Java SE 8u72 Bundled Patch Release (BPR) - Bug Fixes and Updates

The following sections summarize changes made in all Java SE 8u72 BPRs. Bug fixes and any other changes are listed below in date order, most current BPR first. Note that bug fixes in previous BPR are also included in the current BPR.

To determine the version of your JDK software, use the following command:

java -version

Changes in Java SE 8u72 b31

Please note that fixes from the prior BPR (8u66 b36) are included in this version.

Java™ SE Development Kit 8, Update 72 (JDK 8u72)

The full version string for this update release is 1.8.0_72-b15 (where "b" means "build") for the Microsoft Windows JRE and JDK and 1.8.0_72-b15 for all other platforms and for the Microsoft Windows Server JRE. The version number is 8u72.

This update release contains several enhancements and changes including the following. 

IANA Data 2015g

JDK 8u72 contains IANA time zone data version 2015g. For more information, refer to Timezone Data Versions in the JRE Software.

Security Baselines

The security baselines for the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) at the time of the release of JDK 8u72 are specified in the following table:

For more information about security baselines, see Deploying Java Applets With Family JRE Versions in Java Plug-in for Internet Explorer.

JRE Expiration Date

The JRE expires whenever a new release with security vulnerability fixes becomes available. Critical patch updates, which contain security vulnerability fixes, are announced one year in advance on Critical Patch Updates, Security Alerts and Third Party Bulletin. This JRE (version 8u72) will expire with the release of the next critical patch update scheduled for April 19, 2016.

For systems unable to reach the Oracle Servers, a secondary mechanism expires this JRE (version 8u72) on May 19, 2016. After either condition is met (new release becoming available or expiration date reached), the JRE will provide additional warnings and reminders to users to update to the newer version. For more information, see JRE Expiration Date.

Bug Fixes

This release contains fixes for security vulnerabilities. For more information, see Oracle Critical Patch Update Advisory.

The following are some of the notable bug fixes included in this release:
 

Regression in Applet startup time fixed

JDK-8080977 introduced delay on applet launch. The delay appears only on IE and lasts about 20 seconds. JDK-8136759 removed this delay.

See JDK-8136759

jps running as root fails after the fix of JDK-8050807
When running jps as root in solaris or linux, it should be able to display process information for all running java process in the system. This worked fine until 7u72:
For example:

jps running In 7u72 solaris machine:
7u72/bin/jps
1771 ControlPanel
722 Bootstrap
1224 ContainerPrivate
1637 swupna.jar
1772 Jp

jps running In 7u75 solaris machine:
7u75/bin/jps 
1746 Jps 
1739 -- process information unavailable 
722 -- process information unavailable 
1224 ContainerPrivate 
1637 -- process information unavailable 

This bug was introduced when fix JDK-8050807 was merged in JDK repository. In this fix UID of directory is matched with the effective Id of process. When JPS command is executed as root, it tries to read the process information from "/tmp/hsperfdata_$username_$ProcessID" file. Before reading the process file or directory, it checks if the file or directory is secure or not. It opens the user directory and match the UID of that directory (which belong to other user) with the current process(root-jps) effective ID,which gets fail and process returns failure.

See JDK-8075773.

"Apply" button is permanently disabled in JCP, after roaming profile option is changed
After the option "Store user settings in the roaming profile" located in "Java Control Panel -> Advanced -> Miscellaneous" is changed and applied by a click on "Apply" button in Java Control Panel (JCP), "Apply" button becomes permanently disabled and changes of any other options in JCP do not lead to enabling of "Apply" button.

See JDK-8133985.

JFR reports abnormally high machine CPU consumption on Linux
On Linux kernels 2.6 and later, the JDK would include time spent waiting for IO completion as "CPU usage". During periods of heavy IO activity, this could result in misleadingly high values reported as CPU consumption in various tools like Flight Recorder and performance counters. This issue has been resolved.

JDK-8133527 (not public)

Problem with REMOVEOUTOFDATEJRES Installer option documentation corrected
Missing documentation for the REMOVEOUTOFDATEJRES installer option was added to the Java Platform, Standard Edition Installation Guide: http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/guides/install/config.html#table_config_file_options

See JDK-8133527.

Bug Fix List