CVE-2001-1316 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflows in Teamware Office Enterprise Directory allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code, as demonstrated by the PROTOS LDAPv3 test suite.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1316 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Teamware Office Enterprise Directory software that exposes remote attackers to significant security risks. This vulnerability specifically affects the directory service component that handles Lightweight Directory Access Protocol version 3 requests, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where directory services form the backbone of authentication and access control mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the software processes malformed LDAPv3 requests, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to system instability and potential code execution.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from insufficient input validation within the Teamware Office Enterprise Directory implementation. When processing LDAPv3 protocol requests, the software fails to properly validate the length and structure of incoming data buffers, allowing attackers to craft specially designed requests that exceed the allocated memory boundaries. This particular vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw operates at the protocol processing layer, making it particularly insidious as it can be triggered through standard network communication channels without requiring privileged access or specialized knowledge of the internal system architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1316 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could compromise entire enterprise networks. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can cause the directory service to crash and terminate unexpectedly, leading to denial of service for legitimate users who depend on directory services for authentication and authorization. However, the more severe implications arise from the potential for arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to gain control of the affected system and potentially escalate privileges to administrative levels. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Teamware Office Enterprise Directory serves as a central authentication point, as compromise of this service can cascade into broader system breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise resources.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor patches and updates, implementing network segmentation to isolate directory services, and monitoring for suspicious LDAP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, highlighting the need for proper network access controls and service hardening measures. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed LDAPv3 requests and establishing robust patch management procedures can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing application firewalls and network-based controls to limit access to directory services only from trusted sources while maintaining detailed logging of all directory service interactions for forensic analysis purposes.