If Logger.getHandlers() returns null, Logger.log(LogRecord) throws NPE

FULL PRODUCT VERSION :


A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
If the Logger class is subclassed, and getHandlers() returns a null, Logger.log(LogRecord record) throws an NPE due to this line:

            for (Handler handler : logger.getHandlers()) {

In Java 6 and prior, a null pointer check was performed.

    Handler targets[] = logger.getHandlers();
    if (targets != null) {
        for (int i = 0; i < targets.length; i++) {

The API doc is not specific about wheher it is allowed. Since it was allowed in Java6 and prior, the application developer I Imagine assumed that it is allowed.

This causes problems for legacy applications upgrading from Java 6 to Java 7. Without the source for that application, upgrading to java 7 is not possible, as it crashes at initialization (in my case).

REGRESSION. Last worked in version 6u31


REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
  Fix your logger to return an empty array.