PH14619: ServletContext.getRealPath() shouldn't return null for nonexistent files

19.0.0.8: WebSphere Application Server Liberty 19.0.0.8
19.0.0.9: WebSphere Application Server Liberty 19.0.0.9
19.0.0.10: WebSphere Application Server Liberty 19.0.0.10
19.0.0.11: WebSphere Application Server Liberty 19.0.0.11
19.0.0.12: WebSphere Application Server Liberty 19.0.0.12
20.0.0.1: WebSphere Application Server Liberty 20.0.0.1
20.0.0.2: WebSphere Application Server Liberty 20.0.0.2
20.0.0.3: WebSphere Application Server Liberty 20.0.0.3
20.0.0.4: WebSphere Application Server Liberty 20.0.0.4
20.0.0.5: WebSphere Application Server Liberty 20.0.0.5

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• Note, this APAR item is being used for informational
  purposes.  The fix has been delivered in Open Liberty via
  OLGH5035.  See
  https://github.com/OpenLiberty/open-liberty/issues/5035
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  Users of                                    *
  *                  javax.servlet.ServletContext.getRealPath(St *
  *                  ring) on WebSphere Liberty                  *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: ServletContext.getRealPath(String       *
  *                      path)                                   *
  *                      returns null when no resource exists    *
  *                      for the path argument                   *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  WebSphere Liberty returns null when
  ServletContext.getRealPath(String path) is called with a path
  referencing a resource that does not exist. This behavior is
  inconsistent with traditional WebSphere, which returns a path
  even if no resource exists at the path.
  

Problem conclusion

• Calls made on WebSphere Liberty to
  ServletContext.getRealPath(String path) will now return a
  translated path for the given path argument, even if no resource
  exists at that path. Note that if application autoExpand is
  disabled, then null will continue to be returned for all paths.
  
  A new WebContainer property has been added to control this
  behavior: com.ibm.ws.getRealPathReturnsQualifiedPath
  (true/false, default=true)  When getRealPathReturnsQualifiedPath
  is set to false, the previous behavior will be enabled - and
  null will once again be returned for paths at which no resource
  exists.
  
  This has been resolved in Open Liberty under issue #5035:
  https://github.com/OpenLiberty/open-liberty/issues/5035
  
  The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in fix
  pack 19.0.0.8.  Please refer to the Recommended Updates page for
  delivery information:
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&uid=swg27004980
  

Temporary fix

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

• RCD0 PSY

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