CVE-2010-0719 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An unspecified API in Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Windows 7 does not validate arguments, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
This vulnerability resides in an unspecified application programming interface within multiple versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system spanning from Windows 2000 through Windows 7. The core issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the API implementation, specifically failing to properly validate argument parameters passed to the system functions. This fundamental flaw creates a condition where malicious or malformed inputs can trigger unexpected behavior in the operating system kernel or system services. The vulnerability represents a classic example of a buffer over-read or parameter validation failure that falls under the broader category of software quality assurance issues. According to CWE classification, this maps to CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation," a fundamental weakness that allows attackers to manipulate system behavior through malformed inputs. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level, where improper argument handling can lead to complete system instability and crash conditions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific applications that deliberately pass invalid or malformed arguments to the vulnerable API functions, triggering system-level exceptions that ultimately result in system crashes or reboots.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged to create persistent system instability that affects user productivity and system availability. Local users who can execute code on the target system have the capability to exploit this vulnerability, which means the attack vector does not require network connectivity or remote execution capabilities. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible, such as shared computing environments, public terminals, or systems where users have legitimate access but could be compromised. The attack requires minimal sophistication since it only necessitates the creation of a crafted application that invokes the vulnerable API with malicious arguments. The system crash that results from exploitation can be particularly disruptive in enterprise environments where system uptime is critical for business operations. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Execution, specifically targeting system-level APIs to achieve privilege escalation or system compromise. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Windows versions indicates a long-standing issue in Microsoft's API design and implementation practices that was not adequately addressed in the affected operating system versions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on both immediate system hardening and long-term architectural improvements. Microsoft addressed this issue through security updates and patches that improved argument validation within the affected APIs, though the vulnerability's nature required fundamental changes to how the system handles API inputs. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant security patches that Microsoft released for each affected operating system version, as these updates contain the necessary fixes to validate API arguments properly. System administrators should implement additional controls such as limiting local user privileges and monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation practices in system-level programming, where all external inputs, including those from legitimate applications, should be rigorously validated before processing. Network segmentation and access controls can help reduce the attack surface by limiting local access to systems where this vulnerability exists. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the necessity of adhering to security standards such as those outlined in ISO 27001 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, which emphasize the importance of input validation and proper error handling in system design. The incident also underscores the need for regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in legacy systems that may not have received adequate security updates over time.