=== modified file 'dhis-2/dhis-support/dhis-support-system/src/main/java/org/hisp/dhis/system/util/ValidationUtils.java'
--- dhis-2/dhis-support/dhis-support-system/src/main/java/org/hisp/dhis/system/util/ValidationUtils.java	2014-12-22 09:52:13 +0000
+++ dhis-2/dhis-support/dhis-support-system/src/main/java/org/hisp/dhis/system/util/ValidationUtils.java	2014-12-22 09:56:13 +0000
@@ -396,11 +396,11 @@
             return false;
         }
 
-        byte[] bytes = value.getBytes();
+        char[] chars = value.toCharArray();
 
-        for ( int i = 1; i < bytes.length; i++ )
+        for ( int i = 1; i < chars.length; i++ )
         {
-            if ( !Verifier.isHexDigit( (char) bytes[i] ) )
+            if ( !Verifier.isHexDigit( chars[i] ) )
             {
                 return false;
             }