LI77112: CMVC 225167 - USER ENCOUNTERS GENERIC ERROR DUE TO INVALID COOKIE, NULLPOINTEREXCEPTION APPEARS IN LOG.

7.0.0-WS-WCServer-FP009
WebSphere Commerce Version 7.0.0.7 Fix Pack
WebSphere Commerce Version 7.0.0.8 Fix Pack
WebSphere Commerce Version 7.0.0.9 Fix Pack

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• 1.  In the Given scenario below :
  When using Firefox or Safari browser, and a guest session
  expired. Customer will see Generic System Error page if she/he
  check the "Show my windows and tabs from last time" option so
  that cookies are kept and reuse and old URLs are reopened when
  launching the browser later. And the user gets locked in the
  error/exception state and anything they click results in the
  generic system error. The only way the user can get out of the
  error situation is when they manually delete their cookies.
  
  2. Below is the NullPointerException which gets logged when
  above mentioned scenario executes:
  
  NullPointer Exception :
  00000069 CommerceSrvr E
  com.ibm.commerce.browseradapter.HttpSessionContext
  retrieveUserIdFromSession(Integer, WCSessionContainer CMN1039E:
  An
  invalid cookie was received for the user, your logonId may be in
  use by
  another user.java.lang.NullPointerException
      at
  com.ibm.commerce.browseradapter.AbstractHttpSessionContext.retri
  eveUserI
  dFromSession(AbstractHttpSessionContext.java:2229)
      at
  com.ibm.commerce.browseradapter.AbstractHttpSessionContext.resol
  veActivi
  tyToken(AbstractHttpSessionContext.java:453)
      at
  com.ibm.commerce.browseradapter.HttpSessionContext.resolveActivi
  tyToken(
  HttpSessionContext.java:402)
      at
  com.ibm.commerce.webcontroller.WebControllerHelper.startRequestP
  rocess(W
  ebControllerHelper.java:1898)
      at
  com.ibm.commerce.webcontroller.RuntimeServletFilter.doFilterActi
  on(Runti
  meServletFilter.java:262)
      at
  com.ibm.commerce.webcontroller.RuntimeServletFilter.access$0(Run
  timeServ
  letFilter.java:228)
      at
  com.ibm.commerce.webcontroller.RuntimeServletFilter$1.run(Runtim
  eServlet
  Filter.java:191)
      at
  com.ibm.commerce.webcontroller.RuntimeServletFilter.doFilter(Run
  timeServ
  letFilter.java:212)
      at
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.filter.FilterInstanceWrapper.doFilter(Fi
  lterInst
  anceWrapper.java:142)
      at
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.filter.WebAppFilterChain.doFilter(WebApp
  FilterCh
  ain.java:121)
      at
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.filter.WebAppFilterChain._doFilter(WebAp
  pFilterC
  hain.java:82)
      at
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.servlet.ServletWrapper.handleRequest(Ser
  vletWrap
  per.java:822)
      at
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.webapp.WebApp.handleRequest(WebApp.java:
  3226)
      at
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.webapp.WebGroup.handleRequest(WebGroup.j
  ava:253)
      at
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.VirtualHost.handleRequest(VirtualHost.ja
  va:246)
  

Local fix

• Update custom code on GenericSystemError.jsp something like
  below  at location <WC_EAR>/Stores.war/GenericSystemError.jsp
  
  if (errorBean.getMessageKey().equals("_ERR_INVALID_COOKIE"))
  {
  
  // a) delete WC_USERACTIVITY cookie
  // b) Redirect to homepage or any other landing page you wish.
  
  }
  

Problem summary

• USERS AFFECTED:
  Users with option  Show my windows and tabs from last time
  option enabled on Firefox or Safari.
  
  PROBLEM ABSTRACT:
  Invalid Cookie Error on firefox, when user selects "Show my
  windows and tabs from last time". NullPointerException appears
  in log, and user must manually clear the cookie.
  
  BUSINESS IMPACT:
   User cannot recover from the error until cookies are cleared
  manually from the new tab.
  
  RECOMMENDATION:
  

Problem conclusion

• It is caused by a NullPointerException which should be prevented
  at all. In this fix we check the variable to see if it is null
  and handle it properly when it is null.
  
  -------------------------------------------------------------
  The latest available maintenance information can be obtained
  from the Recommended Fixes for WebSphere Commerce technote:
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=3046&uid=swg21261296
  

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

  WC BUS ED ILINU

• Fixed component ID

  5724I3804

Applicable component levels

• R600 PSY

     UP