CVE-2008-4479 in eDirectory
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in dhost.exe in Novell eDirectory 8.8 before 8.8.3, and 8.7.3 before 8.7.3.10 ftf1, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a SOAP request with a long Accept-Language header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4479 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw in Novell eDirectory software versions prior to specific patches. This vulnerability specifically affects the dhost.exe component which serves as the core directory host process for Novell eDirectory. The flaw manifests when processing SOAP requests that contain excessively long Accept-Language headers, creating a condition where memory allocated on the heap becomes overwritten beyond its intended boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a serious memory corruption vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a remote attack vector where an attacker can craft a malicious SOAP request containing an oversized Accept-Language header field. When the vulnerable dhost.exe process processes this request, the insufficient input validation allows the header data to overflow into adjacent heap memory regions. This memory corruption can overwrite critical program structures, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow and ultimately execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the dhost.exe process. The attack does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any remote user with network access to the affected service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to directory services. The Novell eDirectory service typically runs with elevated privileges to manage directory information and access controls, making successful exploitation a severe security incident. Attackers could potentially gain access to sensitive directory data, escalate privileges within the directory service, or use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of directory services, which are fundamental to many enterprise authentication and authorization systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the security patches released by Novell, specifically updating to eDirectory 8.8.3 or 8.7.3.10 ftf1 and later versions. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected service to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring should be enabled to detect suspicious SOAP requests containing unusually long Accept-Language headers, which could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code through the compromised directory service. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for patterns consistent with this specific buffer overflow exploitation pattern.