CVE-2007-0903 in ejabberd
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the mod_roster_odbc module in ejabberd before 1.1.3 has unknown impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0903 affects the mod_roster_odbc module within ejabberd software versions prior to 1.1.3, representing a critical security weakness in instant messaging and chat server infrastructure. This unspecified vulnerability resides within the Open Database Connectivity module responsible for managing roster data storage and retrieval in ejabberd's database backend. The mod_roster_odbc module serves as a bridge between the ejabberd server and external database systems, enabling persistent storage of user contact lists and roster information. The vulnerability's nature remains unspecified, suggesting that the exact technical flaw has not been fully documented or disclosed in the initial CVE report, which creates uncertainty for security professionals attempting to assess risk and implement appropriate countermeasures. This type of unspecified vulnerability in authentication and data management modules typically indicates potential weaknesses in input validation, memory handling, or database interaction protocols that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw within the mod_roster_odbc module likely stems from inadequate validation of database inputs or improper handling of database connection parameters that could allow attackers to manipulate roster data or potentially gain unauthorized access to database resources. Given that this module interfaces directly with database systems, the vulnerability could manifest through various attack vectors including SQL injection, buffer overflows, or improper access control mechanisms. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests that it may involve complex interaction patterns between the module's database handling code and the underlying database engine, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or data manipulation attacks. This module's role in storing roster information makes it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to compromise user contact lists, access sensitive communication data, or potentially gain deeper access to the ejabberd server infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact could extend beyond simple data manipulation to include potential system compromise or information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability in ejabberd installations poses significant risks to organizations relying on the software for instant messaging and collaboration services. Organizations using affected versions of ejabberd may experience unauthorized access to user contact lists, potentially exposing sensitive communication patterns and user relationships. The vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate roster data, potentially leading to denial of service conditions where legitimate users cannot access their contact lists or receive messages. In scenarios where database credentials are improperly managed or where the module lacks proper access controls, the vulnerability could facilitate unauthorized database access, leading to broader data breaches or system compromise. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as security teams cannot accurately assess the full scope of potential attack vectors or determine the appropriate defensive measures needed to protect their infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0903 should prioritize immediate upgrade to ejabberd version 1.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the unspecified vulnerability in the mod_roster_odbc module. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their ejabberd installations to identify any potential exploitation attempts or unauthorized access patterns that may have occurred before patching. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit database access to only necessary ejabberd processes and authorized administrators. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database connection patterns or unauthorized roster modifications that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE categories related to database interaction flaws and input validation weaknesses, and represents a potential attack vector in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the initial access and credential access phases. Regular security audits of database configurations and access controls should be performed to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other ejabberd modules or related components. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring of database activities to detect any anomalous behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts against the mod_roster_odbc module or other database-connected components within their ejabberd deployment.