Below documents how I was able to reset the ias_admin password for an Oracle Application Server 9i instance. This may or may not work on other versions or products. If in doubt, check with support.

Oracle's Enterprise Manager Web Site will enforce use of the current Administrator (ias_admin) password when you log in to Enterprise Manager, stop the Enterprise Manager Service, or change the ias_admin password. If you have forgotten your ias_admin password then you must reset it using the following procedure while you are logged on to your system as the person who installed Oracle Application Server:

1. Edit the following file and locate the line that defines the credentials property for use the ias_admin user:

$ORACLE_HOME/sysman/j2ee/config/jazn-data.xml

The jazn-data.xml with the credentials entry in boldface type:

PLAIN TEXT
XML:
  1. <code><realm>
  2. <name>enterprise-manager</name>
  3. <users>
  4. <user>
  5. <name>ias_admin</name>
  6. <credentials>sMrtt1fssLblHhltt97PfnotPLwWsaFr</credentials>
  7. </user></users></realm></code>

2. Remove the entire line that contains the credentials property from jazn-data.xml.

3. Set a new password with emctl set password reset new_password

I hope this helps if folks have this same problem, but as I mentioned above, mileage may vary. If you're unsure, check with support.

oracle, application server, oas