The package `eclipse-jdt-core-compiler-batch` version 3.35.0 in Debian 13 contains a inconsistency between its MANIFEST.MF metadata and the actual bytecode version of compiled classes

Olivier Lagache <[email protected]> Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:27:37 +0100
Newsgroups gmane.linux.debian.devel.java
Message-ID <[email protected]>
Package: eclipse-jdt-core-compiler-batch
Version: 3.35.0

# Issue Description

Package: libeclipse-jdt-core-compiler-batch-java` version 
`3.35.0+eclipse4.29-2
Distribution: Debian 13 (Trixie)
Severity: High (breaks Java 17 applications using JSP/Jasper
Affects: All Tomcat 10 deployments on Java 17

# Inconsistency Details
MANIFEST.MF declares:
  - Created-By: 21.0.4+7-Debian-3 (Debian)
  - Bundle-RequiredExecutionEnvironment: JavaSE-17

Actual bytecode version:
$ javap -v org/eclipse/jdt/internal/compiler/env/INameEnvironment.class
public interface org.eclipse.jdt.internal.compiler.env.INameEnvironment
   minor version: 0
   major version: 65    <-- Java 21 (should be 61 for Java 17)

# Impact
This inconsistency breaks **Apache Tomcat JSP compilation** for 
applications running on Java 17:
   java.lang.UnsupportedClassVersionError: 
org/eclipse/jdt/internal/compiler/env/INameEnvironment
   has been compiled by a more recent version of the Java Runtime (class 
file version 65.0),
   this version of the Java Runtime only recognizes class file versions 
up to 61.0

**Affected components:**
- Apache Tomcat 10.x with JSP support
- Any application using Eclipse JDT Core for runtime compilation on Java 17
- Spring Boot applications with embedded Jasper

# Root Cause Analysis

The package was built using Java 21 (Debian 13 default) while the 
MANIFEST.MF was not updated to reflect the actual bytecode target version.

- Critical dependency chain:**
   libtomcat10-java
     ├─ Depends: libeclipse-jdt-core-java (3.35.0)
     └─ Depends: libeclipse-jdt-core-compiler-batch-java (3.35.0) ← 
PROBLEMATIC

- Impact:
   - `libtomcat10-java` has a **hard dependency** on the problematic 
package
   - All Tomcat 10 installations on Debian 13 automatically pull this 
package
   - Applications running on Java 17 fail when JSP compilation occurs

- Expected behavior:
   - If compiled with Java 21, MANIFEST should declare 
`Bundle-RequiredExecutionEnvironment: JavaSE-21`
   - If targeting Java 17, package should be compiled with `javac 
--release 17` flag
   - Debian should provide separate packages for different Java versions 
OR use the lowest common denominator (Java 17)

# Reproduction Steps
   1. Install Debian 13 with default Java 17
   2. Install `libtomcat10-java` and `eclipse-jdt-core-compiler-batch`
   3. Deploy any Spring Boot application with JSP views
   4. Access a JSP page
   5. Observe `UnsupportedClassVersionError` Exception

# Proposed Solutions
   - Update the build configuration to explicitly target Java 17


Best Regards