CVE-2016-6087 in Domino
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Domino 8.5 and 9.0 could allow an attacker to steal credentials using multiple sessions and large amounts of data using Domino TLS Key Exchange validation. IBM X-Force ID: 117918.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6087 affects IBM Domino versions 8.5 and 9.0, specifically targeting the TLS key exchange validation mechanism within the Domino server implementation. This weakness enables attackers to exploit the authentication process through manipulation of multiple concurrent sessions and excessive data transfer operations. The flaw resides in how Domino handles cryptographic key exchanges during secure communication establishment, creating opportunities for credential theft and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical weakness in the server's cryptographic protocol handling that can be leveraged by malicious actors to compromise system integrity and user authentication mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of TLS key exchange parameters during secure connections established between Domino servers and client applications. Attackers can initiate multiple sessions simultaneously while transferring large volumes of data to trigger specific conditions within the Domino TLS implementation that allow credential interception. This process typically involves exploiting weaknesses in the key exchange validation routines that fail to properly verify cryptographic parameters during the secure channel establishment phase. The vulnerability specifically targets the Diffie-Hellman key exchange mechanism and related cryptographic validation processes within the Domino server's security framework, which are designed to establish secure communication channels but contain implementation flaws that can be exploited.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6087 extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential full system compromise and data breach scenarios. Organizations running affected Domino versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to email systems, database resources, and sensitive business information stored within the Domino environment. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where Domino servers often serve as central communication hubs for critical business operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain persistent access to corporate email systems, potentially leading to insider threat scenarios, data exfiltration, and disruption of business continuity. The multi-session exploitation capability means that attackers can maintain prolonged access while avoiding detection mechanisms that might otherwise flag single anomalous connection attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of IBM security patches and updates specifically designed to address the TLS key exchange validation flaws. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect unusual session patterns and large data transfers that might indicate exploitation attempts. The security configuration should include enhanced TLS protocol enforcement with stricter key exchange parameter validation and regular cryptographic algorithm updates. System administrators must also establish comprehensive audit trails for authentication events and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with multi-session exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of credential theft even if the primary vulnerability is exploited. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic protocols, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1075 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering and system exploitation pathways.