2660847 - Error while searching for a user in UME - null object loaded from field com.sap.conn.jco.rt.TableParameter.table

While searching for a user in the Enterprise Portal, the following error message and exception can be experienced:

In DefaultTrace<X> files:

[...]
An exception was thrown in the UME/ABAP user management connector. This exception might be caused by incorrect user input. It is written to the trace to assist case analysis by SAP. Only messages also appearing in the log require administrator assistance.
[EXCEPTION]
com.sap.conn.jco.JCoException: (108) JCO_ERROR_INTERNAL: java.lang.NullPointerException: while trying to read the field 'metaData' of a null object loaded from field com.sap.conn.jco.rt.TableParameter.table of an object loaded from local variable 'this'
[...]
Caused by: com.sap.conn.jco.JCoException: (108) JCO_ERROR_INTERNAL: java.lang.NullPointerException: while trying to read the field 'metaData' of a null object loaded from field com.sap.conn.jco.rt.TableParameter.table of an object loaded from local variable 'this'
[...]
Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException: while trying to read the field 'metaData' of a null object loaded from field com.sap.conn.jco.rt.TableParameter.table of an object loaded from local variable 'this'
[...]

SAP NetWeaver Application Server for Java 7.1X/7.2/7.3X/7.4/7.5

UME, searching a user, Enterprise Portal, NullPointerException, metaData, TableParameter , KBA , BC-JAS-SEC-UME , User Management Engine , BC-NET , Formerly used for network tests , BC-JAS-SEC-LGN , Logon, SSO , Problem