CVE-2001-0130 in Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in HTML parser of the Lotus R5 Domino Server before 5.06, and Domino Client before 5.05, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary commands via a malformed font size specifier.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0130 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the HTML parsing component of IBM Lotus Domino Server and Client software versions prior to 5.06 and 5.05 respectively. This issue resides in the software's handling of malformed font size specifiers within HTML content, creating a pathway for remote exploitation that can result in both denial of service conditions and potential arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects the HTML parser's ability to process font size attributes, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overflow memory buffers and manipulate program execution flow. The impact extends across both server and client implementations, indicating a fundamental flaw in the parsing logic that affects the entire Domino ecosystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking leads to memory corruption. The flaw manifests when the HTML parser encounters malformed font size specifications that exceed allocated buffer boundaries, potentially causing stack or heap corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 for command and script injection, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing phase when font size attributes are processed without adequate validation of input length or format, allowing maliciously crafted HTML content to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the potential for arbitrary code execution creates serious security implications for organizations relying on Domino servers. When exploited, the vulnerability could allow remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. The affected versions represent a significant attack surface since Lotus Domino was widely deployed for email and collaboration services, making these systems prime targets for exploitation. Organizations using vulnerable versions face risks of service disruption, unauthorized data access, and potential lateral movement within network environments where Domino servers operate as central communication hubs.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Domino Server and Client installations to versions 5.06 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the HTML parsing buffer overflow. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of Domino servers to untrusted networks, while input validation mechanisms should be enhanced to filter malformed HTML content before processing. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual HTML content patterns and potential exploitation attempts targeting the specific font size parsing vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of Lotus Domino and implement proper incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper buffer size validation and bounds checking within the HTML parser component, preventing the overflow conditions that enable both denial of service and arbitrary code execution scenarios.