CVE-2007-5707 in OpenLDAP
Summary
by MITRE
OpenLDAP before 2.3.39 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (slapd crash) via an LDAP request with a malformed objectClasses attribute. NOTE: this has been reported as a double free, but the reports are inconsistent.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5707 represents a critical denial of service flaw within OpenLDAP implementations prior to version 2.3.39. This vulnerability manifests when a remote attacker crafts a malicious LDAP request containing a malformed objectClasses attribute, which triggers an unpredictable crash in the slapd daemon responsible for handling LDAP queries. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the OpenLDAP server software, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged to disrupt legitimate service operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to improper input validation mechanisms within the LDAP processing pipeline. The malformed objectClasses attribute exploits a weakness in how the slapd service handles attribute parsing, potentially leading to a double free memory error as reported in some instances, though the inconsistency in reporting suggests the vulnerability may manifest through multiple memory corruption vectors. This flaw demonstrates the dangerous consequences of insufficient bounds checking and memory management practices within server-side applications that process untrusted network input.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5707 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be weaponized by attackers to create persistent availability issues within directory services infrastructure. Organizations relying on OpenLDAP for authentication, authorization, and directory services face significant risk of service degradation or complete outages when this vulnerability is exploited. The remote nature of the attack means that even unauthenticated adversaries can potentially disrupt services, making this a particularly concerning vulnerability for enterprise environments where directory services form the backbone of user authentication and access control systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected OpenLDAP installations to version 2.3.39 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes and input validation improvements. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of LDAP services to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual LDAP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed LDAP requests and maintaining regular security assessments of directory services can help prevent successful exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both the immediate threat and broader security posture of directory services infrastructure.