PM48454: SERVLETCONTEXT.GETREALPATH DOES NOT WORK FOR FILES IN THE EXTENDED DOCUMENT ROOT

6.1.0.47: WebSphere Application Server V6.1 Fix Pack 47
6.1.0.43: Java SDK 1.5 SR13 Cumulative Fix for WebSphere Application Server
6.1.0.45: Java SDK 1.5 SR14 Cumulative Fix for WebSphere Application Server
6.1.0.47: Java SDK 1.5 SR16 Cumulative Fix for WebSphere Application Server

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• ServletContext.getRealPath does not work for files in the
  extended document root.
  
  
  The method ServletContext.getRealPath(path) does not work for
  files in the extended document root.
  
  For Example with this configuration:
  
  <jspAttributes xmi:id="JSPAttribute_1274102087474"
  name="extendedDocumentRoot" value="C:\test\"/>
  
  and this structure in C:\test:
  
  test.jsp
  
  and this code in a servlet:
  response.getWriter().println(getServletContext().getRealPath("/t
  est.jsp"
  ));
  
  the path of the WAR file is returned, not the extended document
  root.
  
  LOCAL FIX:
  none.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  All users of IBM WebSphere Application      *
  *                  Server V6.1                                 *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: The ServletContext.getRealPath() Java   *
  *                      Servlet API does not look for the       *
  *                      requested resource in an                *
  *                      extendedDocumentRoot path.              *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  The ServletContext.getRealPath() Java Servlet API will not
  return the correct path for a requested resource when the
  resource exists in an extendedDocumentRoot path and does not
  exist in the installed application path.
  

Problem conclusion

• The ServletContext.getRealPath() Java Servlet API has been
  updated to look for the requested resource in the
  extendedDocumentRoot path if the resource is not found in
  installed application path. If the requested resource is also
  not found in the extendedDocumentRoot path, a null value is
  returned.
  
  To enable this new behavior, the following webcontainer custom
  property needs to be set:
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.checkEDRingetRealPath = true (default
  is false)
  
  Note: the similar problem has been fixed for IBM WebSphere
  Application Server Version 7.0 release with APAR PM21451.
  
  Please refer to the following technote for instructions on
  enabling WebContainer custom properties:
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rss=180&uid=swg21284395
  
  The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in
  fix pack 6.1.0.43.  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:

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

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  WEBSPHERE APP S

• Fixed component ID

  5724J0800

Applicable component levels

• R61A PSY

     UP

• R61H PSY

     UP

• R61I PSY

     UP

• R61P PSY

     UP

• R61S PSY

     UP

• R61W PSY

     UP

• R61Z PSY

     UP