CVE-2015-2015 in Domino Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in pubnames.ntf (aka the Directory template) in the web server in IBM Domino before 9.0.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka SPR KLYH8WBPRN.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2018
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the IBM Domino web server's Directory template component, specifically in the pubnames.ntf file that handles directory publishing functionality. The flaw represents a classic client-side injection vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability affects IBM Domino versions prior to 9.0.0, making it a significant concern for organizations running older server configurations. The attack vector involves crafting malicious URLs that, when processed by the vulnerable web server, execute unintended code in the victim's browser environment.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the pubnames.ntf template. When the web server processes directory-related requests containing malicious payloads, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web responses. This allows attackers to inject HTML tags, JavaScript code, or other malicious content that gets executed when legitimate users browse to affected pages. The vulnerability specifically impacts the directory publishing functionality, which is commonly used for organizational address books and contact information systems. The attack requires no authentication and can be exploited through simple web requests, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing Domino servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute arbitrary commands within the browser context. An attacker could potentially access user sessions, steal authentication tokens, or manipulate directory data to gain unauthorized access to organizational information. The vulnerability's presence in the Directory template means that any organization relying on Domino's address book functionality is at risk, particularly those with public directory services or web-accessible address books. This makes the vulnerability especially concerning for large enterprises that depend on Domino for internal communications and directory services.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to IBM Domino 9.0.0 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests and employ content security policies to limit script execution capabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which classifies improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental weakness in web application security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques, as attackers can use the XSS to deliver malicious payloads and execute code within user browsers. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom Domino applications and ensure proper security hygiene across all web-facing Domino components.