CVE-2011-0912 in Lotus Notes
Summary
by MITRE
Argument injection vulnerability in IBM Lotus Notes 8.0.x before 8.0.2 FP6 and 8.5.x before 8.5.1 FP5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a cai:// URL containing a --launcher.library option that specifies a UNC share pathname for a DLL file, aka SPR PRAD82YJW2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2017
This vulnerability represents a critical argument injection flaw in IBM Lotus Notes client software that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted cai:// URLs. The vulnerability specifically affects IBM Lotus Notes versions 8.0.x prior to 8.0.2 FP6 and 8.5.x prior to 8.5.1 FP5, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on these older versions of the email and collaboration platform. The flaw resides in how the application processes command-line arguments when handling specific URL schemes, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious parameters that can be executed with the privileges of the targeted user.
The technical mechanism of exploitation involves the use of a cai:// URL scheme that contains a --launcher.library option pointing to a UNC share pathname for a DLL file. When IBM Lotus Notes processes this URL, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the command-line arguments, allowing an attacker to specify arbitrary DLL files that will be loaded and executed by the application. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-74, which describes "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component," specifically manifesting as command injection in the context of argument parsing. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the Windows UNC (Universal Naming Convention) path mechanism, which allows the application to access network resources through standard file paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when an attacker successfully convinces a user to click on a malicious URL. The attack requires only a remote delivery mechanism such as email or web content, making it particularly effective in social engineering campaigns. Once executed, the malicious DLL can perform various malicious activities including credential theft, system reconnaissance, privilege escalation, or establishing persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how argument injection can serve as a foundational attack vector for broader compromise scenarios.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their IBM Lotus Notes installations to the recommended versions that contain the security fixes. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious UNC path access patterns and consider implementing URL filtering solutions that can block or quarantine cai:// URLs. Additional mitigations include user education about the dangers of clicking unknown URLs, implementation of application whitelisting policies, and ensuring that the Lotus Notes application runs with minimal required privileges to limit potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and argument sanitization in client-side applications, particularly those that process external URL schemes and execute external code based on user-provided input parameters.