Fail to Apply WebLogic July 2023 CPU Patch using Opatch 13.9.4.2.13

 Oracle just released WebLogic CPU Patch on July 18th. More info below. 

Critical Patch Update (CPU) Patch Advisor for Oracle Fusion Middleware - Updated for July 2023 (Doc ID 2806740.2)

https://blogs.oracle.com/blogbypuneeth/post/oracle-weblogic-server-critical-patch-update-july-2023

The Patch requires newer version of Opatch 13.9.4.2.13. When trying to apply the 35601596 - WLS STACK PATCH BUNDLE 14.1.1.0.230713 (SPB)

or

35560771 - WLS PATCH SET UPDATE 14.1.1.0.230703

using 28186730 - OPatch 13.9.4.2.13

it fails with below error

[Jul 20, 2023 1:37:28 PM] [SEVERE]  Nextget could not process patch 35560771

[Jul 20, 2023 1:37:28 PM] [SEVERE]  oracle.glcm.opatch.common.api.install.HomeOperationsException: A failure occurred while processing patch: 35560771

                                    at com.oracle.cie.gdr.patch.HomeOperationsImpl.processPatch(HomeOperationsImpl.java:790)

                                    Caused by: com.oracle.cie.gdr.utils.LocalizedGdrException: GDR-70005: Failed to apply inventory patching to home.

                                    GDR-70005: A failure occurred while attempting to apply inventory patches to the home /opt/fedex/cdas/cporapp/wls

                                    GDR-70005: Contact customer support.

                                    at com.oracle.cie.gdr.patch.PatchHandlerImpl.processUpdatePatch(PatchHandlerImpl.java:1440)

                                    at com.oracle.cie.gdr.patch.PatchHandlerImpl.processUpdatePatch(PatchHandlerImpl.java:1345)

                                    at com.oracle.cie.gdr.patch.PatchHandlerImpl.processPatchUsingPaths(PatchHandlerImpl.java:771)

                                    at com.oracle.cie.gdr.patch.HomeOperationsImpl.processPatch(HomeOperationsImpl.java:786)

                                    ... 19 more

                                    Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException

                                    at com.oracle.cie.gdr.patch.ComponentMetaDataPatchHandler.isPatchMetadataSuperseded(ComponentMetaDataPatchHandler.java:696)

                                    at com.oracle.cie.gdr.patch.ComponentMetaDataPatchHandler.processComponentUpdatePatches(ComponentMetaDataPatchHandler.java:581)

                                    at com.oracle.cie.gdr.patch.PatchHandlerImpl.processUpdatePatch(PatchHandlerImpl.java:1430)

Below MOS document mentions this issue.

July 2023 CPU: Oracle WebLogic Server 12.2.1.4 and 14.1.1 PSU/SPB Fail to Apply with "GDR-70005: Failed to apply inventory patching to home."(Doc ID 2962593.1)

The cause is currently under investigation. Bug 35619659 was filed with deveolopment.

Last updated: July 20, 2023 1:30pm CDT

At this time there is no confirmed solution. Please check back for further information.

Please do not apply this patch, till Oracle publishes the fix.