PH31154: XOR ENCODING KEYSTOREPASSWORDS AND TRUSTSTOREPASSWORDS USED IN DATASOURCE CUSTOM PROPERTIES LEAD TO SSLHANDSHAKE ERRORS

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• When setting up a datasource to use SSL for the communication
  with a backend database system like Oracle DB and xor encypted
  passwords are used for the property name "keyStorePassword" and
  "trustStorePassword", the SSLHandshake may fail, because the
  passwords are not decrpted correctly.
  
  In the resouces.xml file there are configuration settings like:
  
  <resourceProperties xmi:id="J2EEResourceProperty_1603422700597"
  name="keyStorePassword" type="java.lang.String"
  value="{xor}************"/>
  
  ...
  
  <resourceProperties xmi:id="J2EEResourceProperty_1603422700655"
  name="trustStorePassword" type="java.lang.String"
  value="{xor}************"/>
  
  
  A possible error is:
  [10/29/20 17:32:45:655 SGT] 0000007c DSConfigHelpe 3 Exception
  java.sql.SQLRecoverableException: IO Error: The Network Adapter
  could not establish the connection DSRA0010E: SQL State = 08006,
  Error Code = 17,002
  at
  oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CConnection.logon(T4CConnection.java:489)
  at
  oracle.jdbc.driver.PhysicalConnection.<init>(PhysicalConnection.
  java:553)
  ...
  

Local fix

• Use plain text passwords is a possible workaround
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  All users of IBM WebSphere Application      *
  *                  Server using encrypted custom Datasource    *
  *                  properties                                  *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: Custom datasource properties that       *
  *                      contained password as part of the       *
  *                      custom property namee is not            *
  *                      decrypted.                              *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  SSLHandshake may fail, because custom property
  passwords are not decrypted avoind SSL handshake failures.
  

Problem conclusion

• Custom datasource properties that contain password as part of
  the name are now decrypted before being used.
  
  The fix for this APAR is targeted for inclusion in fix pack
  8.5.5.20 and 9.0.5.8. For more information, see 'Recommended
  Updates for WebSphere Application Server':
  https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/715553
  

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

  WEBS APP SERV N

• Fixed component ID

  5724H8800

Applicable component levels

• R850 PSY

     UP

• R900 PSY

     UP