CVE-2002-1010 in Domino R4
Summary
by MITRE
Lotus Domino R4 allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions for files in the web root via an HTTP request appended with a "?" character, which is treated as a wildcard character and bypasses the web handlers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1010 represents a critical access control flaw within IBM Lotus Domino R4 web server implementation that fundamentally undermines the security model of the application. This issue stems from improper handling of HTTP requests containing question mark characters in the URI path, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to protected resources within the web root directory. The vulnerability specifically affects the web handler processing mechanism, where the Domino server fails to properly validate and sanitize incoming HTTP requests before determining access permissions. The question mark character, when appended to a request path, is incorrectly interpreted as a wildcard pattern matcher rather than a query parameter delimiter, allowing attackers to circumvent the normal access control checks that should be enforced for web content. This misinterpretation occurs at the core level of the web server's request processing logic, where the system fails to distinguish between legitimate query parameters and malicious path manipulation attempts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages a fundamental flaw in the Domino server's path resolution and access control enforcement mechanisms. When an HTTP request containing a question mark character is received, the web server's internal processing logic treats the character as a pattern matching operator rather than a standard query string delimiter, effectively bypassing the web handlers that normally enforce access restrictions. This allows attackers to request files or directories that would normally be protected or restricted, potentially accessing sensitive documents, configuration files, or system resources that should be unavailable to unauthenticated or unauthorized users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard HTTP requests without requiring special tools or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed by anyone with network access to the Domino server. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of improper input validation and access control implementation that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it represents a complete breakdown in the security boundaries that the Lotus Domino web server is designed to maintain. Attackers can potentially access sensitive business data, configuration files containing administrative credentials, or system documentation that could provide additional attack vectors. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the security model, as it allows unauthorized access to protected resources that should remain restricted to authenticated users or specific roles. This flaw could enable information disclosure attacks that might expose proprietary business information, user data, or system configurations that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where Lotus Domino servers often host critical business applications and sensitive corporate data, making this vulnerability a significant threat to organizational security. Organizations using this version of Domino would be exposed to potential data breaches, compliance violations, and operational disruptions that could result in substantial financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control enforcement within the Domino web server configuration. Organizations should consider applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address the specific handling of question mark characters in HTTP requests and ensure proper validation of URI paths. Network-level mitigations such as implementing web application firewalls or access control lists that filter out suspicious request patterns can provide additional protection. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unusual request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security administrators should also review and harden the web server configuration to ensure that access restrictions are properly enforced regardless of the request format. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper input validation, aligning with CWE-20 standards for improper input validation and ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems, while organizations should plan for migration to supported versions of Domino that address these fundamental security flaws. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust access control mechanisms in web server implementations.