PH44627: NPE in JSP after 21.0.0.7 when skipMetaInfResourcesProcessing=true

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• NullPointerException can possibly occur when JSP includes
  files under WEB-INF and web container property
  skipMetaInfResourcesProcessing=true.
  
  Previously, there would just be a file not found message for
  referring
  to a file suppressed by
  skipMetaInfResourcesProcessing=true, but now there might
  also be NPE.
  
  java.lang.NullPointerException
          at java.base/java.io.File.<init>(File.java:278)
  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 91.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  All users of IBM WebSphere Application      *
  *                  Server Liberty - JavaServer Pages (JSP)     *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: NullPointerException in JSP with        *
  *                      WebContainer property                   *
  *                      skipMetaInfResourcesProcessing=true     *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  NullPointerException can possibly occur when JSP includes files
  under WEB-INF and web container property
  skipMetaInfResourcesProcessing=true.
  
  Previously, there would just be a file not found message for
  referring to a file suppressed by
  skipMetaInfResourcesProcessing=true, but now there might also be
  NPE.  The levels of Liberty affected are 21.0.0.7 through
  22.0.0.3.
  
  java.lang.NullPointerException
          at java.base/java.io.File.<init>(File.java:278)
          at
  com.ibm.ws.jsp.webcontainerext.JspDependent.isOutdated(JspDepend
  ent.java:84)
          at
  com.ibm.ws.jsp.webcontainerext.JspDependent.toString(JspDependen
  t.java:129)
  ...
  

Problem conclusion

• This fix corrects the NPE.
  
  The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in fix
  pack 22.0.0.4.  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 include or taglib statement to use a file outside of
  WEB-INF or change WebContainer property
  skipMetaInfResourcesProcessing to false.
  

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