CVE-2014-9713 in OpenLDAP
Summary
by MITRE
The default slapd configuration in the Debian openldap package 2.4.23-3 through 2.4.39-1.1 allows remote authenticated users to modify the user's permissions and other user attributes via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-9713 represents a significant security flaw in the default configuration of the OpenLDAP slapd service packaged by Debian. This issue affects versions ranging from 2.4.23-3 through 2.4.39-1.1, creating a persistent risk for organizations relying on Debian-based LDAP implementations. The vulnerability specifically targets the default slapd configuration which fails to properly enforce access controls, allowing authenticated users to exploit unspecified vectors to modify user permissions and other user attributes. This represents a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security model of the directory service.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access control configuration within the slapd daemon's default settings. When users authenticate to the LDAP service, they should be restricted to operations within their designated access boundaries as defined by the access control lists. However, the vulnerable Debian package configuration fails to properly implement these restrictions, enabling authenticated users to escalate their privileges and modify sensitive user attributes. This weakness falls under the category of inadequate access control as classified by CWE-284, where the system fails to properly enforce authorization mechanisms. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may be exploitable through multiple attack paths including but not limited to LDAP modify operations, attribute manipulation, or privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the ability to modify user permissions and attributes within the directory service. This capability allows for potential account takeover scenarios, privilege escalation attacks, and the ability to manipulate user access rights across the entire LDAP directory structure. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to grant themselves administrative privileges, modify user passwords, or alter access controls for other users, effectively compromising the entire directory service infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where LDAP services are used for centralized authentication and authorization, as this vulnerability could lead to complete compromise of the authentication system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing), as it enables adversaries to leverage legitimate credentials to gain elevated access and potentially establish persistent access to the network.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to address the security risk. The primary recommendation involves modifying the slapd configuration to properly enforce access controls through the use of appropriate access control lists and ensuring that default configurations are reviewed and hardened. Administrators should implement strict access controls that prevent authenticated users from modifying other user attributes, particularly those related to permissions and access rights. The configuration should be reviewed against the OpenLDAP documentation and security best practices to ensure that access controls are properly enforced. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring and logging of LDAP modify operations to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of LDAP configurations should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping software packages updated and following security guidelines provided by the software vendors and security organizations. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional authentication controls to reduce the impact of potential exploitation.