CVE-2009-4080 in OpenSolaris
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in ldap_cachemgr (aka the LDAP client configuration cache daemon) in Sun Solaris 9 and 10, and OpenSolaris before snv_78, allow local users to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) via vectors involving multiple serviceSearchDescriptor attributes and a call to the getldap_lookup function, and unspecified other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4080 affects the ldap_cachemgr daemon component within Sun Solaris operating systems, specifically versions 9 and 10, along with OpenSolaris prior to snv_78. This daemon serves as the LDAP client configuration cache manager responsible for maintaining cached LDAP directory service configurations that applications can reference. The daemon operates with elevated privileges and maintains critical directory service connectivity for system authentication and authorization processes. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the daemon's processing of LDAP service search descriptors, creating a condition where malformed or excessive attribute data can trigger unexpected behavior.
The technical flaw manifests when the daemon processes multiple serviceSearchDescriptor attributes through the getldap_lookup function, which is responsible for resolving LDAP service lookups. This function lacks proper bounds checking and validation mechanisms to handle excessive or malformed attribute data, leading to memory corruption or stack overflow conditions. The vulnerability can be exploited by local users who have access to the system and can manipulate LDAP configuration data or trigger specific lookup scenarios that cause the daemon to crash. The unspecified nature of additional attack vectors suggests that multiple code paths within the daemon's processing logic may contain similar validation weaknesses that could lead to similar denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple daemon crashes, as the ldap_cachemgr daemon is integral to the system's directory service functionality. When the daemon crashes, it disrupts LDAP-based authentication and authorization services, potentially affecting user login capabilities, service access controls, and system-wide directory service integration. The denial of service condition can persist until the daemon is manually restarted or the system is rebooted, creating potential availability issues for services that depend on LDAP directory lookups. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Solaris systems rely heavily on LDAP for centralized user management and authentication services, making it a significant concern for system administrators.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate system patching and configuration hardening measures. System administrators should apply the relevant security patches provided by Oracle to address the specific validation issues in the ldap_cachemgr daemon. Additionally, implementing proper access controls to limit local user privileges and monitoring for unusual LDAP service activity can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that can lead to denial of service scenarios. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as local users can leverage the daemon's behavior to disrupt system services. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect abnormal LDAP query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.