PK72753: New property to not log user argument to wsadmin trace

Fixes are available

APAR status

Closed as program error.

Error description

When running a script and passing the password in clear text,
the database password will be shown in the trace.

[9/11/08 15:51:42:218 CST] 0000000a AbstractShell A
WASX7303I: The following options are passed to the scripting
environment and are available as arguments that are stored in
the argv variable: "[-server, server1, -dbUser, db2admin,
-dbPassword, pwd4db2@dmin]"

Local fix

Problem summary

****************************************************************
* USERS AFFECTED:  All users of WebSphere Application Server   *
****************************************************************
* PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: If you pass a database password as a    *
*                      script argument in clear text the       *
*                      password is logged into wsadmin         *
*                      trace.                                  *
****************************************************************
* RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
****************************************************************
After run the migrateDB.py, check the wsadmin.trace file
and see the password is logged into the trace:

    [9/11/08 15:51:42:218 CST] 0000000a AbstractShell A
WASX7303I: The following options are passed to the scripting
environment and are available as arguments that are stored in
the argv variable: "[-server, server1, -dbUser, db2admin,
-dbPassword, pwd4db2@dmin]"

The wsadmin tool will provide a new system property for users
to indicate the argument number (noechoParmNo) to not output
to trace.

Problem conclusion

The wsadmin has never encryped any password and it is a user's
responsibility to not pass sensitive data or to pass passwords
in encrypted text to avoid security exposures.

The following suggestions are provided to resolve the issue:

1. Use an already defined wsadmin property
(com.ibm.ws.scripting.echoparams=false) to not output user
arguments when wsadmin is invoked

2. Put passwords in a file and pass the file name as a user
argument to the script

3. Pass passwords in encryped text instead of clear text (that
is, using Security utility PropFilePasswordEncoder to encode
passwords)

4. Enhance wsadmin to introduce a new property
"com.ibm.ws.scripting.noechoParamNo" for you to tell wsadmin
the parameter number that you do not want to output to the
wsadmin trace.

This APAR will implement #4 to introduce a new system property
and indicate the parameter number (or numbers) do not output.

1.Create a new text file containing the following line:

com.ibm.ws.scripting.noechoParamNo=2,4 ====>  don't output
script param No 2 and 4

2. Invoke wsadmin with -p <textfile>  (and -f <scriptfile>
params .....

The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in
fix packs 6.1.0.21 and 7.0.0.1.  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 number
PK72753
Reported component name
WEBS APP SERV N
Reported component ID
5724H8800
Reported release
61W
Status
CLOSED PER
PE
NoPE
HIPER
NoHIPER
Special Attention
NoSpecatt
Submitted date
2008-09-24
Closed date
2008-10-07
Last modified date
2008-10-07

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
WEBS APP SERV N
Fixed component ID
5724H8800

Applicable component levels

R700 PSY
UP

[{"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SSEQTP","label":"WebSphere Application Server"},"Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Version":"6.1","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
29 December 2021

Tips

PK72753: New property to not log user argument to wsadmin trace

Fixes are available

Subscribe

APAR status

Closed as program error.

Error description

Local fix

Problem summary

Problem conclusion

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

APAR number

Reported component name

Reported component ID

Reported release

Status

PE

HIPER

Special Attention

Submitted date

Closed date

Last modified date

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

Fixed component ID

Applicable component levels

R700 PSY

Document Information

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