CVE-2002-0086 in Lotus Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in bindsock in Lotus Domino 5.0.4 and 5.0.7 on Linux allows local users to gain root privileges via a long (1) Notes_ExecDirectory or (2) PATH environment variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0086 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the bindsock component of IBM Lotus Domino versions 5.0.4 and 5.0.7 running on Linux systems. This vulnerability resides in the handling of environment variables, specifically Notes_ExecDirectory and PATH, which are processed during the initialization of the Domino server. The buffer overflow occurs when these environment variables exceed the allocated buffer space, creating a condition where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the local user level, meaning any user with access to the system can exploit it to escalate privileges to the root level, effectively compromising the entire system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer allocated on the stack. This type of vulnerability falls squarely within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation category, specifically under T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation".
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a local attacker to manipulate the Notes_ExecDirectory or PATH environment variables with excessively long strings that exceed the buffer capacity allocated for these variables. When the bindsock component processes these environment variables, it fails to perform proper bounds checking, allowing the overflow to occur and potentially overwrite the return address of the calling function or other critical memory structures. The successful exploitation results in the execution of arbitrary code with the elevated privileges of the root user, effectively providing complete system control. This type of vulnerability is particularly insidious because it does not require network access or remote exploitation, making it easier to exploit in local attack scenarios where an attacker already has some level of system access. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can provide attackers with persistent access to the system, enabling them to install backdoors, modify system files, or exfiltrate sensitive data.
Organizations running affected versions of Lotus Domino on Linux systems face significant operational risks from this vulnerability. The local privilege escalation capability means that even if an attacker initially gains access through a low-privilege account, they can quickly escalate their access to full administrative control. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Domino servers often handle sensitive business data and may be running with elevated privileges. The exploitation process is relatively straightforward, requiring only local access and the ability to set environment variables, which makes it accessible to a wide range of potential attackers including insiders with malicious intent. System administrators should be aware that this vulnerability can be exploited without any network exposure, making traditional network-based security controls ineffective against this specific threat. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in system components, as the issue stems from inadequate protection against malformed input in environment variable processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0086 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. The most effective solution is to upgrade to a patched version of IBM Lotus Domino that addresses this buffer overflow vulnerability, as IBM would have released security updates specifically targeting this issue. Organizations should also implement environment variable restrictions and validation to prevent overly long values from being processed by the Domino server. System administrators should consider implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual environment variable modifications. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the Domino server with minimal required privileges rather than as root, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect any unauthorized access attempts or privilege escalation activities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regular security updates and the need for comprehensive security testing of all system components, particularly those handling user-supplied input or environment variables. Organizations should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other system components.