CVE-2017-1720 in Notes
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Notes 8.5 and 9.0 could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary commands by carefully crafting a command line sent via the shared memory IPC. IBM X-Force ID: 134807.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1720 affects IBM Notes versions 8.5 and 9.0, representing a critical security flaw that enables local attackers to execute arbitrary commands through manipulated command line inputs transmitted via shared memory inter-process communication mechanisms. This vulnerability resides within the IBM Notes client software, which is widely deployed for email and collaboration services in enterprise environments, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this platform for their communication infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation within the shared memory IPC implementation used by IBM Notes for process communication. When the application receives command line arguments through shared memory channels, it fails to adequately sanitize or validate the input parameters before processing them. This allows a local attacker with access to the system to craft malicious command line arguments that bypass normal security controls and execute unintended system commands with the privileges of the Notes process. The vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of proper command injection prevention mechanisms within the IPC layer, creating a direct path for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform comprehensive system compromise operations. Local attackers can leverage this flaw to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points within the compromised environment. The shared memory IPC mechanism typically operates with elevated privileges, meaning successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Organizations using IBM Notes in enterprise settings face significant risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited by malicious insiders or attackers who have gained local access to systems running the affected software versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1720 should focus on immediate patch deployment from IBM, which addresses the input validation deficiencies in the shared memory IPC implementation. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including privilege separation for Notes processes, monitoring of shared memory usage patterns, and restriction of local system access to reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected IBM Notes versions and establish monitoring procedures for suspicious IPC activity. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which addresses OS command injection, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how local privilege escalation can be achieved through improper input handling in IPC mechanisms.