CVE-2015-3230 in Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
389 Directory Server (formerly Fedora Directory Server) before 1.3.3.12 does not enforce the nsSSL3Ciphers preference when creating an sslSocket, which allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact by requesting to use a disabled cipher.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3230 affects the 389 Directory Server, a comprehensive directory service implementation that provides LDAP and other directory services for enterprise environments. This flaw resides in the server's handling of SSL/TLS connections where the nsSSL3Ciphers preference setting is not properly enforced during sslSocket creation. The 389 Directory Server, formerly known as Fedora Directory Server, serves as a critical component in many enterprise infrastructure deployments where secure authentication and directory services are required. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of cipher suite preferences, allowing attackers to bypass intended security controls that should restrict the use of specific cryptographic algorithms.
The technical flaw manifests when the server fails to validate the nsSSL3Ciphers preference during the SSL socket initialization process. This preference setting is designed to control which cipher suites are permitted for SSL/TLS connections, enabling administrators to disable weak or deprecated cryptographic algorithms that pose security risks. When this validation is bypassed, attackers can negotiate connections using cipher suites that have been explicitly disabled through configuration, effectively circumventing the security controls put in place by system administrators. The vulnerability represents a failure in the server's cryptographic policy enforcement mechanism, allowing for the use of potentially compromised or weak encryption algorithms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on 389 Directory Server for secure directory services. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to establish SSL/TLS connections using disabled cipher suites, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks or weakening the overall cryptographic security posture of the directory service. The unspecified impact mentioned in the vulnerability description suggests that the consequences could vary depending on the specific cipher suites being used and the broader security environment. This could result in data interception, authentication bypasses, or other security breaches that compromise the integrity and confidentiality of directory services. Organizations using the affected version may experience reduced security assurance, particularly in environments where strict cryptographic controls are required for compliance with regulatory standards.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which covers cryptographic issues, specifically focusing on weaknesses in cryptographic implementations and policy enforcement. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving protocol manipulation and credential access through weakened encryption. The issue also relates to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, as the compromised cipher suite selection can undermine the overall security of TLS connections. Organizations should immediately upgrade to version 1.3.3.12 or later to address this vulnerability, as the fix ensures proper enforcement of the nsSSL3Ciphers preference during sslSocket creation. Additionally, administrators should review their current SSL/TLS configurations to ensure that weak cipher suites are properly disabled and that appropriate monitoring is in place to detect unauthorized cipher suite usage. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper cryptographic policy enforcement and highlights the critical need for regular security updates in directory services infrastructure.