CVE-2010-0387 in Java System Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in (1) webservd and (2) the admin server in Sun Java System Web Server 7.0 Update 7 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) and possibly have unspecified other impact via a long string in an "Authorization: Digest" HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0387 represents a critical security flaw affecting Sun Java System Web Server 7.0 Update 7, specifically targeting two core components including the webservd daemon and the admin server. This issue manifests as heap-based buffer overflows that occur when processing HTTP requests containing malformed Authorization: Digest headers. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue where data written to allocated memory space exceeds the boundaries of the allocated buffer. The affected software components operate at the core of web server functionality, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the web server processes HTTP requests containing excessively long strings within the Authorization: Digest header field. When the server attempts to parse and handle these malformed headers, it fails to properly validate the input length against the allocated buffer space, resulting in memory corruption that triggers heap overflow conditions. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages standard HTTP authentication mechanisms that are commonly used in web applications and network communications. This vulnerability specifically impacts the digest authentication scheme which is part of the http authentication framework and is defined in rfc 2617, making it a legitimate authentication method that attackers can exploit to disrupt service operations. The operational impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the heap corruption can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or information disclosure, though the exact scope of additional impacts remains unspecified in the original vulnerability report.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability present significant risks to organizations relying on Sun Java System Web Server 7.0 Update 7 for their web infrastructure. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to crash the web server daemons, causing complete service disruption for all hosted applications and websites. The daemon crash can result in extended downtime, loss of availability for critical business applications, and potential financial impact due to service interruptions. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves network denial of service attacks, and represents a classic example of how authentication mechanisms can be weaponized to cause system instability. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network privileges, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers. Organizations with multiple web servers or applications relying on this platform face elevated risk, as a successful exploitation can compromise entire web application infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0387 should prioritize immediate patch application from Oracle, as this vulnerability was addressed through official security updates for the Sun Java System Web Server. Organizations should implement network-level protections including firewall rules that limit access to authentication endpoints and monitor for unusual patterns in Authorization header lengths. The implementation of input validation controls at the web server level can help detect and reject malformed headers before they reach the vulnerable code paths. Security monitoring should include detection of daemon crashes or restarts that could indicate exploitation attempts, while also implementing regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other web server components. Network segmentation strategies can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by isolating critical web applications from less secure network segments. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on HTTP header analysis and unusual authentication request patterns that may indicate attempts to trigger the heap-based buffer overflow conditions.