CVE-2016-0279 in Lotus Domino
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the KeyView PDF filter in IBM Domino 8.5.x before 8.5.3 FP6 IF13 and 9.x before 9.0.1 FP6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF document, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0277, CVE-2016-0278, and CVE-2016-0301.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0279 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the KeyView PDF filter component of IBM Domino email and collaboration software. This flaw exists in versions 8.5.x before 8.5.3 FP6 IF13 and 9.x before 9.0.1 FP6, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing these systems. The vulnerability specifically affects the processing of PDF documents through the KeyView filter, which is responsible for converting PDF content into a format suitable for display within the Domino environment. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed or specially crafted PDF files that trigger memory corruption during the parsing process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper bounds checking within the KeyView PDF parsing library where it handles memory allocation for buffer operations. When a malicious PDF document is processed, the filter fails to validate the size of incoming data against allocated buffer space, allowing an attacker to write beyond the intended memory boundaries. This heap overflow condition creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Domino server process, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which represents a common class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited through carefully crafted inputs.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to email security infrastructure since IBM Domino servers typically process incoming emails with embedded PDF attachments automatically. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that, when opened or previewed by the Domino server, trigger the buffer overflow and allow remote code execution. The attack vector requires no authentication from the target system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through simple email delivery. Organizations using older versions of IBM Domino are at risk of complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's relationship to other CVEs including CVE-2016-0277, CVE-2016-0278, and CVE-2016-0301 demonstrates a pattern of weaknesses within the KeyView PDF processing functionality that required comprehensive patching across multiple security flaws.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and control communications, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patches for IBM Domino versions affected by this vulnerability, implementing strict email filtering policies that scan and quarantine PDF attachments, and disabling automatic PDF preview functionality where possible. Network segmentation and monitoring of email traffic can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all Domino servers have been properly updated to prevent this type of remote code execution attack from compromising enterprise email infrastructure.