#vulnerable code 
                                @Override
    public T build() {
        verify();
        // first try to use a builder class if one is available
        try {
            LOGGER.debug("Building Plugin[name={}, class={}]. Searching for builder factory method...", pluginType.getElementName(),
                    pluginType.getPluginClass().getName());
            final Builder<T> builder = createBuilder(this.clazz);
            if (builder != null) {
                injectFields(builder);
                final T result = builder.build();
                LOGGER.debug("Built Plugin[name={}] OK from builder factory method.", pluginType.getElementName());
                return result;
            }
        } catch (final Exception e) {
            LOGGER.catching(Level.ERROR, e);
            LOGGER.error("Unable to inject fields into builder class for plugin type {}, element {}.", this.clazz,
                node.getName());
        }
        // or fall back to factory method if no builder class is available
        try {
            LOGGER.debug("Still building Plugin[name={}, class={}]. Searching for factory method...",
                    pluginType.getElementName(), pluginType.getPluginClass().getName());
            final Method factory = findFactoryMethod(this.clazz);
            final Object[] params = generateParameters(factory);
            @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
            final T plugin = (T) factory.invoke(null, params);
            LOGGER.debug("Built Plugin[name={}] OK from factory method.", pluginType.getElementName());
            return plugin;
        } catch (final Exception e) {
            LOGGER.catching(Level.ERROR, e);
            LOGGER.error("Unable to invoke factory method in class {} for element {}.", this.clazz, this.node.getName());
            return null;
        }
    } 
                            #location 27 
                            #vulnerability type NULL_DEREFERENCE
#fixed code
                                @Override
    public T build() {
        verify();
        // first try to use a builder class if one is available
        try {
            LOGGER.debug("Building Plugin[name={}, class={}]. Searching for builder factory method...", pluginType.getElementName(),
                    pluginType.getPluginClass().getName());
            final Builder<T> builder = createBuilder(this.clazz);
            if (builder != null) {
                injectFields(builder);
                final T result = builder.build();
                LOGGER.debug("Built Plugin[name={}] OK from builder factory method.", pluginType.getElementName());
                return result;
            }
        } catch (final Exception e) {
            LOGGER.error("Unable to inject fields into builder class for plugin type {}, element {}.", this.clazz,
                node.getName(), e);
        }
        // or fall back to factory method if no builder class is available
        try {
            LOGGER.debug("Still building Plugin[name={}, class={}]. Searching for factory method...",
                    pluginType.getElementName(), pluginType.getPluginClass().getName());
            final Method factory = findFactoryMethod(this.clazz);
            final Object[] params = generateParameters(factory);
            @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
            final T plugin = (T) factory.invoke(null, params);
            LOGGER.debug("Built Plugin[name={}] OK from factory method.", pluginType.getElementName());
            return plugin;
        } catch (final Exception e) {
            LOGGER.error("Unable to invoke factory method in class {} for element {}.", this.clazz, this.node.getName(),
                e);
            return null;
        }
    }