CWE-600: Uncaught Exception in Servlet

Extended Description

When a Servlet throws an exception, the default error response the Servlet container sends back to the user typically includes debugging information. This information is of great value to an attacker. For example, a stack trace might show the attacker a malformed SQL query string, the type of database being used, and the version of the application container. This information enables the attacker to target known vulnerabilities in these components.

Code Examples & CVEs

Demonstrative Examples

The following example attempts to resolve a hostname.

A DNS lookup failure will cause the Servlet to throw an exception.

BadJava

protected void doPost (HttpServletRequest req, HttpServletResponse res) throws IOException {String ip = req.getRemoteAddr();InetAddress addr = InetAddress.getByName(ip);...out.println("hello " + addr.getHostName());}

Source-backed guidance

Additional facts reviewed against primary or authoritative security sources.

Verify controls for CWE-600 with SSDF evidence

Use NIST SSDF verification and vulnerability-response practices to detect CWE-600, Uncaught Exception in Servlet, throughout the product lifecycle. Derive review questions, static or dynamic checks, and negative tests from the CWE's causal behavior; define the components and lifecycle stages each check covers; and retain findings with enough evidence to distinguish the root cause from symptoms and impacts. Track escapes and false negatives, then improve the verification plan after every confirmed occurrence.

NIST SP 800-218 Secure Software Development Framework — National Institute of Standards and Technology

Address Uncaught Exception in Servlet during Implementation

MITRE associates mitigation with Implementation; recorded impacts include Read Application Data, and DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; related weaknesses include CWE-248, CWE-209, and CWE-390. Use these source-defined anchors to turn CWE-600 into implementation, review, and verification checks for the affected component.

CWE-600: Uncaught Exception in Servlet — MITRE CWE

Triage CWE-600 against known exploitation evidence

Use CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog to test whether a vulnerability mapped to CWE-600, Uncaught Exception in Servlet, has evidence of exploitation in the wild. Confirm the CVE-to-CWE root-cause mapping independently before attaching the example, then capture the affected product, required action, and remediation deadline. A missing KEV match is not evidence that the weakness is unexploited, and a KEV entry must not be generalized to every occurrence of this CWE.

Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog — Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Apply precise root-cause mapping to CWE-600

Apply MITRE's full root-cause mapping guidance when using CWE-600, Uncaught Exception in Servlet. Separate weakness language from attacker prerequisites and technical impact, check the entry's abstraction and vulnerability-mapping notes, and prefer the most specific Base or Variant supported by the evidence. Record the rejected alternatives and require an independent review before the mapping is used for remediation trends or program metrics.

CVE to CWE Root Cause Mapping Guidance — MITRE CWE

Validate CWE-600 with root-cause mapping checks

Apply MITRE's root-cause mapping quick tips to CWE-600, Uncaught Exception in Servlet. Confirm the finding describes the causal weakness rather than an impact or attack pattern, compare the abstraction and mapping notes with plausible alternatives, and have a second reviewer challenge the selection. Preserve the evidence and reasoning so recurring defects can be measured against one consistent identifier.

CVE to CWE Root Cause Mapping Quick Tips — MITRE CWE

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-600: Uncaught Exception in Servlet?+

CWE-600: Uncaught Exception in Servlet is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The Servlet does not catch all exceptions, which may reveal sensitive debugging information. When a Servlet throws an exception, the default error response the Servlet container sends back to the user typically includes debugging information. This information is of great value to an attacker. For example, a stack trace might show the attacker a malformed SQL query string, the type of database being used, and the version of the application container. This information enables the attacker to target known vulnerabilities in these components.

What are the security consequences of Uncaught Exception in Servlet?+

If exploited, CWE-600 (Uncaught Exception in Servlet) it can compromise Confidentiality and Availability, leading to outcomes such as Read Application Data and DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart.

How do you prevent or mitigate Uncaught Exception in Servlet?+

Recommended mitigations for CWE-600 include: Implement Exception blocks to handle all types of Exceptions.

Which programming languages are affected by Uncaught Exception in Servlet?+

CWE-600 commonly affects Java. Note that weaknesses are often language-agnostic patterns, so secure coding practices apply broadly.

What is the difference between a CWE and a CVE?+

A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-600 describes a category of software weakness — the underlying flaw type. A CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) identifies a specific, real-world vulnerability in a particular product. In short, a CWE is the kind of mistake, and a CVE is an instance of that mistake being found in software.

CWE-600: Uncaught Exception in Servlet

Extended Description

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