java
Safeguard articles tagged "java" — guides, analysis, and best practices for software supply chain and application security.
96 articles
spring-boot-starter-security: Secure Defaults and Common Mistakes
What actually happens when you add spring-boot-starter-security to your build, the defaults it turns on, and the configuration mistakes that quietly undo them.
Semgrep Supply Chain: April 2026 Update Reviewed
Semgrep's April 2026 release added dedicated advisory pages, dependency path data in SBOM exports, a Guardian Supply Chain hook, and Maven/Gradle scanning without lockfiles.
java.lang.NullPointerException: Causes, Fixes, and Prevention
What actually throws java.lang.NullPointerException, how to read the helpful messages modern JVMs print, and the handful of patterns that keep null out of your call paths.
com.fasterxml.jackson.databind: Maven Coordinates, Modules, and Version Strategy
com.fasterxml.jackson.databind is the Java package, not the Maven groupId, and that mixup breaks builds weekly. Here are the correct coordinates, the module map, and a version strategy that survives audits.
Code Quality Tools That Also Strengthen Your Security
Code quality tools do more than catch style nits; the good ones surface the same weak patterns that turn into vulnerabilities. Here is how quality tooling and security overlap, with a focus on Java.
CVE-2014-0114: The Apache Commons BeanUtils ClassLoader Flaw Explained
CVE-2014-0114 lets attackers manipulate the ClassLoader through Apache Commons BeanUtils and Struts 1, opening a path to remote code execution. Here is what it affects and how to remediate it.
How to Install Maven on Windows, macOS, and Linux
A step-by-step guide to install Maven on any OS, verify the install, and avoid the JAVA_HOME and PATH mistakes that trip up most first-time setups.
netty-handler: TLS in Netty and Keeping It Patched
netty-handler is where Netty's TLS lives, which makes it the module scanners flag most. What SslHandler actually does, the hostname-verification gotcha, and the patch cadence to keep.
What Is a DTO (Data Transfer Object)? Security Notes for Java and Beyond
A DTO is a plain object that carries data across a boundary. Used well it is also one of your best defenses against mass assignment and data over-exposure.
jackson-core Maven: What It Is and Where the Risk Lives
jackson-core is the low-level streaming engine behind Jackson, added via Maven. Here is what the artifact does, why it is safer than jackson-databind, and how to keep the whole stack patched.
How to Avoid NullPointerException in Java
The NullPointerException is Java's most common runtime crash. Here is how to avoid it with Optional, defensive coding, and the tools that catch nulls early.
How to Change the Java Version on a Mac Without Breaking Security
A practical guide to change the Java version on Mac using JAVA_HOME and jenv, plus why keeping the right JDK active is a security decision, not just a convenience.
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