CVE-2009-4879 in Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The Identity Server in Novell Access Manager before 3.1 SP1 allows attackers with disabled Active Directory accounts to authenticate using X.509 authentication, which bypasses intended access restrictions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-4879 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Novell Access Manager's Identity Server component. This issue affects versions prior to 3.1 Service Pack 1 and specifically targets the X.509 authentication mechanism. The flaw occurs when Active Directory accounts are disabled yet attackers can still successfully authenticate through the X.509 authentication process, effectively circumventing the intended access controls that should prevent disabled accounts from gaining system access. This represents a significant weakness in the identity and access management infrastructure, as it allows unauthorized access through a bypass mechanism that should not be possible.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of account status during the authentication process. When X.509 certificates are presented for authentication, the system fails to properly verify that the associated Active Directory account remains active and enabled. This creates a scenario where even though an account has been disabled in Active Directory, the X.509 authentication path does not perform the necessary account status checks that would normally prevent access. The flaw operates at the authentication validation layer, where certificate-based authentication is processed without proper account state verification, creating a gap in the security controls that should enforce account status as part of the authentication process. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication, and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Attackers can exploit this weakness to maintain unauthorized access to systems even after account disablement, which undermines the fundamental security principle that disabled accounts should not be able to authenticate. This creates a persistent backdoor that can be used for extended periods without detection, potentially allowing for data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on identity management systems for access control, as it allows attackers to bypass account management policies that are designed to quickly revoke access when accounts are compromised or when employees leave the organization. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential compliance violations, as many regulatory frameworks require that disabled accounts be immediately inaccessible.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Novell Access Manager 3.1 SP1 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed. The fix typically involves ensuring that X.509 authentication processes properly validate account status against Active Directory before granting access. Additional defensive measures include implementing comprehensive monitoring for authentication attempts from disabled accounts, deploying network segmentation to limit the scope of potential compromise, and ensuring that account disablement procedures are followed consistently across all authentication systems. Security teams should also consider implementing automated account lifecycle management processes that ensure disabled accounts are immediately and permanently inaccessible across all authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining consistent security controls across all authentication paths and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of authentication workflows to ensure that account status validation occurs consistently throughout the system. The remediation process should also include validating that all authentication mechanisms properly integrate with account management systems to prevent similar issues in the future.