CVE-2008-2240 in Lotus Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Web Server service in IBM Lotus Domino before 7.0.3 FP1, and 8.x before 8.0.1, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a long Accept-Language HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2240 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within IBM Lotus Domino's Web Server service component. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 7.0.3 Fix Pack 1 and 8.0.1, exposing systems to potential remote exploitation by malicious actors. The flaw manifests when the web server processes HTTP requests containing excessively long Accept-Language header values, creating a condition where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption. The buffer overflow occurs in the stack memory region, where the server fails to properly bounds-check the length of the Accept-Language header before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that has been consistently exploited in various attack scenarios throughout cybersecurity history. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exists within a core web server component that handles HTTP requests from external sources, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a severe threat to affected systems. When exploited, the buffer overflow can cause the Domino web server daemon to crash, resulting in immediate service disruption that affects legitimate users and potentially impacting business operations. However, the more dangerous aspect lies in the possibility of arbitrary code execution, which would allow attackers to gain control over the affected server. The attack vector is straightforward and requires only the ability to send HTTP requests to the vulnerable web server, making it particularly attractive to automated exploitation tools and malicious actors. The vulnerability's presence in the Accept-Language header processing demonstrates how seemingly innocuous HTTP headers can become attack vectors when proper input validation is absent. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," and T1499, "Endpoint Denial of Service," while also representing a classic example of T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," where attackers target exposed web services. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a specially formatted HTTP request with an oversized Accept-Language header that exceeds the buffer capacity, causing the stack memory to overflow and potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2240 focus primarily on applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates to bring affected systems to supported versions. IBM released fix packs specifically addressing this vulnerability, with the 7.0.3 Fix Pack 1 and 8.0.1 releases containing the necessary code modifications to prevent the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should prioritize patch management and ensure all affected Domino servers receive these updates immediately. Additionally, network-level protections such as intrusion prevention systems can be configured to detect and block HTTP requests containing suspiciously long Accept-Language headers, providing an additional layer of defense. The implementation of input validation controls within web applications and server configurations can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other components. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual patterns in web server logs that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on malformed HTTP headers. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and following security best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-53, which emphasizes the need for timely vulnerability remediation and robust input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable web server components to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities.