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PM40539: SPECIFYING JNDI CONTEXT SECURITY PROPERTY CAUSES JNDI LOOKUPS TO CAUSE AN INFINITE LOOP DURING THE LOOKUP PROCESS.

Fixes are available

8.0.0.1: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 1
8.0.0.2: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 2
8.0.0.3: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 3
8.0.0.4: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 4
8.0.0.5: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 5
8.0.0.6: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 6
8.0.0.7: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 7
8.0.0.8: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 8
7.0.0.31: WebSphere Application Server V7.0 Fix Pack 31
7.0.0.33: WebSphere Application Server V7.0 Fix Pack 33
8.0.0.9: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 9
7.0.0.35: WebSphere Application Server V7.0 Fix Pack 35
8.0.0.10: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 10
7.0.0.37: WebSphere Application Server V7.0 Fix Pack 37
8.0.0.11: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 11
7.0.0.39: WebSphere Application Server V7.0 Fix Pack 39
8.0.0.12: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 12
7.0.0.41: WebSphere Application Server V7.0 Fix Pack 41
8.0.0.13: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 13
7.0.0.43: WebSphere Application Server V7.0 Fix Pack 43
8.0.0.14: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 14
7.0.0.45: WebSphere Application Server V7.0 Fix Pack 45
8.0.0.15: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 15
7.0.0.45: Java SDK 1.6 SR16 FP60 Cumulative Fix for WebSphere Application Server
7.0.0.31: Java SDK 1.6 SR15 Cumulative Fix for WebSphere Application Server
7.0.0.35: Java SDK 1.6 SR16 FP1 Cumulative Fix for WebSphere Application Server
7.0.0.37: Java SDK 1.6 SR16 FP3 Cumulative Fix for WebSphere Application Server
7.0.0.39: Java SDK 1.6 SR16 FP7 Cumulative Fix for WebSphere Application Server
7.0.0.41: Java SDK 1.6 SR16 FP20 Cumulative Fix for WebSphere Application Server
7.0.0.43: Java SDK 1.6 SR16 FP41 Cumulative Fix for WebSphere Application Server

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APAR status

  • Closed as program error.

Error description

  • It is possible for a user to specify JNDI Context SECURITY
    property settings in a jndi.properties file.  If a user does
    this, JNDI lookups end up infinitely recursing. Our initial
    context factory detects the property settings and issues a
    login. During login procssing, the class,
    com/ibm/WebSphereSecurityImpl/SecurityServerImpl.java,
    then gets an initial context to use for a security server
    lookup.  However, those JNDI security properties are picked up
    and sent to the initial context factory, and that in turn
    results in a recursive call to login.
    

Local fix

Problem summary

  • ****************************************************************
    * USERS AFFECTED:  All users of IBM WebSphere Application      *
    *                  Server                                      *
    ****************************************************************
    * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: Specifying JNDI security context        *
    *                      properties can cause SecurityServer     *
    *                      lookups to fall into an infinite loop.  *
    ****************************************************************
    * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
    ****************************************************************
    JNDI security context properties can cause SecurityServer
    lookups to fall into an infinite loop as the security
    properties need to be authenticated. In order to authenticate,
    the SecurityServer is needed. Since the current lookup is for
    a SecurityServer, and this request is trying to be
    authenticated, the logic will recurse into an infinite loop.
    

Problem conclusion

  • JNDI SecurityServer lookups are unprotected by nature. This
    fix introduces a guard against checking security context
    properties during a SecurityServer lookup such that an
    infinite loop will be avoided.
    
    The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in
    fix pack 7.0.0.31, and 8.0.0.1.  Please refer to the
    Recommended Updates page for delivery information:
    
    http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&uid=swg27004980
    

Temporary fix

  • Do not specify JNDI security context properties
    

Comments

APAR Information

  • APAR number

    PM40539

  • Reported component name

    WEBS APP SERV N

  • Reported component ID

    5724H8800

  • Reported release

    800

  • Status

    CLOSED PER

  • PE

    NoPE

  • HIPER

    NoHIPER

  • Special Attention

    NoSpecatt

  • Submitted date

    2011-06-01

  • Closed date

    2011-06-21

  • Last modified date

    2013-05-07

  • 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

  • R800 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":"8.0","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
27 October 2021