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PK87717: MOD_CHARSET_LITE TRANSLATES INBOUND HTTP REQUEST BODIES

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APAR status

  • Closed as program error.

Error description

  • The character set translation provided by mod_charset_lite in
    IBM HTTP Server (IHS) is always symmetrical.  So if the output
    of a CGI is translated from EBCDIC to ASCII, the input request
    body will be translated from ASCII to EBCDIC.  That is not good
    if the input is a binary file.
    

Local fix

Problem summary

  • ****************************************************************
    * USERS AFFECTED: IBM HTTP Server users on z/OS who upload     *
    * binary files with CGIs                                       *
    ****************************************************************
    * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: If mod_charset_lite translates output   *
    * from EBCDIC to ASCII, the input request body is translated   *
    * from ASCII to EBCDIC.  If this is a binary file, the file is *
    * mangled.                                                     *
    ****************************************************************
    * RECOMMENDATION: Apply this fix if you want to upload binary  *
    * files with CGIs on z/OS.                                     *
    ****************************************************************
    When mod_charset_lite is configured to translate the output of
    an EBCDIC CGI program to ASCII, the input request body (i.e.
    POST data) goes through the reverse translation because it is
    assumed to be text.  If the input request body is really a
    binary file, the file gets mangled.
    

Problem conclusion

  • This APAR adds support for the following configuration option:
    
    CharsetOptions NoTranslateRequestBodies
    When this is specified, mod_charset_lite will not translate
    input data.  This allows EBCDIC CGIs to upload binary files.
    

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

  • APAR number

    PK87717

  • Reported component name

    WAS IHS ZOS

  • Reported component ID

    5655I3510

  • Reported release

    700

  • Status

    CLOSED PER

  • PE

    NoPE

  • HIPER

    NoHIPER

  • Special Attention

    NoSpecatt / Xsystem

  • Submitted date

    2009-06-01

  • Closed date

    2009-08-18

  • Last modified date

    2012-08-08

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

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

Modules/Macros

  • CHARSET
    

Fix information

  • Fixed component name

    WAS IHS ZOS

  • Fixed component ID

    5655I3510

Applicable component levels

  • R610 PSY

       UP

  • R700 PSY

       UP

[{"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SS7K4U","label":"WebSphere Application Server for z\/OS"},"Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Version":"7.0","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
29 December 2021