CVE-2010-0388 in Java System Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the WebDAV implementation in webservd in Sun Java System Web Server 7.0 Update 6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) and possibly have unspecified other impact via format string specifiers in the encoding attribute of the XML declaration in a PROPFIND request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0388 represents a critical format string flaw within the WebDAV implementation of Sun Java System Web Server 7.0 Update 6. This issue specifically affects the webservd daemon component that handles WebDAV protocol operations, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this web server platform. The vulnerability manifests when processing PROPFIND requests containing specially crafted XML declarations with malicious format string specifiers in the encoding attribute, fundamentally compromising the server's stability and potentially enabling broader exploitation vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation within the WebDAV subsystem where the server fails to properly sanitize format string specifiers in XML encoding attributes. When a malicious PROPFIND request is submitted containing crafted format string specifiers such as %n, %s, or other printf-style format specifiers, the web server daemon processes these without adequate sanitization, leading to memory corruption and subsequent daemon crash. This represents a classic format string vulnerability classified under CWE-134 which specifically addresses the use of untrusted data in format string functions. The flaw exists in the server's XML parsing logic where it directly incorporates user-supplied encoding values into format string operations without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. While the primary effect is daemon crash causing service interruption, the underlying memory corruption issues could theoretically be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges depending on the server's execution environment and memory layout. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to disrupt web services, potentially causing business disruption and data unavailability. The vulnerability affects organizations using Sun Java System Web Server 7.0 Update 6 in production environments, particularly those with active WebDAV functionality enabled, making it a significant concern for enterprise security posture. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a critical weakness in application input handling that could be exploited as part of broader attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0388 primarily involve immediate patching of the affected Sun Java System Web Server 7.0 Update 6 installation to the latest available security updates from Oracle. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as firewall rules to restrict access to WebDAV endpoints where possible, and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious PROPFIND requests containing format string specifiers. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling WebDAV functionality entirely if not required, and implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all XML processing components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of direct format string usage with user-controllable data, reinforcing security best practices aligned with OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for secure coding practices.