CVE-2009-0192 in eDirectory
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in the iMonitor component in Novell eDirectory 8.8 SP3, 8.8 SP3 FTF3, and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an HTTP request with a crafted Accept-Language header, which triggers a stack-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0192 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the iMonitor component of Novell eDirectory software. This issue stems from an off-by-one error that occurs when processing HTTP requests containing specially crafted Accept-Language headers. The vulnerability affects specific versions including Novell eDirectory 8.8 SP3 and 8.8 SP3 FTF3, with potential implications for other related versions in the product line. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. This particular implementation vulnerability exposes the iMonitor component to remote code execution attacks, as the malformed header input directly translates into memory corruption during request processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specific HTTP request containing an improperly formatted Accept-Language header that exceeds the allocated buffer size by exactly one byte. This off-by-one condition creates a scenario where the application writes beyond the intended memory boundaries, potentially overwriting return addresses, stack canaries, or other critical program state information. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that the attacker can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting the return address of the affected function, thereby redirecting code execution to malicious payload code. This attack vector operates entirely over HTTP protocol and requires no authentication or prior access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for network-facing applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service account, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive directory services, data exfiltration, privilege escalation to administrative accounts, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's presence in the iMonitor component specifically affects monitoring and management functions of Novell eDirectory, potentially compromising the integrity of directory services and the systems that depend on them for authentication and authorization. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their directory infrastructure, which could lead to widespread security breaches across their enterprise networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0192 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Novell eDirectory installations with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the iMonitor component, particularly by blocking HTTP traffic on the relevant ports unless absolutely necessary. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious Accept-Language header patterns. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual HTTP request patterns and potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in network services, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution, where successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and establish incident response procedures for handling such vulnerabilities.