CVE-2018-1437 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

IBM Notes 8.5 and 9.0 contain a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system. This CVE was published on March 8, 2018.

Understanding CVE-2018-1437

IBM Notes versions 8.5 and 9.0 are affected by a security flaw that enables attackers to exploit untrusted search paths, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

What is CVE-2018-1437?

The vulnerability in IBM Notes 8.5 and 9.0 allows local attackers to engage in DLL hijacking, enabling them to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.
Identified by IBM X-Force with ID 139565.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1437

CVSS v3.0 Base Score: 7.8 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability Impact: High
No privileges required for exploitation
User interaction required

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1437

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Error related to multiple untrusted search paths in IBM Notes 8.5 and 9.0
Allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash the application

Affected Systems and Versions

IBM Notes versions affected include 8.5, 8.5.1, 8.5.1.5, 8.5.2, 8.5.2.4, 8.5.3, 8.5.3.6, 9.0, 9.0.1, 8.5.0.2, and 9.0.1.9

Exploitation Mechanism

Local attackers can exploit DLL hijacking to execute arbitrary code

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2018-1437 with the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by IBM promptly
Monitor IBM's security advisories for updates

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement least privilege access controls
Conduct regular security assessments and audits

Patching and Updates

Regularly update IBM Notes to the latest secure versions