CVE-2001-0847 in Domino Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Lotus Domino Web Server 5.x allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information by accessing the default navigator $defaultNav via (1) URL encoding the request, or (2) directly requesting the ReplicaID.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0847 affects Lotus Domino Web Server version 5.x and represents a significant information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive system information. This vulnerability specifically targets the default navigator component known as $defaultNav within the Lotus Domino server implementation, which serves as a critical interface for web-based access to database navigation and content. The flaw exists in the server's handling of requests for default navigation components, creating an unintended pathway for unauthorized information retrieval that could expose sensitive data about the server's internal structure and configuration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct but related attack vectors that leverage the server's response to malformed or specially crafted requests. The first method involves URL encoding the request to access the $defaultNav component, which allows attackers to manipulate the standard navigation path through encoded parameters that bypass normal access controls. The second approach directly requests the ReplicaID, which serves as a unique identifier for database replicas within the Lotus Domino environment. Both methods exploit weaknesses in the server's input validation and access control mechanisms, where the system fails to properly authenticate or authorize requests for default navigation components, resulting in the exposure of sensitive information that should remain restricted to authorized users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data exposed through the $defaultNav component can include database structure details, replica identifiers, and potentially other system metadata that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain insights into the server's internal architecture, database relationships, and potentially identify other vulnerable components within the Lotus Domino environment. This information disclosure creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, including potential database enumeration, privilege escalation attempts, and targeted exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the same system. The exposure of ReplicaID information particularly concerning as it provides attackers with specific identifiers that could be used to craft more precise attacks against specific database replicas.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper access control, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation combined with inadequate access restrictions. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the reconnaissance phase of the kill chain, where adversaries gather intelligence about target systems before attempting more direct exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as information gathering activity, specifically under the technique of "T1082 - System Information Discovery," where attackers collect data about the target system's configuration and structure. Organizations running Lotus Domino Web Server 5.x are particularly vulnerable to this attack vector as the software's default configuration does not adequately protect against unauthorized access to navigation components, creating an inherent security weakness that persists across multiple attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation mechanisms within the Lotus Domino Web Server configuration. Organizations should ensure that default navigation components are properly secured through authentication requirements and that URL encoding attempts are properly validated and restricted. The recommended approach includes updating to supported versions of Lotus Domino that address this information disclosure vulnerability, implementing network-level access controls to restrict access to sensitive server components, and configuring proper authentication mechanisms for all web-accessible navigation features. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that navigation components are not exposed to unauthorized users and that proper access logging is implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious URL patterns and access attempts that match the exploitation methods described in this vulnerability.