[FELIX-1363] Stack overflow on Java 2 Security evaluation of getLocation() in WebSphere

• Type: Bug
• Status: Closed
• Priority: Major
• Resolution: Fixed
• Affects Version/s: framework-1.2.1, framework-1.4.1, framework-1.8.0, framework-1.8.1
• Fix Version/s: framework-2.0.0
• Component/s: Framework
• Environment: WebSphere 6.1 with Java 2 Security enabled
• Assignee: Unassigned
• Reporter: Gerrit van Brakel
• Created: 16/Jul/09 08:16
• Updated: 22/Sep/09 09:55
• Resolved: 22/Sep/09 09:55

Description

When the Felix framework is used in an application in WebSphere, the Java 2 Security permission evaluation of Felix.getLocation() causes a Stack Overflow.

The Stack Overflow is caused by an incompatiblity between classes of the Felix framework and the framework classes present in WebSphere.

When the permissions for Felix.getLocation() are evaluated, an AdminPermission object is created and evaluated. The AdminPermission permission object created is not the one supplied by the Felix framework, but one found higher on the classpath: the WebSphere/eclipse version of the AdminPermission class. This version of the class is incompatible with Felix, as it uses getLocation() in its evaluation.

ways to work around or solve this problem:
1) disable Java 2 Security (not acceptable by company policy)
2) grant a global AllPermissions (not acceptable by company policy): by specifying global AllPermissions, the evaluation of permissions seems to be avoided
3) modify the Felix Framework in such a way that no permissions are set/evaluated for getLocation()
4) modify the Websphere / eclipse version of AdminPermission in such a way that no getLocation() is used in its evaluation

A test for option 3 has been performed on Felix 1.2.1. If the permission test is removed from BundleImpl.getLocation() and Felix.getLocation(), the stack overflow does not appear. Of course the permission test is lost in the process.