CVE-2014-0132 in 389 Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
The SASL authentication functionality in 389 Directory Server before 1.2.11.26 allows remote authenticated users to connect as an arbitrary user and gain privileges via the authzid parameter in a SASL/GSSAPI bind.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0132 represents a critical authorization flaw within the 389 Directory Server authentication system, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.2.11.26. This issue resides in the Simple Authentication and Security Layer implementation that governs how users authenticate to directory services through the SASL/GSSAPI bind mechanism. The 389 Directory Server, which serves as a robust open-source directory service implementation, utilizes SASL for secure authentication processes that typically involve multiple security layers including authentication, integrity protection, and confidentiality. The flaw manifests when authenticated users manipulate the authzid parameter during the SASL/GSSAPI bind operation, enabling them to bypass normal authorization controls and assume the identity of other users within the directory service.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authorization enforcement within the SASL implementation. When a user successfully authenticates through SASL/GSSAPI, the system should validate that the authenticated user has proper authorization to assume the target identity specified in the authzid parameter. However, the 389 Directory Server fails to properly verify this authorization relationship, allowing an authenticated user to specify any arbitrary user identifier in the authzid field during the bind operation. This misconfiguration creates a privilege escalation path where a regular authenticated user can effectively impersonate administrative accounts or other users with elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive directory information and performing unauthorized operations within the directory service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the directory service infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can perform lateral movement within directory-based authentication systems, access privileged accounts, and potentially compromise entire directory service environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the authentication layer, meaning that successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of directory service integrity and availability. Organizations relying on 389 Directory Server for identity management, authentication, and authorization services face significant risk exposure, as this flaw enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to directory resources that may contain sensitive user information, system credentials, and privileged access controls. The vulnerability also impacts compliance with security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, as it creates unauthorized access pathways that violate fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper authorization controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0132 primarily involve immediate patching of the 389 Directory Server to version 1.2.11.26 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate authorization relationships during SASL/GSSAPI bind operations. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging controls to detect suspicious authentication patterns, particularly unusual authzid parameter usage. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of directory services to untrusted networks, while implementing proper audit trails for all bind operations. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their directory service environments to identify any other potential authorization bypasses or privilege escalation vulnerabilities, as this flaw may indicate broader issues within the authentication infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) when considering how attackers might leverage compromised accounts to exploit this weakness. Organizations should also review their directory service configurations to ensure that proper access controls are in place and that users cannot manipulate authorization parameters during authentication processes, as this vulnerability fundamentally compromises the security boundary between authentication and authorization mechanisms.