CVE-2012-2176 in Lotus Quickr
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in a certain ActiveX control in qp2.cab in IBM Lotus Quickr 8.2 before 8.2.0.27-002a for Domino allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long argument to the (1) Attachment_Times or (2) Import_Times method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2176 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the IBM Lotus Quickr 8.2 ActiveX control component. This vulnerability specifically affects the qp2.cab file distributed with IBM Lotus Quickr versions prior to 8.2.0.27-002a for Domino environments. The flaw manifests in two distinct methods within the ActiveX control: Attachment_Times and Import_Times, both of which accept user-provided arguments that are not properly validated for length constraints. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that occur when data written to a stack buffer exceeds the buffer's allocated size, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in ActiveX controls as they execute with the privileges of the user running the application, making them prime targets for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent weakness in input validation within the ActiveX control's method implementations. When remote attackers provide excessively long argument strings to either the Attachment_Times or Import_Times methods, the control fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This allows attackers to overwrite the stack memory layout, potentially corrupting the instruction pointer or other critical control structures. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no local access or authentication, which significantly increases the exploitability of this vulnerability. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate memory management within the ActiveX control's code, creating a path for arbitrary code execution that could be leveraged to gain complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2176 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for broader network infiltration. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or deployment of additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects IBM Lotus Quickr installations that are integrated with Domino servers, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these applications are commonly deployed. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk, as the attack surface includes any user who can interact with the affected ActiveX control through web browsers or other applications that load the component. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1059.003 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell) suggests that exploitation could involve command execution capabilities, while T1133 (External Remote Services) indicates potential for lateral movement through compromised systems.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through patching IBM Lotus Quickr to version 8.2.0.27-002a or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of the vulnerable ActiveX control, particularly in environments where users may not have administrative privileges. Additionally, browser security configurations should be adjusted to disable ActiveX controls or restrict their execution to trusted sites only. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, as it demonstrates how legacy ActiveX components can harbor critical security flaws that remain undetected for extended periods. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, and conduct security awareness training to help users recognize potential social engineering attacks that might attempt to leverage this vulnerability. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the critical role of vulnerability management programs in protecting enterprise environments from known exploits.