FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.6.0"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0-b105)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.6.0-b105, mixed mode, sharing)


ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Windows XP SP2

EXTRA RELEVANT SYSTEM CONFIGURATION :
tested with a jnlp on a localhost:8080 jetty webserver (but doesn't matter)

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
I have a jar with only a META-INF directory.
This jar works in java webstart 1.5.0_09, but breaks in java webstart 1.6.0, with the error mentioned below.

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
Create a jar of an empty classes directory and use it in java webstart on jdk/jre 1.6.0.

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
a running webstarted application
ACTUAL -
The error dialog of java webstart, with a details button.

ERROR MESSAGES/STACK TRACES THAT OCCUR :
JNLPException[category: Security Error : Exception: null : LaunchDesc:
<jnlp spec="1.0+" codebase="http://localhost:8080/digidoc-web/jnlp/" href="http://localhost:8080/digidoc-web/jnlp/launch.jnlp">
...
</jnlp> ]
at com.sun.javaws.LaunchDownload.checkSignedResourcesHelper(Unknown Source)
at com.sun.javaws.LaunchDownload.checkSignedResources(Unknown Source)
at com.sun.javaws.Launcher.prepareLaunchFile(Unknown Source)
at com.sun.javaws.Launcher.prepareToLaunch(Unknown Source)
at com.sun.javaws.Launcher.launch(Unknown Source)
at com.sun.javaws.Main.launchApp(Unknown Source)
at com.sun.javaws.Main.continueInSecureThread(Unknown Source)
at com.sun.javaws.Main$1.run(Unknown Source)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Unknown Source)


REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.


CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
Don't use empty jars... but we use maven and transitively depend on one which is in a state of working progress to be cleaned up... sooner or later.