CVE-2010-0361 in Java System Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the WebDAV implementation in webservd in Sun Java System Web Server (aka SJWS) 7.0 Update 7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) and possibly have unspecified other impact via a long URI in an HTTP OPTIONS request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0361 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the WebDAV implementation of Sun Java System Web Server version 7.0 Update 7. This flaw exists in the webservd daemon component that handles HTTP OPTIONS requests containing excessively long URIs. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the WebDAV subsystem, specifically when processing HTTP OPTIONS method calls that include malformed or overly long URI parameters. The buffer overflow occurs due to insufficient bounds checking during the processing of URI data, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability targets the stack memory layout of the webservd process through carefully crafted HTTP OPTIONS requests containing URI strings that exceed the allocated buffer size. When the server processes such requests, the excessive URI data overflows the designated stack buffer, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions including return addresses and control data. This overflow condition can lead to immediate daemon crashes and system instability, while also providing potential opportunities for more sophisticated attacks depending on the memory layout and available attack surface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented and dangerous class of memory corruption flaws.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on Sun Java System Web Server for their web services. The remote denial of service capability allows attackers to disrupt legitimate service availability without requiring authentication or privileged access. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that the buffer overflow might be exploitable for privilege escalation or code execution under certain conditions, making it particularly dangerous for systems where the web server operates with elevated privileges. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only the ability to send HTTP OPTIONS requests to the target server, making it easily exploitable through automated scanning tools and network-based attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for Sun Java System Web Server 7.0 Update 7, which address the buffer overflow by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor and block suspicious HTTP OPTIONS requests with unusually long URI parameters. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization at the application level and regularly updating the web server software to versions that have addressed this vulnerability are essential defensive measures. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks and may potentially map to T1059 for command execution if exploitation leads to code execution capabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other web server components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.