String index out of range: -1 in ReleaseUtils.loadResolvedDependencies() when using Parent-Module-Layout

[ERROR] Failed to execute goal org.apache.maven.plugins:maven-release-plugin:2.XXX:prepare (default-cli) on project XXX: Execution default-cli of goal org.apache.maven.plugins:maven-release-plugin:2.XXX:prepare failed: String index out of range: -1 -> [Help 1]

This is happening in org.apache.maven.shared.release.config.ReleaseUtils.loadResolvedDependencies(..),
line number 250:

artifactVersionlessKey = propertyName.substring( startIndex, endIndex );

Apparently endIndex can be -1 under special circumstances. Defensive programming fixes the problem.

Proposed patch (see attachment):

if (endIndex > startIndex)

{ artifactVersionlessKey = propertyName.substring( startIndex, endIndex ); }

else

{ artifactVersionlessKey = propertyName.substring( startIndex ); }