Fix (APAR):  PH36923

Status:  Fix

Release:  9.0.0.11,9.0.0.10,9.0.0.9,9.0.0.8,9.0.0.7,9.0.0.6,9.0.0.5,9.0.0.4,9.0.0.3,9.0.0.2,9.0.0.1,9.0.0.0

Operating System:  AIX,HP-UX,IBM i,Linux,Solaris,Windows,z/OS

Supersedes Fixes:  PH34711

CMVC Defect:  xxxxxx

Byte size of APAR:  296324

Date: 2021-06-01

Abstract:  java.lang.NullPointerException caused by PH34711

Description/symptom of problem:  

PH36923 resolves the following problem:

ERROR DESCRIPTION:
java.lang.NullPointerException caused by PH34711

LOCAL FIX:
None

PROBLEM SUMMARY:

NOTE: The WebSphere 9 release is unaffected by this issue, however this PH36923 iFix has been generated for all releases since all of PH34711 is superseded by this newer fix. The original text is provided below. 

Users of JSF Portlet Bridge will encounter an NPE during any request.

Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException
 at org.apache.myfaces.view.facelets.DefaultFaceletsStateManagementStrategy.restoreView(DefaultFaceletsStateManagementStrategy.java:154)
 at org.apache.myfaces.application.jsp.JspStateManagerImpl.restoreView(JspStateManagerImpl.java:432)
 at org.apache.myfaces.shared_impl.view.ViewDeclarationLanguageBase.restoreView(ViewDeclarationLanguageBase.java:106)

Additionally, it is possible for Liberty users of JSF-2.0 to be affected if the view state string is modified improperly in any way.

PROBLEM CONCLUSION:
The JSF implementation was updated to handle a missing or corrupt viewstate string to avoid this NPE. The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in fix packs 8.5.5.20 and 21.0.0.6.




Directions to apply fix:  
Fix applies to Editions:
Release 8.0
X Application Server (Express or BASE)
X Network Deployment (ND)
__ Edge Components
X Developer

Install Fix to all WebSphere installations unless special instructions are included below.

Special Instructions: None

NOTE:
The user must:
* Logged in with the same authority level when unpacking a fix, fix pack or refresh pack.
* Be at V1.4.3 or newer of the Installation Manager. Certain iFixes may require a newer version of the Installation Manager and the Installation Manager will inform you during the installation process if a newer version is required.

The IBM Information Center can provide details, if needed, on the use of the Installation Manager to apply the iFixes.
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/install/v1r4/index.jsp.  Shutdown WebSphere Application Server before applying the iFixes.  Restart WebSphere Application Server after applying the iFixes.



Directions to remove fix:  

The IBM Information Center can provide details, if needed, on the use of the Installation Manager to remove the iFixes.
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/install/v1r4/index.jsp.  Shutdown WebSphere Application Server before removing the iFixes.  Restart WebSphere Application Server after removing the iFixes.



Directions to re-apply fix:  
1) Shutdown WebSphere Application Server.

2) Follow the Fix instructions to apply the fix.

3) Restart WebSphere Application Server.



Additional Information: