CVE-2002-0087 in Domino
Summary
by MITRE
bindsock in Lotus Domino 5.07 on Solaris allows local users to create arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0087 affects Lotus Domino 5.07 running on Solaris operating systems and specifically targets the bindsock component. This issue represents a classic symlink attack vulnerability that exploits improper handling of temporary files during the socket binding process. The flaw occurs when the bindsock utility creates temporary files without adequate security measures to prevent symbolic link manipulation by local attackers. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure temporary file handling, which is classified as CWE-377 and CWE-378 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The attack vector leverages the ability of local users to create malicious symbolic links that can redirect the bindsock utility to create files in unintended locations, potentially leading to privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the predictable naming patterns and lack of proper file permission checks in the temporary file creation process. When bindsock attempts to create temporary files for socket operations, it does not validate whether the target file paths are legitimate or if they have been manipulated through symbolic links. This behavior allows attackers to establish symbolic links in the temporary directory that point to sensitive system files or locations where the utility has write permissions. The operational impact extends beyond simple file creation, as attackers can potentially overwrite critical system files, modify configuration data, or create backdoor access points. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local user access, making it difficult to detect and remediate in environments where multiple users share the same system resources.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command-line interfaces and T1548.002 for privilege escalation through legitimate system tools. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges by manipulating the temporary file creation process to write malicious content into system directories or configuration files. The attack typically involves creating a symbolic link in the temporary directory that points to a critical system file, then triggering the bindsock utility to create a temporary file that resolves to the target location. This process can be repeated to gain persistent access or to escalate privileges by modifying system binaries or configuration files that the bindsock utility may access during normal operation. Organizations running Lotus Domino 5.07 on Solaris systems should implement immediate mitigations including proper file permission controls, temporary file directory restrictions, and system monitoring for suspicious symbolic link creation patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure temporary file handling practices and highlights the need for regular security assessments of system components that interact with file systems during execution.