CVE-2005-2428 in Lotus Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Lotus Domino R5 and R6 WebMail, with "Generate HTML for all fields" enabled, stores sensitive data from names.nsf in hidden form fields, which allows remote attackers to read the HTML source to obtain sensitive information such as (1) the password hash in the HTTPPassword field, (2) the password change date in the HTTPPasswordChangeDate field, (3) the client platform in the ClntPltfrm field, (4) the client machine name in the ClntMachine field, and (5) the client Lotus Domino release in the ClntBld field, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-2696.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2428 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in IBM Lotus Domino R5 and R6 WebMail implementations. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the "Generate HTML for all fields" configuration option is enabled, creating a scenario where sensitive authentication and system information becomes inadvertently exposed through web interface elements. The flaw stems from the improper handling of sensitive data within the Domino WebMail application's HTML generation process, where confidential information is stored in hidden form fields rather than being properly secured or filtered from web output. This configuration creates a direct pathway for malicious actors to extract sensitive data simply by examining the HTML source code generated by the web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the webmail application's rendering process where it includes sensitive fields from the names.nsf database in the HTML output, even when those fields contain confidential information. The specific fields at risk include HTTPPassword which contains password hash data, HTTPPasswordChangeDate that reveals password modification timestamps, ClntPltfrm which exposes client platform information, ClntMachine which discloses client machine names, and ClntBld which reveals client Lotus Domino release versions. These fields are typically protected within the Domino directory structure but become accessible when the HTML generation feature is enabled, creating a situation where the application fails to properly sanitize or filter sensitive data before rendering it in web forms. This represents a classic case of insufficient data sanitization and improper access control in web application output generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including credential harvesting and system reconnaissance. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to obtain password hashes which may be subjected to offline cracking attempts, gaining unauthorized access to user accounts. The exposure of password change dates provides attackers with information about account activity patterns and potential password rotation schedules. Client platform and machine name information can be used for targeted attacks against specific operating systems or known vulnerabilities in particular client configurations. The client Domino release information helps attackers identify specific versions that may contain additional vulnerabilities, enabling them to plan more effective exploitation strategies. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a significant weakness in the application's security posture, as it allows attackers to gain sensitive information without requiring authentication or complex attack vectors.
The implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe in enterprise environments where Lotus Domino servers handle sensitive corporate communications and authentication data. Organizations utilizing this version of Domino WebMail without proper mitigation measures face risks of credential compromise, insider threat exploitation, and enhanced attack surface for lateral movement within network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input/output sanitization and the principle of least privilege in web application design. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as attackers can use the exposed information to craft more convincing phishing attacks and discover additional system information. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the "Generate HTML for all fields" option, implementing proper access controls, and conducting thorough security reviews of web application configurations. Additionally, this vulnerability underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and proper security hardening procedures to prevent similar issues in other web applications and database systems that may exhibit similar data exposure behaviors.