CVE-2007-5373 in ldapscripts
Summary
by MITRE
ldapscripts 1.4 and 1.7 sends a password as a command line argument when calling some LDAP programs, which might allow local users to read the password by listing the process and its arguments, as demonstrated by a call to ldappasswd in the _changepassword function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5373 affects ldapscripts versions 1.4 and 1.7, representing a critical security flaw in how the software handles authentication credentials during LDAP operations. This issue stems from the insecure practice of passing passwords as command line arguments when executing LDAP programs, creating an inherent exposure that can be exploited by local attackers. The specific demonstration involves the _changepassword function calling ldappasswd with the password parameter directly in the command line, which violates fundamental security principles for credential handling.
The technical flaw manifests through the process enumeration mechanism available to local users, where command line arguments are visible in process lists accessible via tools such as ps or /proc filesystem examination. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-255, which addresses insecure credential handling, and specifically relates to CWE-312, concerning the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage or transmission. When ldapscripts executes LDAP commands with passwords in command line arguments, these credentials become permanently visible in the process table, creating a persistent exposure that can be exploited by any local user with basic process enumeration privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables unauthorized access to LDAP directories and potentially compromised user accounts. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges within the directory service environment, potentially leading to complete compromise of the authentication infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems where ldapscripts is used for user management operations, particularly in enterprise environments where LDAP servers manage critical authentication services. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations relying on these scripts for routine administrative tasks, as the password exposure occurs during legitimate operations rather than through malicious attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5373 require immediate implementation of secure credential handling practices within ldapscripts. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of ldapscripts that properly handle passwords through secure input methods such as stdin or environment variables rather than command line arguments. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555.003, which covers credentials from password stores, by ensuring that sensitive information is not exposed through process arguments. System administrators should also implement process monitoring to detect and alert on suspicious command line patterns, while applying principle of least privilege to limit local user access to processes that might expose sensitive data. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing centralized logging and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails of credential handling operations within their LDAP environments.