Error "java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError" in Custom Auth Scheme after a Siteminder Upgrade
Article ID: 402367
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
==================================
[531935/139966407505664][Thu Jun 19 2025 13:01:23.660][SmAuthServer.cpp:361][INFO][sm-Server-02750] Loaded authentication scheme <AuthScheme>. Version 1536 . <AuthScheme>
[531935/139964868286208][Thu Jun 19 2025 13:01:31.360][CSmDbSessionManager.cpp:553][INFO][sm-Server-04350] Using ODBC '<User Store>' data source '<DSN_Name>.
[531935/139966533330688][Thu Jun 19 2025 13:01:31.631][SmAuthServer.cpp:390][INFO][sm-Server-02760] Initialized authentication scheme <AuthScheme>
[531935/139966533330688][Thu Jun 19 2025 13:01:31.662][SmAuthUser.cpp:869][ERROR][sm-Server-02740] <AuthScheme>: caught an exception: <Path_To_Class>
[531935/139966533330688][Thu Jun 19 2025 13:01:31.663][SmAuthUser.cpp:869][ERROR][sm-Server-02740] <AuthScheme>: ------
java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: <Path_To_Class>
at org.exolab.castor.util.Configuration.<clinit>(Configuration.java:105)
at org.exolab.castor.xml.Unmarshaller.initConfig(Unmarshaller.java:272)
at org.exolab.castor.xml.Unmarshaller.<init>(Unmarshaller.java:225)
at org.exolab.castor.xml.Unmarshaller.<init>(Unmarshaller.java:212)
at org.exolab.castor.xml.Unmarshaller.unmarshal(Unmarshaller.java:736)
at com.slf.SiteMinder_Client.AuthPayload.unmarshal(AuthPayload.java:222)
at com.slf.SiteMinder.<AuthScheme>.authenticate(<AuthScheme>.java:252)
at com.netegrity.policyserver.smapi.SmAuthenticationContext.authenticate(SmAuthenticationContext.java:289)
Caused by: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: <Path_To_Class>
at java.net.URLClassLoader.findClass(URLClassLoader.java:382)
at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(ClassLoader.java:418)
at sun.misc.Launcher$AppClassLoader.loadClass(Launcher.java:352)
at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(ClassLoader.java:351)
... 8 more
------
[531935/139965459588864][Thu Jun 19 2025 13:01:53.681][PolicyCache.cpp:1236][INFO][sm-Server-02880] Building policy cache ...
[531935/139965459588864][Thu Jun 19 2025 13:01:53.681][PolicyCache.cpp:1325][INFO][sm-Server-02890] Building policy cache done
[531935/139966407505664][Thu Jun 19 2025 13:12:58.735][SmAuthUser.cpp:869][ERROR][sm-Server-02740] <AuthScheme>: caught an exception: Could not initialize class <Class_Name>
[531935/139966407505664][Thu Jun 19 2025 13:12:58.740][SmAuthUser.cpp:869][ERROR][sm-Server-02740] <AuthScheme>: ------
java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: Could not initialize class <Class_Name>
at org.exolab.castor.xml.Unmarshaller.initConfig(Unmarshaller.java:272)
at org.exolab.castor.xml.Unmarshaller.<init>(Unmarshaller.java:225)
at org.exolab.castor.xml.Unmarshaller.<init>(Unmarshaller.java:212)
at org.exolab.castor.xml.Unmarshaller.unmarshal(Unmarshaller.java:736)
at com.slf.SiteMinder_Client.AuthPayload.unmarshal(AuthPayload.java:222)
at com.slf.SiteMinder.DelegatedAuthScheme.authenticate(<AuthScheme>.java:252)
at com.netegrity.policyserver.smapi.SmAuthenticationContext.authenticate(SmAuthenticationContext.java:289)
==================================
Environment
PRODUCT: Symantec Siteminder
COMPONENT: Policy Server
VERSION: Any
OPERATING SYSTEM: Any
Cause
If you're encountering a java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: Could not initialize class error in your SiteMinder environment, this typically means that the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is unable to find a required class definition at runtime, even though it was available at compile time. This is a common issue with Java applications. Common causes for this error are:
Missing JAR files: The most frequent reason for this error is that the JAR file containing the missing class is not present in the application's classpath.
Incorrect classpath configuration: The classpath, which tells the JVM where to look for class files, might be misconfigured.
Overridden classpath: Start-up scripts or other processes might be overriding the correctly configured classpath.
Exception In Initializer Error: Sometimes, this error can stem from a failure in the static initialization block of the class in question. Check your logs for an ExceptionInInitializerError.
Missing dependencies: The class that failed to initialize might have its own dependencies that are missing or incorrectly configured.
Version compatibility issues: The versions of libraries or dependencies being used might be incompatible with the Java version or other components of your SiteMinder environment.
Permissions issues: The Java process might not have read permissions for the necessary JAR files.
Resolution
Troubleshooting Steps:
Analyze the error message and stack trace: The error message usually includes the name of the class that could not be found. This information is crucial for identifying the missing component.
Verify the classpath:
Check for missing JAR files: Ensure that the JAR file containing the problematic class is included in your SiteMinder application's classpath.
Confirm correct configuration: Review the classpath settings to ensure they are configured correctly, including the paths to all required JAR files and directories.
Check for overridden classpath: Look for any start-up scripts or environment variables that might be overriding the desired classpath.
Use verbose logging: Enable verbose logging for the JVM (e.g., -verbose:class) to see which classes are being loaded and where the process fails.
Address dependency issues:
Check for transitive dependencies: If the class you're having trouble with has dependencies on other libraries, make sure those dependencies are also present and correctly configured.
Update dependencies: If compatibility is a concern, consider updating to newer versions of the relevant libraries, especially if the error mentions a specific version.
Examine static initialization failures: Check your SiteMinder logs for any ExceptionInInitializerError.
Verify permissions: Ensure that the user running the SiteMinder Java process has the necessary read permissions for the JAR files in the classpath.
Consider specific SiteMinder requirements: If you're working with a custom SiteMinder authenticator or integration, consult the relevant SiteMinder
documentation for any specific classpath or dependency requirements.
Reinstall Java: In some cases, corrupted Java runtime files might cause this error. Reinstalling Java might resolve the issue.
Restart the service/application: Sometimes, a simple restart of the SiteMinder component or related application can resolve temporary classloading issues.
Ultimately this is an issue with the custom code. Frequently this requires that the custom code be re-compiled with the updated Siteminder SDK. This issue should be brought to the attention of your developer who wrote the custom code to begin with.
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