CVE-2007-3224 in Java System Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Sun ONE/Java System Directory Server (slapd) 6.0, and 5.x before 5.2 Patch 5, allows remote attackers to determine the existence of attributes of an entry via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3224 affects Sun ONE Directory Server and Java System Directory Server implementations of the slapd service, specifically versions 6.0 and 5.x prior to 5.2 Patch 5. This represents a significant information disclosure weakness that enables remote attackers to infer the presence or absence of specific attributes within directory entries through indirect means. The flaw resides in the directory server's response handling mechanisms during attribute queries, where the server provides different response behaviors based on whether requested attributes exist or not. This differential response pattern creates a side-channel attack vector that can be exploited to map the attribute structure of directory entries without direct access to their contents.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure issues where systems inadvertently reveal information about their internal state or structure. The flaw operates through unspecified vectors that likely involve variations in server response times, error messages, or connection handling when attribute requests are processed. Attackers can systematically query the directory server with various attribute combinations and observe the server's response characteristics to deduce which attributes are present in specific entries. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of information leakage in directory services and represents a classic case of how seemingly benign server behavior can expose sensitive structural information about the underlying directory database. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of consistent response handling in security-critical systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks against the directory infrastructure. By determining which attributes exist on directory entries, attackers can better understand the directory structure and potentially identify sensitive attributes such as password hashes, security identifiers, or other privileged information. This intelligence can facilitate subsequent attacks including privilege escalation, credential harvesting, or targeted exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the directory service. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where directory servers are accessible from untrusted networks, as the information disclosure can be achieved entirely through network-based reconnaissance without requiring authentication. Organizations relying on directory services for identity management, authentication, or access control may face increased risk of targeted attacks that exploit the discovered attribute structure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing consistent response handling across all attribute queries and ensuring that server responses do not vary based on attribute existence. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patches for versions 5.2 Patch 5 and 6.0, which address the inconsistent response behavior. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of directory services to untrusted networks. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring can help detect anomalous querying patterns that may indicate reconnaissance activity targeting this vulnerability. Security controls should also include regular assessment of directory service configurations to ensure that response behaviors are consistent regardless of attribute existence. This vulnerability highlights the importance of considering side-channel attack vectors during security design reviews and demonstrates how seemingly innocuous server behaviors can create exploitable information leakage opportunities. The remediation process should align with industry best practices for secure configuration management and emphasize the need for consistent security response patterns in directory service implementations.