CVE-2002-1378 in OpenLDAP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in OpenLDAP2 (OpenLDAP 2) 2.2.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) long -t or -r parameters to slurpd, (2) a malicious ldapfilter.conf file that is not properly handled by getfilter functions, (3) a malicious ldaptemplates.conf that causes an overflow in libldap, (4) a certain access control list that causes an overflow in slapd, or (5) a long generated filename for logging rejected replication requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1378 represents a critical security flaw affecting OpenLDAP 2.2.0 and earlier versions, exposing multiple buffer overflow conditions that collectively create significant remote code execution risks. These vulnerabilities stem from inadequate input validation and memory management within the OpenLDAP suite of applications, particularly impacting the slurpd daemon, slapd server, and various configuration file processing functions. The flaw manifests through five distinct attack vectors that exploit different components of the LDAP infrastructure, making it a comprehensive security weakness that could be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access and execute malicious code with potentially elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of these buffer overflows occurs in several key locations within the OpenLDAP codebase, each presenting unique exploitation opportunities. The first vector involves long -t or -r parameters passed to slurpd, which processes replication requests and fails to properly validate parameter lengths before copying them into fixed-size buffers. The second and third vectors target configuration file parsing functions where malicious ldapfilter.conf and ldaptemplates.conf files can trigger stack overflows in libldap through improper handling of user-supplied input. The fourth vulnerability occurs in slapd's access control list processing, where malformed ACL specifications cause buffer overflows during string operations. Finally, the fifth vector exploits logging functionality where excessively long generated filenames for rejected replication requests overflow buffer boundaries. These vulnerabilities collectively map to CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow conditions that align with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1378 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive directory services. Organizations relying on OpenLDAP for authentication and directory services face significant risk, as these vulnerabilities can be exploited remotely without authentication requirements, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service processes. The exploitation of these buffer overflows could enable attackers to escalate privileges, access confidential directory information, modify authentication credentials, or establish persistent access to network resources. Given that OpenLDAP serves as a foundational component for many enterprise authentication systems, the potential for widespread impact across multiple organizational domains is substantial.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1378 require immediate attention and comprehensive implementation across affected systems. Organizations must prioritize upgrading to OpenLDAP 2.2.1 or later versions where these buffer overflow vulnerabilities have been addressed through proper input validation and memory management improvements. System administrators should implement strict input validation for all LDAP configuration files and parameter inputs, particularly focusing on length restrictions for command-line parameters and configuration file contents. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of LDAP services to trusted networks only, while implementing monitoring for anomalous parameter usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits should verify proper configuration of LDAP services and ensure that all systems have been updated to patched versions. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining current security patches for directory services infrastructure, as these components often serve as primary authentication points for enterprise networks and require robust protection against memory corruption attacks that could compromise entire organizational security postures.