PH43530: NPE in JSP after 21.0.0.7

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• NullPointerException can possibly occur when JSP includes
  files that do no exist from taglib or include statements.
  
  Previously, there would just be a file not found message for
  referring
  to a non existent file, but now there might in some cases
  also be NPE.
  
  SRVE0777E: Exception thrown by application class
  'java.io.File.:277'
  java.lang.NullPointerException
  at java.io.File.(File.java:277)
  at
  com.ibm.ws.jsp.webcontainerext.JspDependent.isOutdated(JspDe
  pendent.java:84)
  at
  com.ibm.ws.jsp.webcontainerext.JspDependent.toString(JspDepe
  ndent.java:129)
  ...
  
  MDV issue is 85 (https://github.ibm.com/WASL3/MDV/issues/85)
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  All users of IBM WebSphere Application      *
  *                  Server Liberty - JavaServer Pages (JSP)     *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: NullPointerException in JSP             *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  When JSP refers to a file in a <%@ taglib %> statement that
  doesn't exist, in addition to the file not found error, in some
  cases there will also be a NullPointerException:
  SRVE0777E: Exception thrown by application class
  'java.io.File.:277'
  java.lang.NullPointerException
  at java.io.File.(File.java:277)
  at
  com.ibm.ws.jsp.webcontainerext.JspDependent.isOutdated(JspDepend
  ent.java:84)
  ...
  

Problem conclusion

• This fix corrects the NPE.
  
  The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in fix
  pack 22.0.0.2.  Please refer to the Recommended Updates page for
  delivery information:
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&uid=swg27004980
  

Temporary fix

• Correct the taglib in question, by either referring to a file
  that actually exists, or remove the taglib statement entirely.
  

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  WAS LIBERTY COR

• Fixed component ID

  5725L2900

Applicable component levels