PI38723: NullPointerException generated by Apache wink library when processing HEAD requests

8.5.5.7: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 7
8.5.5.8: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 8
8.5.5.9: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 9
8.5.5.10: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 10
8.5.5.11: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 11
8.5.5.12: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 12
8.5.5.13: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 13
8.5.5.14: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 14
8.5.5.15: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 15
8.5.5.17: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 17
8.5.5.20: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5.20
8.5.5.18: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 18
8.5.5.19: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 19
8.5.5.16: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 16
8.5.5.21: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5.21

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• The below NullPointerException is generated when processing
  HEAD requests:
  
  org.apache.wink.server.internal.RequestProcessor - The
  following erroroccurred during the invocation of the handlers
  chain: NullPointerException with message 'null' while
  processing HEAD request sent to << Request URL >>
  ERROR com.pushcoin.pws.provider.UnknownExceptionMapper - Error:
  java.lang.NullPointerException
  at
  org.apache.wink.server.internal.handlers.HeadMethodHandler$NoBod
  yResponse.getContentLengthValue(HeadMethodHandler.java:100)
  at org.apache.wink.server.internal.handlers.HeadMethodHandler
                .handl eResponse(HeadMethodHandler.java:83)
  at org.apache.wink.server.handlers.ResponseHandlersChain
                .handle(Res ponseHandlersChain.java:26)
  at org.apache.wink.server.handlers.ResponseHandlersChain
                .handle(Res ponseHandlersChain.java:22)
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  IBM WebShere Application Server users of    *
  *                  JAX-RS web services                         *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: A NullPointerException is thrown when   *
  *                      handling JAX-RS HTTP HEAD requests      *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  A variable is not initiallized correctly before using it when
  handling JAX-RS http Head requests.
  

Problem conclusion

• We now initialize the variable correctly before using it to
  avoid the NullPointerException.
  
  The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in fix
  pack 8.5.5.7.  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 is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

  PI33284

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

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  LIBERTY PROFILE

• Fixed component ID

  5724J0814

Applicable component levels

• R850 PSY

     UP