iDefense Security Advisory 05.24.11 - Remote exploitation of a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in IBM Corp.'s Lotus Notes could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. The vulnerability occurs during the processing of hyperlink information contained within a Rich Text Format (RTF) document. The hyperlink may be crafted in a manner which can cause a strcpy function call to overflow the bounds of a stack buffer. This condition may lead to arbitrary code execution. Lotus Notes versions 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 8.0, 8.5 are vulnerable.
91558b82ec933f7adde1fcb12364cda4ebd05a89100271d7b360fcdea95e4c7d
iDefense Security Advisory 05.24.11
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
May 24, 2011
I. BACKGROUND
IBM Corp.'s Lotus Notes software is an integrated desktop client option
for accessing e-mail, calendars and applications on an IBM Corp. Lotus
Domino server. More information can be found by visiting the URL below.
<BR> <BR> http://www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/
II. DESCRIPTION
Remote exploitation of a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in IBM
Corp.'s Lotus Notes could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in
the context of the current user. <BR> <BR> The vulnerability occurs
during the processing of hyperlink information contained within a Rich
Text Format (RTF) document. The hyperlink may be crafted in a manner
which can cause a strcpy function call to overflow the bounds of a stack
buffer. This condition may lead to arbitrary code execution.
III. ANALYSIS
Exploitation of this vulnerability results in the execution of arbitrary
code in the context of the user opening an attachment delivered via
email. In order to be successful, an attacker must social engineer the
victim into processing a specially crafted email attachment in a certain
way. Specifically, the victim must open the attachment and click the
view button on the attachment dialog box.
IV. DETECTION
Lotus Notes versions 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 8.0, 8.5 are vulnerable.
V. WORKAROUND
A workaround is available to disable RTF documents within the Lotus
Notes file viewer: <BR> <BR> Open the keyview.ini file in the Lotus
Notes program data directory (C:\Program Files\IBM\Lotus\Notes\Data) and
comment out all references to rtfsr.dll. To comment out a reference,
proceed the line with a semi-colon ';'.
VI. VENDOR RESPONSE
IBM has released patches and workarounds to address this vulnerability.
For more information, consult their advisory at the following URL.
https://www-304.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21500034
VII. CVE INFORMATION
A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not
been assigned yet.
VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
07/27/2010 Initial Vendor Notification
07/27/2010 Initial Vendor Reply
05/24/2011 Coordinated Public Disclosure
IX. CREDIT
This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by binaryhouse.net.
Get paid for vulnerability research
http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php
Free tools, research and upcoming events
http://labs.idefense.com/
X. LEGAL NOTICES
Copyright © 2011 Verisign
Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert
electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express
written consent of iDefense. If you wish to reprint the whole or any
part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please
e-mail customerservice@idefense.com for permission.
Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
this information.