CVE-2015-0134 in Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the SSLv2 implementation in IBM Domino 8.5.x before 8.5.1 FP5 IF3, 8.5.2 before FP4 IF3, 8.5.3 before FP6 IF6, 9.0 before IF7, and 9.0.1 before FP2 IF3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0134 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the SSLv2 implementation of IBM Domino server software. This issue affects multiple versions of the IBM Domino email and collaboration platform, specifically targeting the SSLv2 protocol handling mechanism that processes secure communications between clients and servers. The vulnerability exists in versions 8.5.x before 8.5.1 FP5 IF3, 8.5.2 before FP4 IF3, 8.5.3 before FP6 IF6, 9.0 before IF7, and 9.0.1 before FP2 IF3, making it a widespread concern across IBM Domino deployments. The buffer overflow condition occurs when the system processes certain malformed SSLv2 handshake messages, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the flaw and gain unauthorized control over affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the SSLv2 protocol implementation, which fails to validate the size of incoming data buffers before copying data into fixed-length memory structures. When remote attackers send specially crafted SSLv2 packets containing oversized data payloads, the system's memory management routines overflow the allocated buffers, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of memory corruption vulnerabilities that enable arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during normal SSLv2 connection establishment processes without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0134 extends far beyond simple system compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system takeover and persistent backdoor access. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Domino server process, potentially gaining access to sensitive email communications, user credentials, and confidential data stored within the Domino environment. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target affected systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication. Organizations running vulnerable versions of IBM Domino face significant risks including data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that IBM Domino servers often serve as critical infrastructure components for enterprise email and collaboration services, making successful exploitation a high-value target for both criminal actors and nation-state threat groups.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0134 require immediate implementation of vendor-provided security patches and updates to the affected IBM Domino versions. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant fixpacks and interim fixes (FP5 IF3, FP4 IF3, FP6 IF6, IF7, and FP2 IF3) that address the buffer overflow condition in the SSLv2 implementation. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling SSLv2 protocol support entirely within Domino server configurations, as this protocol version is inherently insecure and has been deprecated for years. The implementation of network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and monitoring of SSLv2 connection attempts can provide additional layers of defense. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for execution of malicious code, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the attack vector. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining systems that may be vulnerable and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include verification that SSLv2 is completely disabled and that all Domino servers have been updated to versions that contain the necessary security patches to prevent this specific buffer overflow condition from being exploited.