CVE-2002-2014 in Lotus Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Lotus Domino 5.0.8 web server returns different error messages when a valid or invalid user is provided in HTTP requests, which allows remote attackers to determine valid user names and makes it easier to conduct brute force attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2014 affects IBM Lotus Domino 5.0.8 web server implementations where the system provides different error responses based on whether a username exists in the system. This behavior represents a classic information disclosure issue that significantly weakens the security posture of the affected web server. The flaw manifests when HTTP requests are submitted to the Domino server, with the server responding with distinct error messages for valid versus invalid user credentials, creating a predictable pattern that adversaries can exploit.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through error messages, and also relates to CWE-305, which covers authentication bypass through multiple attempts. The technical implementation flaw occurs at the application level where the Domino web server does not normalize its error responses regardless of the authentication state. When an attacker submits a request with a username, the server returns a specific error message indicating whether the user account exists, creating a reconnaissance opportunity that bypasses normal security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables automated enumeration attacks where malicious actors can systematically determine valid usernames within the Domino directory. This information disclosure makes subsequent brute force attacks significantly more efficient, as attackers no longer need to guess usernames randomly but can focus their efforts on known valid accounts. The vulnerability affects the authentication mechanism by providing attackers with a reliable method to identify valid users, reducing the effective entropy of the authentication system and making password cracking attacks more successful.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1586 for credential access through brute force methods and T1592 for reconnaissance through information gathering. The flaw enables attackers to conduct systematic user enumeration attacks that can be automated, making the exploitation process more efficient and less detectable. The impact extends beyond simple user discovery as it provides a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation and access to sensitive information within the Domino environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including configuring the Domino server to return consistent error messages regardless of authentication state, disabling unnecessary authentication endpoints, and implementing account lockout mechanisms. Network-level protections such as rate limiting and IP address monitoring can help detect and prevent automated enumeration attempts. Regular security audits should verify that authentication responses are normalized and that no information disclosure occurs through error messages. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper error handling in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and access control mechanisms to reduce the impact of successful enumeration attacks.