CVE-2005-2696 in Lotus Notes
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Lotus Notes does not properly restrict access to password hashes in the Notes Address Book (NAB), which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via the (1) password digest field in the Administration tab of a Lotus Notes client, (2) "PasswordDigest" and "HTTPPassword" fields in the document properties in the NAB, or (3) a direct query to the Domino LDAP server, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-2428.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2696 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within IBM Lotus Notes and Domino email systems that fundamentally undermines the security of user authentication mechanisms. This weakness exists in the Notes Address Book (NAB) component of IBM Lotus Notes, which serves as the centralized directory service for managing user identities and access controls within the Notes environment. The vulnerability specifically affects how the system handles password hash storage and access control, creating pathways for unauthorized information retrieval that directly compromises user account security.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate access controls and privilege restrictions within the Notes Address Book system. Attackers can exploit three distinct methods to access password hash information through the Administration tab of the Lotus Notes client where the password digest field is exposed, through direct document property access in the NAB where "PasswordDigest" and "HTTPPassword" fields are accessible, or by performing direct queries against the Domino LDAP server. This multi-vector approach demonstrates the systemic nature of the access control failure, where the same sensitive information can be obtained through different interfaces within the same system architecture. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the inherent trust relationships within the Notes/Domino infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses normal authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the means to compromise user accounts and potentially escalate privileges within the Notes/Domino environment. When password hashes are accessible to unauthorized users, attackers can perform offline password cracking attacks, conduct credential stuffing operations against other systems, or use the acquired hashes for lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the weakness of Insecure Direct Object Reference and inadequate access control mechanisms. The exposure of password digest information creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Lotus Notes for email and collaboration services, as it undermines the confidentiality and integrity of user authentication data that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to the Notes Address Book through proper access control lists, disabling unnecessary LDAP query interfaces, and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of Domino servers to untrusted networks. System administrators should also consider disabling the exposure of password digest fields in the Administration tab and implementing additional authentication controls for LDAP queries. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers Valid Accounts - Cloud Accounts and represents a classic privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by adversaries to gain persistent access to email systems. Organizations should also review their compliance with NIST SP 800-53 controls related to access control and system information protection to ensure proper implementation of security measures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other enterprise applications that may be vulnerable to similar information disclosure attacks.