CVE-2015-0135 in Domino
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Domino 8.5 before 8.5.3 FP6 IF4 and 9.0 before 9.0.1 FP3 IF2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (integer truncation and application crash) via a crafted GIF image, aka SPR KLYH9T7NT9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
IBM Domino 8.5 before 8.5.3 FP6 IF4 and 9.0 before 9.0.1 FP3 IF2 contains a critical vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service through maliciously crafted GIF image files. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during GIF image processing, specifically involving integer truncation that occurs when the application processes image dimensions and data structures. The flaw exists in the image parsing functionality that processes GIF files within the Domino email and web server components, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through email attachments or web-based file uploads. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound condition, which occurs when a value is truncated during conversion or arithmetic operations, leading to unexpected behavior in the application's memory management and control flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a specially formatted GIF image that triggers integer truncation during the parsing process, causing the application to allocate insufficient memory or process data structures incorrectly. When the vulnerable Domino server encounters such a crafted image, it can lead to memory corruption that may result in arbitrary code execution or application crash, depending on the specific conditions and memory layout at the time of exploitation. The vulnerability affects both the email server functionality and web server components of IBM Domino, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on Domino for email services or web applications. Attackers can leverage this flaw by sending malicious email attachments or uploading compromised GIF files through web interfaces, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the server or causing service disruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0135 extends beyond immediate exploitation capabilities to encompass broader security implications for enterprise email and collaboration systems. Organizations running affected versions of IBM Domino face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and service availability issues, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication. The potential for denial of service attacks makes this particularly concerning for business-critical systems where continuous availability is essential. Security teams must consider the vulnerability's alignment with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of remote services and T1499 for disruption of services, as the flaw can be leveraged to achieve both persistent access and system availability compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability's impact on web server functionality means that organizations may also face risks related to web application attacks and cross-site scripting scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0135 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security fixes and patches, specifically IBM Domino 8.5.3 FP6 IF4 and 9.0.1 FP3 IF2 releases that address the integer truncation issue. Organizations should prioritize patching their Domino servers and implement additional defensive measures such as content filtering and image validation at network boundaries to prevent malicious GIF files from reaching the server. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual application behavior or service disruptions that may indicate successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional input validation mechanisms to provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper input validation in enterprise applications, particularly those handling untrusted file formats and user-provided content.