java.lang.SecurityException – How to solve SecurityException

In this tutorial we will discuss about SecurityException in Java. This exception is thrown by the security manager, in order to indicate a security violation.

The SecurityException class extends the RuntimeException class and thus, belongs to those exceptions that can be thrown during the operation of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It is an unchecked exception and thus, it does not need to be declared in a method’s or a constructor’s throws clause.

Finally the SecurityException class exists since the 1.0 version of Java.

The Structure of SecurityException

Constructors

• SecurityException()

Creates an instance of the SecurityException class, setting null as its message.

• SecurityException(String s)

Creates an instance of the SecurityException class, using the specified string as message. The string argument indicates the name of the class that threw the error.

• SecurityException(String message, Throwable cause)

Creates an instance of the SecurityException class, using the specified string as message and the specified Throwable as its cause.

• SecurityException(Throwable cause)

Creates an instance of the SecurityException class, using the specified Throwable as its cause.

The SecurityException in Java

The SecurityException indicates that a security violation has occurred an thus, the application cannot be executed. A simple example is to use a package name that is already defined in Java.

For example, let’s create a simple hierarchy, where the parent directory is called java and the sub-directory is called util. Then, we create a sample Java class inside the java/util/ directory, which only prints a message:

Test.java:

package java.util;

class Test {
	public static void main(String[] args) {
		System.out.println("Hello World!");
	}
}

We compile and execute our sample code by issuing the following commands:

javac java/util/Test.java
java java.util.Test

A sample execution is shown below:

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.SecurityException: Prohibited package name: java.util
	at java.lang.ClassLoader.preDefineClass(ClassLoader.java:659)
	at java.lang.ClassLoader.defineClass(ClassLoader.java:758)
	at java.security.SecureClassLoader.defineClass(SecureClassLoader.java:142)
	at java.net.URLClassLoader.defineClass(URLClassLoader.java:455)
	at java.net.URLClassLoader.access$100(URLClassLoader.java:73)
	at java.net.URLClassLoader$1.run(URLClassLoader.java:367)
	at java.net.URLClassLoader$1.run(URLClassLoader.java:361)
	at java.security.AccessController.doPrivileged(Native Method)
	at java.net.URLClassLoader.findClass(URLClassLoader.java:360)
	at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(ClassLoader.java:424)
	at sun.misc.Launcher$AppClassLoader.loadClass(Launcher.java:308)
	at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(ClassLoader.java:357)
	at sun.launcher.LauncherHelper.checkAndLoadMain(LauncherHelper.java:495)

When the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) tries to load our class, it recognizes its package name as invalid and thus, a SecurityException is thrown.

How to deal with the SecurityException

• In the aforementioned case, it is sufficient to change the package name of your application, in order to be executed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). In general, you must avoid using package names that are reserved by Java.
• Sometimes, executing a .jar file can result in a SecurityException be possibly thrown. In such cases, you must verify that the .jar file is properly signed, otherwise you will not be able to execute it. For more information on how to sign a .jar please refer to the instructions here.
• Finally, running an applet from an external source may also result in a SecurityException be thrown. The most frequent reason is that Java applications are blocked by the underlying security settings. For more information on how to change these settings and how to update your Exception Site list, please refer to the instructions here.

Do you want to know how to develop your skillset to become a Java Rockstar?

Subscribe to our newsletter to start Rocking right now!

To get you started we give you our best selling eBooks for FREE!

1. JPA Mini Book

2. JVM Troubleshooting Guide

3. JUnit Tutorial for Unit Testing

4. Java Annotations Tutorial

5. Java Interview Questions

6. Spring Interview Questions

7. Android UI Design

and many more ....

I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy

Sign up

Thank you!

We will contact you soon.