CVE-2010-2245 in Wink
Summary
by MITRE
XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in Apache Wink 1.1.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or cause a denial of service via a crafted XML document.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2025
The CVE-2010-2245 vulnerability represents a critical XML External Entity flaw discovered in Apache Wink versions 1.1.1 and earlier, fundamentally compromising the security posture of affected systems. This vulnerability resides within the XML processing mechanisms of the Apache Wink framework, which is designed to facilitate the creation and consumption of web services using the REST architectural style. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit the framework's handling of XML documents, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access and system disruption. The vulnerability specifically affects applications that utilize Apache Wink's XML parsing capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where web services process untrusted XML input from external sources.
The technical implementation of this XXE vulnerability stems from the framework's failure to properly validate and sanitize external entity references within XML documents. When Apache Wink processes XML content, it does not adequately restrict the resolution of external entities, allowing attackers to craft malicious XML payloads that reference external resources. This misconfiguration enables the exploitation of the XML parser to access local file systems, retrieve sensitive information from remote servers, or perform denial of service attacks. The vulnerability operates at the parser level, meaning that any application leveraging Apache Wink's XML processing functionality becomes susceptible to this attack vector regardless of the application's own security measures. This weakness aligns with CWE-611, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, a well-documented category of vulnerabilities in the CWE database.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2245 extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing both information disclosure and availability concerns that can severely compromise enterprise security. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read arbitrary files from the server's file system, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or application source code. The vulnerability also enables denial of service scenarios where malformed XML documents can cause the application to consume excessive resources or crash entirely. In enterprise environments, this could lead to complete service outages, data breaches, or unauthorized access to critical business information. The attack surface is particularly wide since many web applications that process XML input rely on standard XML parsers, making the exploitation of this vulnerability potentially widespread across multiple systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving "Exploitation for Credential Access" and "Resource Hijacking" due to the potential for both information extraction and system disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2245 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability within the Apache Wink framework. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Apache Wink version 1.1.2 or later, which includes patches specifically designed to prevent external entity resolution in XML processing. Additionally, implementing proper XML parser configuration settings can help mitigate the risk, including disabling external entity resolution and DTD processing entirely. Security teams should also consider implementing input validation measures that filter or sanitize XML content before processing, particularly when dealing with untrusted inputs from external sources. Network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional protection by monitoring for suspicious XML traffic patterns. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications while maintaining the security posture. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing affected versions of Apache Wink and implement monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.