Vulnerability record · CVE-2010-2263 · published 15 June 2010
CVE-2010-2263: nginx on Windows source code disclosure via ::$DATA URI suffix
F5 · Nginx
nginx versions 0.8 before 0.8.40 and 0.7 before 0.7.66 running on Windows allow remote attackers to read the source code or unparsed content of arbitrary files under the web document root. The flaw is triggered by appending ::$DATA to a URI, abusing Windows NTFS alternate data stream handling. This exposes server-side source and other files that should be interpreted or blocked rather than returned raw.
Description
nginx 0.8 before 0.8.40 and 0.7 before 0.7.66, when running on Windows, allows remote attackers to obtain source code or unparsed content of arbitrary files under the web document root by appending ::$DATA to the URI.
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
Automated analysis
high priorityUnauthenticated remote source code disclosure with public exploit code and very high EPSS, though limited to Windows-hosted nginx in older version ranges.
What it is
nginx versions 0.8 before 0.8.40 and 0.7 before 0.7.66 running on Windows allow remote attackers to read the source code or unparsed content of arbitrary files under the web document root. The flaw is triggered by appending ::$DATA to a URI, abusing Windows NTFS alternate data stream handling. This exposes server-side source and other files that should be interpreted or blocked rather than returned raw.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker gains read access to source code and unparsed content of files within the web document root, which can reveal credentials, business logic and other sensitive data. There is no integrity or availability impact.
Attack surface
Reachable over the network via HTTP by sending a crafted URI with the ::$DATA suffix; no authentication or user interaction is required per the AV:N/AC:L/Au:N vector. Only Windows-hosted nginx deployments in the affected version ranges are exposed.
Exploitation
Public exploit code exists, referenced by Exploit and ExploitDB tags in the references, and EPSS is high at 0.71926 (99.4th percentile). The CVE is not listed in CISA KEV, so no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation is recorded.
What to do
- Upgrade nginx to 0.8.40 or later, or 0.7.66 or later, on Windows hosts.
- If upgrade is not immediately possible, restrict or block requests containing ::$DATA in the URI at the reverse proxy or WAF.
- Move sensitive source and configuration files outside the web document root.
- Verify that static file handling does not serve raw source for script extensions on Windows deployments.
- Review Windows-hosted nginx instances for the affected version ranges and prioritize internet-facing ones.
Detection
- Search web access logs for URIs containing ::$DATA, including URL-encoded variants such as %3A%3A%24DATA.
- Alert on requests for script or configuration file extensions returning 200 with source-like content.
- Monitor for repeated requests appending ::$DATA to known file paths from a single source.
- Audit nginx version strings on Windows hosts against the affected ranges.
This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.
Affected products
1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.
References
| Link | Tags |
|---|---|
| http://spa-s3c.blogspot.com/2010/06/full-responsible-disclosurenginx-engine.html | ExploitRelease NotesThird Party Advisory |
| http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/13818 | ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
| http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/13822 | ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
| http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/40760 | ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
| http://spa-s3c.blogspot.com/2010/06/full-responsible-disclosurenginx-engine.html | ExploitRelease NotesThird Party Advisory |
| http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/13818 | ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
| http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/13822 | ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
| http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/40760 | ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
Track CVE-2010-2263 inside VULONE
Watch it alongside the ransomware crews, C2 infrastructure and forum chatter that reference it, query it through the API and pull it into your SIEM over TAXII.
Related vulnerabilities
Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2010-2263), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.