question Base64 is returning null in scoped application REST API explorer in Community Central forum

Base64 is returning null in scoped application REST API explorer

APRAJITAPAL — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:10:21 GMT

I have scoped application. On Request I am attaching pdf file. While using GET https method in scripted REST API, I am getting null in Base64. However I am getting file name, content type, sys_id. Using below code-

_readAttachmentAsBase64: function(attachmentSysId) {

try {

/*var ais = new GlideSysAttachmentInputStream(String(attachmentSysId));

var baos = new Packages.java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream();

ais.writeTo(baos);

var bytes = baos.toByteArray();

baos.close();

return this._b64Encode(bytes);

} catch (e) {

gs.error('GAD ERR: base64 read failed for attachment ' + attachmentSysId + ': ' + e.message);

return null;

}*/

var gsa = new GlideSysAttachment();

var inputStream = gsa.getContentStream(attachmentSysId);

if(!inputStream){

gs.error("No stream for attachment:"+attachmentSysId)

return null;

}

var baos = new Packages.java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream();

var buffer = Packages.java.lang.reflect.Array.newInstance(java.lang.Byte.TYPE, 4096);

var bytesRead;

while((bytesRead = inputStream.read(buffer)) != -1){

baos.write(buffer,0,bytesRead);

}var bytes = baos.toByteArray();

var base64 = GlideStringUtil.base64Encode(bytes);

return base64;

} catch (e){

gs.error("STREAM ERROR:"+e.message);

return null;

}

Re: Base64 is returning null in scoped application REST API explorer

pr8172510 — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:20:24 GMT

Hi @APRAJITAPAL

This issue is because you are using Packages.* in a scoped application, which is restricted and results in null / failure.

Instead of using input streams manually, use the OOTB API:

var gsa = new GlideSysAttachment();
var base64 = gsa.getContentBase64(attachmentSysId);
return base64;

This works in scoped apps and avoids stream handling issues.

If getContentBase64() still returns null, then check:

Attachment exists and sys_id is correct
Attachment is accessible in current scope (ACLs)

Re: Base64 is returning null in scoped application REST API explorer

Ankur Bawiskar — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:49:33 GMT

@APRAJITAPAL

are you in scoped app or global scope?