CVE-2008-7287 in Tivoli Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple memory leaks in the (1) ldap_init and (2) ldap_url_search_direct API functions in IBM Tivoli Directory Server (TDS) 5.2 before 5.2.0.5-TIV-ITDS-LA0007 allow remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) by making many function calls.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7287 represents a critical memory management flaw within IBM Tivoli Directory Server version 5.2 prior to 5.2.0.5-TIV-ITDS-LA0007. This issue affects two core LDAP API functions, ldap_init and ldap_url_search_direct, which are fundamental components for directory service communication and authentication processes. The vulnerability stems from improper memory allocation and deallocation mechanisms that fail to release allocated memory resources properly after repeated function calls, creating a condition where memory consumption gradually increases without bounds.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which categorizes memory leaks as a common weakness in software development practices. Attackers can exploit this flaw by making multiple sequential calls to either of the affected API functions, causing the server to continuously allocate memory without proper cleanup. This behavior results in progressive memory exhaustion that ultimately leads to system instability and denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access to exploit, making it accessible to users who have legitimate credentials within the directory service environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on IBM Tivoli Directory Server for critical directory services and authentication infrastructure. The memory consumption pattern typically starts slowly but accelerates with continued exploitation, potentially causing system crashes, performance degradation, or complete service unavailability. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as memory leaks can affect other applications sharing the same system resources, creating cascading failures within the broader IT infrastructure. Organizations using this directory server version may experience increased system maintenance overhead and potential security incidents due to service interruptions.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service. Security teams should implement monitoring solutions to track memory usage patterns and API call frequency for these specific functions. The recommended mitigation involves applying the vendor-supplied patch version 5.2.0.5-TIV-ITDS-LA0007 which addresses the memory management issues in the affected API functions. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and connection pooling mechanisms can help reduce the impact of potential exploitation attempts while maintaining service availability. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring systems to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.