CVE-2001-0602 in Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Lotus Domino R5 prior to 5.0.7 allows a remote attacker to create a denial of service via repeated (>400) URL requests for DOS devices.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0602 affects IBM Lotus Domino R5 versions prior to 5.0.7, representing a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely by attackers. This flaw specifically targets the handling of URL requests directed toward DOS devices within the Domino server infrastructure, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt normal service operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and resource management within the web server component of the Lotus Domino platform, which fails to properly handle excessive requests for device access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the server's inability to properly throttle or limit repeated requests for DOS devices, allowing an attacker to flood the system with over 400 consecutive URL requests targeting these resources. This excessive request volume causes the Domino server to consume disproportionate system resources, leading to performance degradation and ultimately complete service unavailability. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by anyone with network access to the vulnerable server. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-400 as an uncontrolled resource consumption issue, where the system fails to properly manage resource allocation in response to excessive input requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise business continuity for organizations relying on Lotus Domino for email and collaboration services. When exploited successfully, the denial of service attack can render the entire Domino server inoperable, affecting thousands of users who depend on email services, web applications, and collaboration features. The attack can be executed rapidly and with minimal resources, making it an attractive vector for both opportunistic attackers and those seeking to cause disruption. Organizations may experience extended downtime while attempting to restore normal operations, potentially resulting in significant productivity losses and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the official IBM security patch version 5.0.7, which addresses the resource management flaw in the Domino server's web handling component. Network administrators should implement rate limiting mechanisms at the firewall or proxy level to restrict the number of requests that can be made to the Domino server within a given time period, preventing the exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns of excessive URL requests may help in early detection of attempted attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, where adversaries leverage application-level flaws to exhaust system resources and disrupt service availability. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant systems and regular backup procedures to minimize the impact of such attacks, while maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to monitor for related exploitation attempts.