CVE-2020-14270 in Domino Server
Summary
by MITRE • 12/23/2020
HCL Domino v9, v10, v11 is susceptible to an Information Disclosure vulnerability in XPages due to improper error handling of user input. An unauthenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability to obtain information about the XPages software running on the Domino server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting HCL Domino versions 9, 10, and 11 that specifically impacts the XPages component architecture. The vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling mechanisms when processing user-supplied input data within the XPages framework, creating an attack surface where improperly sanitized inputs can trigger detailed system responses. According to CWE-200, this classification indicates a weakness where information is exposed to unauthorized actors through improper error handling practices. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit malformed or malicious input parameters that cause the server to generate verbose error messages containing sensitive technical details about the underlying XPages implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information gathering as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can inform subsequent attack phases. When user input triggers server-side errors, the system inadvertently reveals configuration details, software versions, internal paths, and potentially database structures that would normally remain hidden from external observers. This type of exposure aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which describes the collection of information about the target environment through various reconnaissance methods. The disclosure can include server stack traces, component names, version numbers, and architectural details that significantly reduce the attack surface for more sophisticated exploits.
From a security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices within the Domino XPages framework where the system fails to properly sanitize or filter user-supplied data before processing. The improper error handling likely occurs at multiple levels including parameter parsing, request routing, and component instantiation within the XPages runtime environment. Attackers can leverage this by submitting specially crafted inputs that cause the server to generate detailed error responses containing internal system information. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and error handling as defined by CWE-1235, where inadequate sanitization allows for exposure of sensitive data.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize implementing robust input validation mechanisms at all entry points within the XPages framework. Organizations must ensure that user inputs undergo strict sanitization and filtering before being processed by server-side components. Configuration changes should include enabling generic error pages that prevent detailed technical information from being exposed to end users or attackers. Additionally, implementing proper logging mechanisms can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities. Security hardening practices should also include regular updates and patches from HCL to address the underlying error handling flaws in the XPages component.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of secure coding practices within enterprise applications and demonstrate how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks. This type of information disclosure vulnerability often serves as a precursor to more serious attacks, as the leaked information enables attackers to craft more targeted exploitation strategies against the identified system components. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Domino environments to identify similar error handling vulnerabilities across different application components and ensure that proper security controls are in place to prevent unauthorized information disclosure. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include proper error handling, input validation, and access control mechanisms to protect enterprise applications from reconnaissance-based attacks.