Security Exception when opening an xPages database

When trying to open any database that utilises xPages, I get the following error in the server log:23/01/2009 10:53:51 HTTP JVM: SEVERE: CLFAD####E: Security exception occurred servicing request for: /derek/xpages/xspwiki.nsf/home.xsp - HTTP Code: 403

23/01/2009 10:53:51 HTTP Web Server: You are forbidden to perform this operation [/derek/xpages/xspwiki.nsf]

I don’t get this however if I try and open what I would class a ‘normal’ notes database, which opens as I would expect with no problems.

I’ve managed to re-create the error using a brand new database, a database I created on an IBM XPages workshop (which ran fine there), and a database created using the new XPages Wiki template from OpenNTF.

All databases have default and anonymous access set to ‘Manager’.

Can anyone gove me any pointers please?

Subject: Re: Security Exception when opening an XPages database

Perhaps the signer ID used when the XPage was created (i.e. the ID you logged into Designer (DDE) with) lacks the necessary server rights to run the XPage. XPages can execute server-side scripts, just like Agents, and so the XPage creator signature must have similar rights in the server document to those usually attributed to Agent signers.

If that’s the problem, then the solution is open the server document, go to the “Programmability Restrictions” tab, and enter the XPage signer name at least in the field “Sign agents or XPages to run on behalf of the invoker”.

The Help Contents for DDE has the following explanation and references in the “Creating XPages → Signing XPages” subtopic:

Lotus Domino Designer XPages User Guide > Designing with XPages

Signing XPages

XPages are signed with the ID of the current DDE user upon saving the XPage design element, and/or upon generating its implementation (i.e .class) file(s).

Signing an XPage determines whether it will load at runtime, and thereafter whether it can run with or without restrictions on its methods and operations. Running with restrictions excludes certain features such as file or network I/O, which is the more common approach. Running without restrictions allows all supported features of the XPage implementation languages to be used (see topic “Restricted LotusScript and Java agent operations” at Lotus Domino Designer Basic User Guide and Reference > Application Design > Adding automation to applications).

As server access rights, the rights to execute restricted/unrestricted methods are assigned to specific signers or groups in the Programmability Restrictions section of the server document Security tab (see topic “Controlling agents and XPages that run on a server” at Lotus Domino Administrator Help > Security > Server access for Notes users, Internet users, and Domino servers > Customizing access to a Domino server).

When an XPage is invoked (as for Agents), Domino checks the server document for the server security rights of the XPage signer, in addition to checking access rights for the authenticated Web user. For components of the XPage (e.g. included XPages, custom controls, JSF extensions, or server JavaScript libraries), Domino checks each component signer’s server access rights, and if indicated, downgrades the XPage session to execute only with restrictions (if set for Domino, the “NoExternalApps” notes.ini variable has the same effect). At runtime, signatures for DDE users without any server rights to sign XPages at all will generate HTTP 403 errors back to the browser.

Subject: Security Exception when opening an XPages database

Thank you, John. You made my day!

Subject: Security exception when opening an xPages database

Thanks John, adding my name to the “Sign agents or XPages to run on behalf of the invoker” field on the server document has solved the problem, XPages now run as they should.

Subject: WEBB7RPP9X

Thanks John…your answer has helped me a lot…

Subject: This bites me in the posterior every time…

  • I download a sample app and don’t sign it with my ID. I get the dreaded 403 forbidden to perform that operation. Then I wander around lost until I re-stumble upon the idea of signing it.- Thanks for re-re-reminding me, John!

Subject: Forwarded to development<>