CVE-2013-0486 in Lotus Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in the HTTP server in IBM Domino 8.5.x allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption and daemon crash) via GET requests, aka SPR KLYH92NKZY.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0486 represents a critical memory leak flaw within IBM Domino 8.5.x HTTP server implementations that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through carefully crafted GET requests. This issue manifests as excessive memory consumption leading to daemon crashes and system instability, fundamentally undermining the availability and reliability of the affected mail and collaboration server infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically targets the HTTP server component of IBM Domino, which serves as the primary interface for web-based access to email services, database content, and collaboration features within enterprise environments.
The technical root cause of this memory leak stems from improper memory management within the HTTP server's response handling mechanisms when processing GET requests. When the server receives specific GET requests, it fails to properly release allocated memory resources after processing the request, resulting in gradual memory exhaustion over time. This memory leak pattern creates a cumulative effect where each successful GET request consumes additional memory without proper cleanup, eventually leading to system resource depletion. The flaw operates at the application layer and leverages standard HTTP protocols, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through ordinary web browser interactions or automated scanning tools without requiring specialized knowledge or privileged access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass significant business continuity risks for organizations relying on IBM Domino for critical email and collaboration services. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to gradually consume system memory resources, potentially causing the HTTP server daemon to crash and restart repeatedly, leading to extended periods of service unavailability. The memory consumption pattern can be sustained over time, allowing attackers to maintain persistent denial of service conditions that may be difficult to detect and mitigate. Organizations using this vulnerable version of IBM Domino face increased risk of operational downtime, decreased user productivity, and potential data access interruptions that can severely impact business operations and customer service delivery.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by applying the official IBM security patches and updates specifically designed to address this memory leak vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to IBM Domino versions that contain the patched HTTP server implementation, typically IBM Domino 8.5.3 or later releases that include the necessary memory management improvements. Additionally, network-level protections such as rate limiting, connection throttling, and web application firewalls can provide temporary defensive measures to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory consumption patterns and automated daemon restarts that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses memory leaks in software implementations, and represents a classic example of how improper resource management can lead to denial of service conditions. The attack vector falls under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, specifically targeting availability through resource consumption, making it a significant concern for enterprise security operations and incident response procedures.