CVE-2010-0927 in Lotus Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in help/readme.nsf/Header in the Help component in IBM Lotus Domino 7.x before 7.0.4 and 8.x before 8.0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the BaseTarget parameter in an OpenPage action. NOTE: this may overlap CVE-2010-0920.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0927 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Lotus Domino's Help component, specifically affecting versions 7.x prior to 7.0.4 and 8.x prior to 8.0.2. This security weakness resides in the help/readme.nsf/Header functionality where the BaseTarget parameter in OpenPage actions fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for malicious code injection. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the BaseTarget parameter within the OpenPage action of the Help component. When the application processes this parameter without adequate input validation or output encoding, it inadvertently renders malicious scripts within the browser environment. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage this flaw to inject malicious JavaScript that can then execute commands or exfiltrate data from affected systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0927 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, manipulate user interfaces, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Given that Lotus Domino serves as a collaboration platform for enterprise environments, successful exploitation could compromise confidential business data, user credentials, or internal communications. The vulnerability's presence in the Help component makes it particularly concerning as this functionality is often accessible to various user roles and may be used in support scenarios, increasing the attack surface and potential impact. Organizations utilizing these older versions face significant risk as the vulnerability allows for persistent malicious activities that could go undetected for extended periods.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for IBM Lotus Domino versions 7.0.4 and 8.0.2, which address the input validation deficiencies in the Help component. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers by monitoring and filtering malicious traffic patterns associated with XSS attempts. Input validation should be strengthened at all entry points, particularly in parameters like BaseTarget that handle user-supplied data. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems, while user education regarding suspicious web content can help reduce successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's overlap with CVE-2010-0920 underscores the need for comprehensive vulnerability management strategies that address related security flaws in enterprise software platforms.