CVE-2005-3567 in Tivoli Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
slapd daemon in IBM Tivoli Directory Server (ITDS) 5.2.0 and 6.0.0 binds using SASL EXTERNAL, which allows attackers to bypass authentication and modify and delete directory data via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3567 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within IBM Tivoli Directory Server versions 5.2.0 and 6.0.0. This issue specifically affects the slapd daemon implementation that handles directory services, where the authentication mechanism fails to properly validate user credentials when SASL EXTERNAL authentication is employed. The SASL EXTERNAL mechanism typically relies on external authentication factors such as SSL/TLS client certificates or other system-level authentication methods, but in this case, the implementation allows unauthorized access without proper credential verification. This flaw fundamentally undermines the security model of the directory service by enabling attackers to gain elevated privileges through unspecified attack vectors that exploit the improper handling of the external binding mechanism.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of the Simple Authentication and Security Layer within the directory server's authentication framework. When the slapd daemon processes requests using SASL EXTERNAL binding, it should validate that the authentication credentials provided are legitimate and authorized before granting access to directory data. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass this validation process entirely, effectively granting them the ability to perform unauthorized operations on the directory service. This authentication bypass occurs because the system accepts the external binding without sufficient verification of the authenticating entity's credentials, creating a pathway for malicious actors to access and manipulate sensitive directory information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to modify and delete directory data without proper authorization. Directory servers contain critical organizational information including user accounts, access controls, and sensitive system configurations that form the backbone of enterprise authentication infrastructure. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could compromise the integrity and availability of directory services, potentially leading to widespread access control failures throughout the organization. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that multiple entry points may exist for exploitation, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be leveraged through various means including network-based attacks or compromised client systems that establish external bindings to the directory service.
Organizations utilizing IBM Tivoli Directory Server versions 5.2.0 and 6.0.0 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves disabling or properly configuring SASL EXTERNAL authentication when it is not required for legitimate operations, or implementing additional authentication layers that validate credentials before granting access. Security administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of directory services to unauthorized networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a significant concern from an ATT&CK framework perspective under the privilege escalation and credential access domains. Organizations should also review their directory service configurations to ensure that only necessary authentication mechanisms are enabled and that proper access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized modifications to directory data structures.