CVE-2011-3576 in Lotus Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Lotus Domino 8.5.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PanelIcon parameter in an fmpgPanelHeader ReadForm action to WebAdmin.nsf.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3576 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Lotus Domino 8.5.2 that exposes the web administration interface to remote exploitation. This issue specifically targets the WebAdmin.nsf database which serves as the primary administrative interface for managing Lotus Domino servers through web-based means. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the fmpgPanelHeader ReadForm action, which processes user-supplied parameters without proper security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the PanelIcon parameter within the WebAdmin.nsf application. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious request containing specially formatted script code within this parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize the input before rendering it in the web response. This allows the injected malicious code to execute within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially enabling unauthorized access to administrative functions or data theft. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the vulnerable parameter.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to organizations utilizing IBM Lotus Domino 8.5.2 servers. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to administrative interfaces, potentially escalating privileges and compromising the entire Domino server infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the WebAdmin.nsf database which typically contains sensitive administrative information and controls, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise server integrity. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access to the system.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The flaw represents a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web responses without adequate sanitization. Organizations with vulnerable Lotus Domino installations face potential data breaches, unauthorized administrative access, and possible complete server compromise. The impact extends beyond simple script injection as attackers could potentially execute persistent XSS payloads that remain active until the browser session ends or the page is reloaded.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected IBM Lotus Domino 8.5.2 version through official IBM security updates. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to filter malicious requests targeting the vulnerable WebAdmin.nsf parameters and consider input validation measures to prevent script injection attempts. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict access to the WebAdmin.nsf interface, limiting its exposure to trusted networks only. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and ensure proper input sanitization practices are implemented across the entire infrastructure.