CVE-2011-0022 in 389 Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
The setup scripts in 389 Directory Server 1.2.x (aka Red Hat Directory Server 8.2.x), when multiple unprivileged instances are configured, use 0777 permissions for the /var/run/dirsrv directory, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (daemon outage or arbitrary process termination) by replacing PID files contained in this directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0022 affects the 389 Directory Server version 1.2.x, also known as Red Hat Directory Server 8.2.x, presenting a critical security flaw in the server's setup scripts that impacts multiple unprivileged instances. This issue stems from improper permission handling during the initialization process of directory server instances, creating a significant attack surface for local users who can exploit the flawed directory permissions to disrupt server operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the /var/run/dirsrv directory, which serves as the primary location for storing process identification files that are essential for maintaining server daemon functionality and instance management.
The technical flaw manifests through the setup scripts that configure multiple unprivileged instances of the directory server, where these scripts inadvertently assign overly permissive 0777 permissions to the /var/run/dirsrv directory. This permission setting allows any local user to modify or replace the PID files that are crucial for process management and daemon coordination. When an attacker replaces these PID files with malicious content or removes them entirely, it creates a cascading effect that can lead to daemon outage or arbitrary process termination, effectively causing a denial of service condition that compromises the availability of directory services. This flaw represents a classic case of insecure temporary file handling and improper privilege management that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it provides local users with the capability to cause significant system instability within the directory server environment. The denial of service conditions can result in complete daemon outages that prevent legitimate users and applications from accessing directory services, potentially affecting authentication, authorization, and directory lookup operations that are critical to enterprise infrastructure. Furthermore, the arbitrary process termination capability allows attackers to potentially escalate their influence within the system by targeting other processes that depend on the directory server functionality, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where directory services are fundamental to overall system operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses the scenario where critical system resources are assigned incorrect permissions that allow unauthorized modification or access. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, which covers methods of causing denial of service conditions on endpoints through manipulation of system resources. Additionally, the issue demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation through file system manipulation, similar to techniques described in ATT&CK matrix under privilege escalation categories. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only local access, making it particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by any user with system access, including potentially compromised accounts or malicious insiders.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0022 should focus on immediate permission correction of the affected directory and implementation of proper privilege separation mechanisms. System administrators should immediately adjust the permissions on /var/run/dirsrv to use restrictive permissions such as 0755 or 0700, ensuring that only the appropriate user accounts or processes can modify the directory contents. The setup scripts should be updated to ensure that they create the directory with proper permissions during installation and configuration phases, eliminating the possibility of insecure permission assignment. Additionally, implementing proper file system monitoring and access controls can help detect unauthorized modifications to critical system directories. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation practices that ensure multiple instances operate with minimal necessary permissions, reducing the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar permission-related flaws in other system components, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader security configuration issues that require comprehensive remediation across the entire system infrastructure.