CVE-2008-5696 in NetWare
Summary
by MITRE
Novell NetWare 6.5 before Support Pack 8, when an OES2 Linux server is installed into the NDS tree, does not require a password for the ApacheAdmin console, which allows remote attackers to reconfigure the Apache HTTP Server via console operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5696 represents a critical authentication flaw within Novell NetWare 6.5 systems running OES2 Linux server components. This weakness stems from the improper configuration of the ApacheAdmin console access controls, creating an unauthorized entry point that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms. The issue specifically affects systems where the OES2 Linux server has been integrated into the NDS (Novell Directory Services) tree structure, leaving the Apache HTTP Server configuration vulnerable to remote exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a lack of password protection for the ApacheAdmin console interface, which operates as a management tool for configuring the Apache HTTP Server. This flaw allows remote attackers to perform administrative operations directly through the console without proper authentication, effectively granting them full control over the web server configuration. The vulnerability exists in the default installation configuration of the OES2 Linux server component, making it particularly dangerous as it affects systems that have not undergone proper security hardening or patching procedures. The absence of password requirements for the administrative console creates an unauthenticated access vector that can be exploited from any network location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the Apache HTTP Server configuration. Remote attackers can modify server settings, alter security configurations, inject malicious content, or redirect traffic through the compromised server. This access enables potential data exfiltration, service disruption, and establishment of persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the CWE-287 category, which addresses improper authentication issues, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and remote code execution. Organizations using affected NetWare systems face significant risk of unauthorized server compromise and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches provided by Novell, specifically addressing the ApacheAdmin console authentication requirements. System administrators should ensure that all OES2 Linux server installations are updated to Support Pack 8 or later versions that address this authentication flaw. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the ApacheAdmin console, and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to administrative interfaces from trusted network segments only. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by configuring the console to require strong authentication credentials and implementing multi-factor authentication where possible. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar configuration weaknesses in other network components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control configuration in enterprise network infrastructure.