OPENSSL_CLEANSE(3) | Library Functions Manual | OPENSSL_CLEANSE(3)

# NAME

`OPENSSL_cleanse` — OpenSSL memory cleaning operation

# SYNOPSIS

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

void
`OPENSSL_cleanse`(void *ptr, size_t len);

# DESCRIPTION

Do not use the interface documented here. It is provided purely for compatibility with legacy application code.

`OPENSSL_cleanse`() has the same semantics as, and is a wrapper around, explicit_bzero(3).

# SEE ALSO

crypto(3)

# HISTORY

`OPENSSL_cleanse`() first appeared in OpenSSL 0.9.6h and has been available since OpenBSD 3.4.

June 8, 2025 | Debian