CVE-2008-0862 in Lotus Notes
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Lotus Notes 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, and 8.0 signs an unsigned applet when a user forwards an email message to another user, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to bypass Execution Control List (ECL) protection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0862 represents a critical security flaw in IBM Lotus Notes email client versions 6.0 through 8.0 that fundamentally undermines the application's security model. This issue occurs during the email forwarding process when the system automatically signs unsigned applets without proper user verification, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the Execution Control List protection mechanisms that are designed to prevent unauthorized code execution within the email client environment.
The technical flaw stems from the improper handling of applet signing during email forwarding operations, where the Lotus Notes client fails to validate the authenticity and integrity of unsigned applets before executing them. This behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the application's code execution controls. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, specifically in the context of execution control mechanisms. When a user forwards an email containing an unsigned applet, the system automatically applies a signature that effectively bypasses the ECL protection, allowing potentially malicious code to execute with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables user-assisted remote code execution attacks, where attackers can craft malicious email messages containing unsigned applets that will be automatically signed and executed when forwarded by unsuspecting users. This creates a dangerous attack vector that leverages social engineering tactics combined with technical exploitation, as the victim's own actions inadvertently facilitate the attack. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of IBM Lotus Notes, indicating a widespread exposure across the product lifecycle, and demonstrates the persistent nature of security flaws in enterprise email clients that handle complex scripting environments.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers script execution through email clients, and represents a classic example of privilege escalation through application manipulation. The attack requires minimal technical skill from the adversary, as it relies on user interaction to trigger the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently forward emails. Organizations using affected versions of IBM Lotus Notes face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information, as the automatic signing process removes the manual verification steps that should occur during applet execution.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected IBM Lotus Notes versions, implementation of additional email filtering rules to block suspicious applet content, and enhanced user education regarding email forwarding practices. Security administrators should also consider implementing network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious content and establish more stringent ECL policies that require explicit user approval for applet execution. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any custom applications or scripts that might be vulnerable to similar exploitation patterns and ensure that proper code signing practices are enforced throughout the email ecosystem.