Corrupted product category causes WebClient UI empty screen issue

Issue

Once product hyperlink in sales order line item is clicked, it is expected that product overview page is opened.

Instead the empty screen is displayed now:

The error is raised in the context of partner determination procedure related logic.

COM_PRODUCT_GET_PARTNER_PROC returns with error code 3: data_inconsistent.

Due to this error, we move to the ELSE branch where the MESSAGE ID statement is executed. Since we are currently in WebClient UI runtime environment as a result exception is raised with error message “Message E COM_HIERARCHY 000 cannot be processed in plugin mode HTTPS”.

The root cause of sy-subrc 3 ( data_inconsistent ) error is a corrupted product category assigned to the given product.

This product category does not have any hierarchy ID assigned so function module COM_HIERARCHY_READ raises the exception data_inconsistent.

Once I remove this erroneous category from product, the product overview page could be opened again.