CVE-2007-0108 in Novell
Summary
by MITRE
nwgina.dll in Novell Client 4.91 SP3 for Windows 2000/XP/2003 does not delete user profiles during a Terminal Service or Citrix session, which allows remote authenticated users to invoke alternate user profiles.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0108 resides within the nwgina.dll component of Novell Client 4.91 Service Pack 3, specifically affecting Windows 2000, XP, and 2003 operating systems. This flaw represents a critical security issue that impacts the proper handling of user authentication and session management within terminal services and Citrix environments. The vulnerability stems from improper cleanup of user profile data during remote session termination, creating persistent access vectors that can be exploited by authenticated attackers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the nwgina.dll module's failure to properly implement profile deletion mechanisms when users disconnect from Terminal Services or Citrix sessions. This malfunction occurs because the module does not adequately manage the cleanup process for user profile data, leaving behind profile information that can be accessed by subsequent users who establish connections to the same system. The flaw essentially creates a profile persistence mechanism that bypasses normal authentication controls, allowing attackers to leverage existing profile data to impersonate other users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated remote attackers to invoke alternate user profiles, effectively creating a privilege escalation and lateral movement vector. When users establish Terminal Services or Citrix sessions, their profile information remains accessible even after disconnection, providing attackers with the opportunity to access systems using credentials from previously authenticated users. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of session isolation and user authentication integrity, as the system fails to properly enforce user boundaries during remote session management.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple profile access, as it creates potential for credential theft, unauthorized system access, and persistent backdoor capabilities within enterprise environments. Attackers can exploit this flaw to maintain access to systems without requiring additional authentication credentials, particularly in environments where multiple users regularly connect through terminal services or Citrix infrastructure. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through session management flaws.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest Novell Client versions, implementing strict profile cleanup policies, and monitoring for unauthorized profile access patterns. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit the potential impact of this vulnerability, while regular security audits should verify proper profile management practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session termination procedures in remote access environments and underscores the need for comprehensive authentication system testing in enterprise infrastructure deployments.