CVE-2001-0260 in Domino Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Lotus Domino Mail Server 5.0.5 and earlier allows a remote attacker to crash the server or execute arbitrary code via a long "RCPT TO" command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0260 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM Lotus Domino Mail Server version 5.0.5 and earlier releases. This security weakness specifically manifests during the processing of email commands, particularly when handling the "RCPT TO" command which is part of the standard smtp protocol used for email delivery. The buffer overflow occurs when the server receives a malformed email command containing an excessively long recipient address, causing the application to write beyond the allocated memory buffer and potentially overwrite adjacent memory regions.
This technical flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate input validation within the mail server's smtp processing routines, where the application fails to properly sanitize or limit the length of the recipient address field before processing it. The implementation lacks proper bounds checking mechanisms that would typically validate input length against predefined buffer sizes, creating an exploitable condition where malicious input can corrupt memory structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to either crash the mail server, leading to denial of service for legitimate email users, or more critically execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of the mail server process. This remote code execution capability represents a severe threat to email infrastructure security, as attackers could potentially establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the core mail server functionality and can result in complete system compromise without requiring any authentication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0260 should prioritize immediate implementation of vendor patches and updates, as IBM released fixes specifically addressing this buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as smtp filtering rules that limit the length of recipient addresses and monitor for suspicious email command patterns. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual smtp traffic patterns and deploying application-level firewalls that can detect and block malformed email commands will provide layered defense. The remediation approach should also include regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other mail server implementations, with adherence to security best practices such as input validation, least privilege principles, and regular patch management to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.