PK51478: JAVA.LANG.NULLPOINTEREXCEPTION WHEN USING EXTENDED DOCUMENT ROOT AND RESOURCE DOES NOT EXIST

 Fixes are available

5.1.1.17: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 17 for AIX
5.1.1.17: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 17 for HP-UX
5.1.1.19: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 19 for Linux
5.1.1.18: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 18 for AIX
5.1.1.18: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 18 for HP-UX
5.1.1.18: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 18 for Solaris
5.1.1.18: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 18 for Windows
5.1.1.18: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 18 for Linux
5.1.1.17: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 17 for Linux
5.1.1.17: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 17 for Solaris
5.1.1.17: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 17 for Windows
5.1.1.19: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 19 for AIX
5.1.1.19: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 19 for Windows
5.1.1.19: WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1 Cumulative Fix 19 for HP-UX



APAR status
Closed as program error.

Error description
Access of an applicaiton gives 404 : /Missing .jsp on the
browser and no exception in the server logs for WebSphere
version 5.1.1.12
The Below exception is noticed in the Server SystemOut.log
while accessing the same application on any of the WebSphere
version from 5.1.1.13 to 5.1.1.15.

******************************************************
SRVE0026E: [Servlet Error]-[Unable to compile class for JSP]:
java.lang.NullPointerException
 at
com.ibm.ws.util.ExtendedDocumentRootUtils.handleExtendedDocument
Roots(ExtendedDocumentRootUtils.java:160)
 at
com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.jsp.compiler.IBMJspCompiler.isOutDated(I
BMJspCompiler.java:74)
 at
com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.jsp.servlet.JspServlet.loadJSP(JspServle
t.java:967)
 at
com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.jsp.servlet.JspServlet$JspServletWrapper
.loadIfNecessary(JspServlet.java:327)
 at
com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.jsp.servlet.JspServlet$JspServletWrapper
.service(JspServlet.java:359)
 at
com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.jsp.servlet.JspServlet.serviceJspFile(Js
pServlet.java:745)
 at
com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.jsp.servlet.JspServlet.service(JspServle
t.java:843)
 at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:853)
*************************************************
Local fix
Test fix provided to the customer..
Problem summary
****************************************************************
* USERS AFFECTED: IBM WebSphere Application Server Version 5.1 *
*                 users of the extended document root with     *
*                 their applications.                          *
****************************************************************
* PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: A NullPointerException is thrown when   *
*                      a resource is called that does not      *
*                      exist and the web application is        *
*                      configured to use an extended doucument *
*                      root.                                   *
****************************************************************
* RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
****************************************************************
When a web application is configured to use an extended
document root to look for resources, a NullPointerException
can occur if the resource does not exist.  An example of stack
trace for a Java Server Page(JSP) that does not exists is:

java.lang.NullPointerException  at
com.ibm.ws.util.ExtendedDocumentRootUtils.handleExtendedDocument
Roots(ExtendedDocumentRootUtils.java:160)
 at
com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.jsp.compiler.IBMJspCompiler.isOutDated
(IBMJspCompiler.java:74)
 at
com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.jsp.servlet.JspServlet.loadJSP
(JspServlet.java:967)
 at
...

The result of this exception is an Internal Server Error (500)
returned to the user instead of a FileNotFoundException (404)
return code.
Problem conclusion
This issue is caused by APAR 
PK27624 which was included in
fixpack 5.1.1.13 and only occurs on WebSphere Application Server
Version 5.1.
The WebContainer code was modified to check if the object is
null before calling a method on it.

The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in
fixpack 5.1.1.17. 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 PK51478
Reported component name WEBSPHERE BASE
Reported component ID 5630A3600
Reported release 10A
Status CLOSED PER
PE NoPE
HIPER NoHIPER
Special Attention NoSpecatt
Submitted date 2007-08-22
Closed date 2007-09-13
Last modified date 2008-01-02

APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Modules/Macros
ENGINE          

Publications Referenced

Fix information
Fixed component name WEBSPHERE BASE
Fixed component ID 5630A3600

Applicable component levels
R003 PSN    UP
R00A PSN    UP
R00H PSN    UP
R00I PSN    UP
R00P PSN    UP
R00S PSN    UP
R00W PSN    UP
R103 PSY    UP
R10A PSY    UP
R10H PSY    UP
R10I PSY    UP
R10P PSY    UP
R10S PSY    UP
R10W PSY    UP


Document Information


Product categories: Software > Application Servers > Distributed Application & Web Servers > WebSphere Application Server > General
Operating system(s):
Software version: 10A
Software edition:
Reference #: PK51478
IBM Group: Software Group
Modified date: Jan 2, 2008