CVE-2001-0954 in Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Lotus Domino 5.0.5 and 5.0.8, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (block access to databases that have not been previously accessed) via a URL that includes the . (dot) directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0954 represents a significant denial of service weakness in IBM Lotus Domino email and collaboration server software versions 5.0.5 and 5.0.8, with potential impact extending to other versions in the same release line. This flaw specifically targets the web server component of Lotus Domino, which serves as the primary interface for accessing databases and email services through HTTP requests. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and path traversal handling within the web server's URL processing mechanism, creating a condition where maliciously crafted URLs can manipulate the server's database access behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of Uniform Resource Locator requests that contain dot directory references. When a remote attacker crafts a URL containing the dot (.) directory component, the Lotus Domino web server processes this input without proper validation, leading to a specific denial of service condition. The server becomes unable to properly access databases that have not been previously accessed, effectively blocking legitimate user access to those database resources. This behavior stems from the server's failure to properly sanitize or normalize directory traversal sequences in the URL path, allowing the malicious dot references to interfere with the normal database access protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as it can effectively render database resources inaccessible to legitimate users while maintaining the server's operational status. This creates a scenario where authorized users cannot access their email, calendar, or other database resources, while the server itself remains functional but unable to process valid requests for these resources. The vulnerability particularly affects collaborative environments where multiple users depend on shared databases, potentially causing widespread disruption to business operations and communication workflows. Network administrators may observe unusual server behavior patterns, including failed database access attempts and increased error logging related to resource access failures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within the web server configuration. Organizations should consider applying the official IBM security patches released for Lotus Domino versions 5.0.5 and 5.0.8, which address the specific path traversal handling issue. Network security controls including web application firewalls and URL filtering mechanisms can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious URL patterns containing dot directory references. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-400 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption categories, representing a classic example of insufficient input validation that can lead to resource exhaustion and service disruption. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for denial of service and T1566.001 for initial access through web application exploitation, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations.