CVE-2015-0117 in Domino
Summary
by MITRE
The LDAP Server in IBM Domino 8.5.x before 8.5.3 FP6 IF6 and 9.x before 9.0.1 FP3 IF1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, aka SPR KLYH9SLRGM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0117 represents a critical security flaw within IBM Domino's Lightweight Directory Access Protocol server implementation. This issue affects versions 8.5.x prior to 8.5.3 FP6 IF6 and 9.x prior to 9.0.1 FP3 IF1, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise systems. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of LDAP requests that can lead to memory corruption conditions, providing attackers with opportunities to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service scenarios. The technical nature of this flaw suggests a fundamental issue in how the LDAP server processes incoming requests, potentially involving buffer overflows or memory management errors that could be exploited through carefully crafted malicious input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system availability concerns, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain unauthorized execution privileges on affected systems. When exploited successfully, the memory corruption issues can result in system crashes, application instability, or more sinisterly, allow attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Domino server process. This represents a severe threat to enterprise environments where IBM Domino servers typically operate with elevated privileges and handle sensitive organizational data. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that exploitation can occur without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the Domino server may be exposed to external traffic.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-125, representing out-of-bounds read scenarios that can lead to memory corruption. The attack patterns associated with this flaw likely map to ATT&CK techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, particularly leveraging the initial access through network-based protocols. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability's exploitation potential makes it a high-priority target for threat actors. The remediation process requires careful consideration of the specific Domino version and service pack levels, as different versions may require specific patch combinations to achieve complete protection against this memory corruption vulnerability.
The broader implications for enterprise security posture include the need for enhanced monitoring of LDAP traffic patterns and implementation of network segmentation to limit exposure of Domino servers to untrusted networks. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous LDAP request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of critical infrastructure components. The attack surface expansion through this vulnerability means that affected systems may require complete system restoration or reinstallation if exploitation has occurred, emphasizing the critical nature of proactive security maintenance and incident response planning.