Console message ICH302D causes region to reject user logon until replied to

Products

• NetMaster Network Automation
• SOLVE
• NetMaster Network Management for SNA
• NetMaster Network Management for TCP/IP
• NetMaster File Transfer Management
• SOLVE:Operations Automation
• SOLVE:Access Session Management
• SOLVE:FTS

Issue/Introduction

A RACF Userid is defined with the SPECIAL attribute. When the number of unsuccessful password attempts is reached, RACF generates the 'ICH302D' message, i.e. a WTOR requesting a reply. As long as the reply remains outstanding, the User logon is suspended for all Users trying to access this Region.

How to get rid of this problem?
 

Cause

The user is unable to logon.

Resolution

Message:

ICH301I MAXIMUM PASSWORD ATTEMPTS BY SPECIAL USER xxxxxxx

follows message 'ICH302D', to indicate that the Userid maximum number of password attempts has been reached.

This problem only occurs on a Userid defined with the SPECIAL attribute in RACF, and is due to a security exposure.

It also occurs on others Applications like the TPX Session Manager, Solve:Access or IBM's NVAS Session Manager.

The Knowledge Base article TPX users inhibited from signing on when a WTOR is pending with system console messages ICH301I and ICH302D or ICH303I and ICH304D.  is available for TPX information regarding this which gives more details as well as an IBM APAR for NVAS, although this should be cross checked on the IBM web site for current APARS.

This problem can fixed by one of the following methods :

1. Reply to the ICH302D message manually or automatically by an Automation product.
    
2. Change the the permissible number of password attempts using the following command:
   
   SETROPTS PASSWORD(REVOKE(number_invalid_passwords)
    
3. Remove the SPECIAL attribute from the Userid involved.

Additional Information