PI27294: NULLPOINTEREXCEPTION IN CONFIGSIGNER

8.5.5.4: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 4
8.5.5.5: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 5
8.5.5.6: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 6
8.5.5.7: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 7
8.5.5.8: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 8
8.5.5.9: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 9
8.5.5.10: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 10
8.5.5.11: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 11
8.5.5.12: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 12
8.5.5.13: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 13
8.5.5.14: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 14
8.5.5.15: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 15
8.5.5.14: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 14
8.5.5.17: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 17
8.5.5.20: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5.20
8.5.5.18: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 18
8.5.5.19: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 19
8.5.5.16: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 16
8.5.5.21: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5.21

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• Internal testing revealed a potential for a NullPointerException
  in the ConfigSigner class's sign method.  This could occur if
  the method caught another exception whose message was null.
  This NullPointerException would mask the initial exception.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  Users of IBM WebSphere Application Server   *
  *                  Liberty Profile servers who sign their      *
  *                  configuration files                         *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: Possible NullPointerException could     *
  *                      mask the real underlying problem while  *
  *                      signing configuration files             *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  If a problem occurred while signing a configuration file, such
  as server.xml, and the resulting exception contained a null
  message, the sign method in the ConfigSigner class would throw a
  NullPointerException, but the underlying exception would be lost
  and not logged.  The user would only see the
  NullPointerException in ConfigSigner which is not much help in
  understanding what the real problem is.
  

Problem conclusion

• The fix for this APAR ensures that the initial exception is
  surfaced so that a user or IBM support can more quickly identify
  the source of the problem and resolve it.
  
  The fix for this APAR
  is currently targeted for inclusion in fix pack 8.5.5.4.  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

• R855 PSY

     UP