CVE-2002-0407 in Domino
Summary
by MITRE
htcgibin.exe in Lotus Domino server 5.0.9a and earlier allows remote attackers to determine the physical pathname for the server via requests that contain certain MS-DOS device names such as com5, such as (1) a request with a .pl or .java extension, or (2) a request containing a large number of periods, which causes htcgibin.exe to leak the pathname in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0407 affects the Lotus Domino server version 5.0.9a and earlier, specifically targeting the htcgibin.exe component responsible for handling web server requests. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the server processes certain malformed requests containing MS-DOS device names such as com5. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web server's request handling mechanism, allowing remote attackers to exploit the system's response to malformed inputs.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary vectors that leverage the server's inadequate handling of special characters and file extensions. The first method involves sending requests with file extensions such as .pl or .java, which triggers the server's internal processing to reveal the physical server path through error messages. The second vector utilizes requests containing an excessive number of periods, which causes the htcgibin.exe component to generate error responses that inadvertently disclose the server's physical directory structure. This information disclosure occurs because the server's error handling routines do not properly sanitize or filter the input before generating diagnostic messages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked physical path information provides attackers with critical system architecture details that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks. The disclosed path information can be used to map the server's directory structure, potentially revealing sensitive files, configuration data, or other system components that might be vulnerable to exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper handling of sensitive information, and represents a significant security risk in environments where the Domino server handles sensitive data or serves as a critical infrastructure component. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to any attacker with network connectivity to the affected server.
The security implications of this vulnerability are compounded by the fact that it affects a widely deployed enterprise application that often serves as a web portal for business-critical applications. Organizations running affected versions of Lotus Domino servers are exposed to potential reconnaissance attacks that can lead to more sophisticated exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the server's input validation mechanisms and highlights the importance of proper error handling in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), as the information disclosure can serve as a foundation for further attack phases.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations that include upgrading to patched versions of Lotus Domino server, implementing input validation measures to filter out special characters and MS-DOS device names, and configuring proper error handling to prevent information leakage. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure, while monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the need for regular security assessments of legacy systems and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all server components to prevent similar information disclosure scenarios from compromising system integrity.