable/ubuntu wily main

Update, I re-read the message, and installed python-setuptools first. I was then able to install both packages with --auto-deconfigure.

Once I had done that, the issue is resolved, and the Kodi addon works as expected without log spamming.

Hi Jason,

I saw your last comments on issue with python Cryptograhy where the unity7.log was filled up and consumed full disk space.
I tried to follow the steps but it has left my system broken and I am unable to proceed further or bring my server back to normal.
please can you help me fix this.

lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS
Release: 16.04
Codename: xenial

uname -a
Linux rsbserver 4.4.0-65-generic #86-Ubuntu SMP Thu Feb 23 17:49:58 UTC 2017 x86 _64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

 grep -r ppa /etc/apt/*
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/transmissionbt-ubuntu-ppa-xenial.list.save:# deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/transmissionbt/ppa/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/transmissionbt-ubuntu-ppa-xenial.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/transmissionbt/ppa/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/webupd8team-ubuntu-java-xenial.list:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/webupd8team/java/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/webupd8team-ubuntu-java-xenial.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/webupd8team/java/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/webupd8team-ubuntu-java-xenial.list.save:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/webupd8team/java/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/webupd8team-ubuntu-java-xenial.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/webupd8team/java/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-ppa-xenial.list:# deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-ppa-xenial.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-kodi-old-xenial.list.save:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/kodi-old/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-kodi-old-xenial.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/kodi-old/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/transmissionbt-ubuntu-ppa-xenial.list:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/transmissionbt/ppa/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/transmissionbt-ubuntu-ppa-xenial.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/transmissionbt/ppa/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/transmissionbt-ubuntu-ppa-xenial.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/transmissionbt/ppa/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-ppa-xenial.list.save:# deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-ppa-xenial.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-kodi-old-xenial.list:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/kodi-old/ubuntu xenial main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ubuntu-kodi-old-xenial.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/kodi-old/ubuntu xenial main

apt-cache policy python-cryptography python-openssl
python-cryptography:
  Installed: 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1
  Candidate: 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1
  Version table:
 *** 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1.2.3-1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
python-openssl:
  Installed: 16.2.0-1
  Candidate: 16.2.0-1
  Version table:
 *** 16.2.0-1 100
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     0.15.1-2build1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main i386 Packages

Trying to install python setup tools
install python-setuptools
[sudo] password for rahul:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
You might want to run 'apt-get -f install' to correct these:
The following packages have unmet dependencies.
 python-openssl : Depends: python-cryptography (>= 1.3.4) but 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1 is to be installed
E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt-get -f install' with no packages (or specify a solution).

If I Try 'apt-get -f install' then the system wants to remove lot of packages which I dont want to.
Please help how can i correct my system.

I managed to restore my system following the advice in this link
http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/218911/help-me-repair-my-python-i-think-dpkg-has-to-be-reset-very-tricky-issue

Now the main issue remains
How to fix the cryptography message which is flooding the unity7.log file.
A detailed guide with explanation will be really helpful.

Thanks

What is now the output of
apt-cache policy python-cryptography python-openssl
?

I assume that the workaround in Bug #1636573 (not tested by me) has to be executed with the commands:

wget https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+archive/primary/+files/python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb
wget https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+archive/primary/+files/python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb

Hi Manfred,
Thanks for looking into this. I tried to follow the workaround but seems something is missing.
Jason seem to have followed the workaround and has been able to successfully surpass the issue.
I wanted a detail steps to follow as I am noob in ubuntu.

here is the output you have requested.

apt-cache policy python-cryptography python-openssl
python-cryptography:
  Installed: 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1
  Candidate: 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1
  Version table:
 *** 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1.2.3-1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
python-openssl:
  Installed: 0.15.1-2build1
  Candidate: 0.15.1-2build1
  Version table:
 *** 0.15.1-2build1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main i386 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

What output do you receive when you try the three commands from comment #9?

Hi Manfred,

I deleted my existing downloaded .deb files and re downloaded using wget commands. then using dpkg command the output is as below,

sudo dpkg -i python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb
dpkg: regarding python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb containing python-cryptography:
 python-cryptography breaks python-openssl (<< 16.0.0)
  python-openssl (version 0.15.1-2build1) is present and installed.

dpkg: error processing archive python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb (--install):
 installing python-cryptography would break python-openssl, and
 deconfiguration is not permitted (--auto-deconfigure might help)
(Reading database ... 320718 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb ...
Unpacking python-openssl (16.2.0-1) over (0.15.1-2build1) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of python-openssl:
 python-openssl depends on python-cryptography (>= 1.3.4); however:
  Version of python-cryptography on system is 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1.

dpkg: error processing package python-openssl (--install):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Errors were encountered while processing:
 python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb
 python-openssl

When again checking the installed version, i get this - python cryptography is still the old version and python-openssl is installed with new version but is broken.

apt-cache policy python-cryptography python-openssl
python-cryptography:
  Installed: 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1
  Candidate: 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1
  Version table:
 *** 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1.2.3-1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
python-openssl:
  Installed: 16.2.0-1
  Candidate: 16.2.0-1
  Version table:
 *** 16.2.0-1 100
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     0.15.1-2build1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main i386 Packages

When I do install -f, it asks to remove the below packages, i am particularly concerned about letsencrpyt since i use this for certificates for apache .

sudo apt install -f
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Correcting dependencies... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  augeas-lenses libaugeas0 linux-headers-4.4.0-64 linux-headers-4.4.0-64-generic linux-image-4.4.0-64-generic
  linux-image-extra-4.4.0-64-generic python-augeas python-cffi-backend python-configargparse python-configobj python-cryptography
  python-dialog python-enum34 python-funcsigs python-idna python-ipaddress python-mock python-parsedatetime python-pbr
  python-psutil python-pyasn1 python-pyicu python-requests python-rfc3339 python-tz python-urllib3 python-zope.component
  python-zope.event python-zope.hookable python-zope.interface
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.
The following packages will be REMOVED
  letsencrypt python-acme python-letsencrypt python-letsencrypt-apache python-ndg-httpsclient python-openssl
0 to upgrade, 0 to newly install, 6 to remove and 7 not to upgrade.
1 not fully installed or removed.
After this operation, 1,639 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] n
Abort.

