CVE-2012-0191 in Lotus Expeditor
Summary
by MITRE
The web container in IBM Lotus Expeditor 6.1.x and 6.2.x before 6.2 FP5+Security Pack does not properly perform access control for requests, which allows remote attackers to spoof a localhost request origin via crafted headers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0191 affects IBM Lotus Expeditor versions 6.1.x and 6.2.x prior to 6.2 FP5+Security Pack, representing a critical access control flaw within the web container component. This issue stems from insufficient validation of request origins, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model. The vulnerability specifically targets the web container's inability to properly authenticate and validate the source of incoming requests, allowing unauthorized access to system resources that should be restricted to localhost operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of HTTP headers to spoof the originating address of requests. Attackers can craft malicious headers that appear to originate from localhost, bypassing the container's intended access control mechanisms. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship that systems establish with localhost connections, which are typically granted elevated privileges. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-285, where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions based on the origin of requests.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using IBM Lotus Expeditor, as it enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially execute malicious code. The impact extends beyond simple data access, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate system configurations, access sensitive data, or escalate privileges within the application environment. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors with basic knowledge of web application security principles. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and the abuse of system privileges.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and origin verification in web applications. Organizations relying on IBM Lotus Expeditor should immediately implement the available security patches and updates provided by IBM to address this weakness. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of HTTP headers can serve as temporary mitigations while permanent fixes are deployed. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of comprehensive security testing, particularly around access control mechanisms, and underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious header manipulation attempts.