CVE-2013-1897 in 389 Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
The do_search function in ldap/servers/slapd/search.c in 389 Directory Server 1.2.x before 1.2.11.20 and 1.3.x before 1.3.0.5 does not properly restrict access to entries when the nsslapd-allow-anonymous-access configuration is set to rootdse and the BASE search scope is used, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information outside of the rootDSE via a crafted LDAP search.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1897 represents a critical access control flaw within the 389 Directory Server implementation that directly impacts the security posture of directory services. This issue specifically affects versions 1.2.x prior to 1.2.11.20 and 1.3.x prior to 1.3.0.5, where the do_search function in the ldap/servers/slapd/search.c component fails to properly enforce access restrictions. The vulnerability manifests when the nsslapd-allow-anonymous-access configuration parameter is set to rootdse, creating a dangerous misconfiguration that bypasses normal authentication requirements. When combined with the BASE search scope, this flaw enables unauthorized access to directory entries that should otherwise remain protected, fundamentally undermining the security model of the directory service.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves a failure in the search function's access control validation logic. The nsslapd-allow-anonymous-access setting with rootdse value is intended to permit anonymous access only to the rootDSE entry, which contains directory server information and capabilities. However, the implementation flaw allows attackers to craft LDAP search requests that exploit the BASE scope to traverse beyond the designated rootDSE boundaries. This occurs because the do_search function does not properly validate whether the requested search scope and parameters align with the configured anonymous access permissions, creating a path traversal vulnerability that enables information disclosure.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1897 is substantial as it allows remote attackers to extract sensitive directory information without proper authentication credentials. This vulnerability specifically targets directory servers that are configured to allow anonymous access to rootDSE entries, which is a common configuration in many enterprise environments. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gather detailed information about the directory structure, available entries, and potentially sensitive attributes that should be protected. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized information disclosure that could be used for further reconnaissance, privilege escalation, or targeted attacks against the directory service infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing 389 Directory Server versions affected by this vulnerability face significant risks including potential data breaches, insider threat exploitation, and compliance violations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a classic example of how misconfigured access control settings can create security weaknesses. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1087.001 (Account Discovery) and T1069.001 (Security Software Discovery) as attackers can use the information disclosure to map directory structures and identify security configurations. The vulnerability also intersects with T1566 (Phishing) and T1592 (Resource Development) as the gathered information can be used to craft more sophisticated social engineering attacks or to identify additional targets within the directory environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1897 should prioritize immediate patching of affected 389 Directory Server installations to versions 1.2.11.20 or 1.3.0.5 where the vulnerability has been resolved. Organizations should also review and tighten their anonymous access configurations, particularly avoiding the rootdse setting for nsslapd-allow-anonymous-access unless absolutely necessary for legitimate operational requirements. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict LDAP traffic to only trusted sources, and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual search patterns or unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, regular security audits of directory service configurations should be conducted to ensure compliance with security best practices and to identify similar misconfigurations that could create analogous vulnerabilities. The fix implemented in the patched versions addresses the core access control validation logic to properly enforce scope restrictions when anonymous access is configured, thereby preventing the unauthorized traversal of directory entries.