What do you get if you reverse the sequence

sudo dpkg -i python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb

or split in into two and force installing
sudo dpkg -i --force-depends python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb

Remark: It should be possible to bring the system back into a consistent state with the command
sudo apt-get install python-openssl=0.15.1-2build1
(eventually you have add "-f" to the command)

Tried the force option, but somehow it doesn't install at all.

sudo dpkg -i --force-depends python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb
dpkg: regarding python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb containing python-cryptography:
 python-cryptography breaks python-openssl (<< 16.0.0)
  python-openssl (version 0.15.1-2build1) is present and installed.

dpkg: error processing archive python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb (--install):
 installing python-cryptography would break python-openssl, and
 deconfiguration is not permitted (--auto-deconfigure might help)
Errors were encountered while processing:
 python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb

apt-cache policy python-cryptography
python-cryptography:
  Installed: 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1
  Candidate: 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1
  Version table:
 *** 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1.2.3-1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages

Maybe the other one first:

sudo dpkg -i --force-depends python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb

Hi Manfred,

This sequence seems to have worked. I had to additionally install python-setuptools, please see below sequence.
Now I have to monitor the unity7.log file it is ok or still flooding with cryptography message.
Thanks a lot for your time and help. much appreciated.

sudo dpkg -i --force-depends python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb
[sudo] password for rahul:
(Reading database ... 288413 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack python-openssl_16.2.0-1_all.deb ...
Unpacking python-openssl (16.2.0-1) over (0.15.1-2build1) ...
dpkg: python-openssl: dependency problems, but configuring anyway as you requested:
 python-openssl depends on python-cryptography (>= 1.3.4); however:
  Version of python-cryptography on system is 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1.

Setting up python-openssl (16.2.0-1) ...

sudo dpkg -i python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb
(Reading database ... 288405 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack python-cryptography_1.7.1-2_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking python-cryptography (1.7.1-2) over (1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of python-cryptography:
 python-cryptography depends on python-setuptools (>= 11.3); however:
  Package python-setuptools is not installed.

dpkg: error processing package python-cryptography (--install):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Errors were encountered while processing:
 python-cryptography

Then Installed python-setuptools as suggested in above output

sudo apt install python-setuptools
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Suggested packages:
  python-setuptools-doc
The following NEW packages will be installed
  python-setuptools
0 to upgrade, 1 to newly install, 0 to remove and 0 not to upgrade.
1 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 169 kB of archives.
After this operation, 530 kB of additional disk space will be used.
Get:1 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 python-setuptools all 20.7.0-1 [169 kB]
Fetched 169 kB in 0s (652 kB/s)
Selecting previously unselected package python-setuptools.
(Reading database ... 288410 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../python-setuptools_20.7.0-1_all.deb ...
Unpacking python-setuptools (20.7.0-1) ...
Setting up python-setuptools (20.7.0-1) ...
Setting up python-cryptography (1.7.1-2) ...

Checking current installed versions

apt-cache policy python-cryptography python-openssl
python-cryptography:
  Installed: 1.7.1-2
  Candidate: 1.7.1-2
  Version table:
 *** 1.7.1-2 100
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security/main amd64 Packages
     1.2.3-1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
python-openssl:
  Installed: 16.2.0-1
  Candidate: 16.2.0-1
  Version table:
 *** 16.2.0-1 100
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     0.15.1-2build1 500
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main i386 Packages

Gracias creo que me funcionó lo del #15 pero en orden invertido ya que al ejecutar el primer comando una de las cosas que imprimió es:
python-openssl depende de python-cryptography (>= 1.3.4); sin embargo:
  La versión de `python-cryptography' en el sistema es 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1.

así que los ejecute en orden inverso, y no salio ningún error, solamente:

Configurando python-cryptography (1.7.1-2) ...

Configurando python-openssl (16.2.0-1) ...

Thank you

I had this problem happen after updates were installed by Software Updater. I followed a workaround I found. I think basically I uninstalled and reinstalled all the python stuff. However the problem has happened again, after another round of updates by Software Updater.

It is unacceptable to have to keep doing workarounds like this. There is either a problem with the Python 2.7 packages installed by Software Updater. or an incompatible change has been make to Python crypto that has broken some applications. Either way this needs to be fixed.

@Mark:
Which Ubuntu release are you running, what version of python-cryptography and python-openssl do you have installed?
You better comment on the related bug report or create a question document of your own instead of piggybacking on somebody else's question.

Ubuntu 16.04, python-openssl 0.15.1-2build1, python-cryptography 1.2.3-1ubuntu0.1 and Kodi 17.3.

I do not feel I was piggybacking. I have this exact problem and was providing 2 new pieces of information: that the problem was introduced by a regular software update and reintroduced, after manually fixing it, by a subsequent regular update.

Thanks for the link to the related bug. I have commented over there.