CVE-2015-5040 in Lotus Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in IBM Domino 8.5.1 through 8.5.3 before 8.5.3 FP6 IF10 and 9.x before 9.0.1 FP4 IF3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (SMTP daemon crash) via a crafted GIF image, aka SPRs KLYH9ZDKRE and KLYH9ZTLEZ, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4994.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5040 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM Domino email server software affecting versions 8.5.1 through 8.5.3 prior to 8.5.3 FP6 IF10 and 9.x versions before 9.0.1 FP4 IF3. This security defect specifically targets the SMTP daemon component responsible for handling incoming email messages through the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation when processing GIF image attachments, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard email communication channels without requiring special privileges or authentication. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems or cause denial of service conditions through daemon crashes, fundamentally compromising the email server's availability and integrity. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious data, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages the SMTP protocol which is a fundamental component of email infrastructure, making the exploitation accessible to threat actors with minimal technical expertise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of GIF image data structures within the IBM Domino SMTP processing pipeline. When the server receives an email containing a specially crafted GIF image, the parsing logic fails to properly validate the image dimensions and data boundaries, leading to memory corruption when the buffer allocated for image processing exceeds its intended limits. This overflow condition can be manipulated to overwrite critical program execution pointers and control registers, allowing attackers to redirect program flow and execute malicious code with the privileges of the SMTP daemon process. The vulnerability manifests as a predictable crash pattern that can be exploited to cause service disruption or achieve remote code execution. The specific SPR identifiers KLYH9ZDKRE and KLYH9ZTLEZ reference distinct but related issues within the IBM Domino codebase that were addressed through targeted patches. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution and T1499 - Endpoint Denial of Service, as it enables both arbitrary code execution and service disruption. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where email servers are accessible from untrusted networks or where email traffic is not properly filtered.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5040 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Organizations running affected IBM Domino versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with persistent access to email infrastructure and potentially access to sensitive information stored within the email server. The vulnerability affects not only the availability of email services but also introduces potential data integrity concerns, as attackers could manipulate email content or intercept communications. The SMTP daemon crash scenario represents a direct denial of service threat that can impact business operations, particularly in organizations that rely heavily on email communication for critical business processes. Network administrators must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability on email security posture, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in IBM Domino versions indicates a systemic issue with input validation mechanisms that could potentially affect other file format processing components within the same software ecosystem. Organizations with multiple Domino servers or those using Domino as part of larger email infrastructure face cascading risks where exploitation of a single vulnerable server could impact broader network communications. The vulnerability's exploitation can occur through standard email traffic, making it difficult to detect and prevent without proper network monitoring and email filtering mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5040 require immediate implementation of IBM's security patches and updates, specifically targeting the 8.5.3 FP6 IF10 and 9.0.1 FP4 IF3 releases that contain the necessary fixes. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected IBM Domino servers and implement network segmentation to limit exposure of email infrastructure to untrusted networks. Network administrators should deploy email filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious GIF attachments or implement content inspection mechanisms that can detect malformed image data before it reaches the SMTP daemon. The implementation of proper input validation controls and boundary checking should be enforced across all email processing components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other parts of the email infrastructure. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous SMTP daemon behavior and unusual email traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing email encryption protocols, deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying exploitation attempts, and establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle email server compromise scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing email security gateways that can perform deep content inspection of attachments and prevent potentially malicious content from entering the email infrastructure. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in email processing components, ensuring that the security posture remains resilient against evolving threats. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect email infrastructure from exploitation attempts.