CVE-2015-7294 in ldapauth-fork
Summary
by MITRE
ldapauth-fork before 2.3.3 allows remote attackers to perform LDAP injection attacks via a crafted username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7294 affects the ldapauth-fork node.js module, which is commonly used for authentication purposes in web applications. This module handles Lightweight Directory Access Protocol authentication and was found to be susceptible to LDAP injection attacks due to inadequate input sanitization. The flaw specifically impacts versions prior to 2.3.3, making older implementations particularly vulnerable to exploitation by remote attackers who can manipulate authentication flows through crafted usernames.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of user input within the LDAP query construction process. When a username is provided during authentication, the ldapauth-fork module directly incorporates this input into LDAP search filters without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This creates an injection vector where maliciously crafted usernames can contain special LDAP metacharacters such as parentheses, asterisks, or other control characters that alter the intended query structure. Attackers can exploit this by embedding LDAP filter operators within the username field to bypass authentication mechanisms, manipulate search results, or potentially gain unauthorized access to directory services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypasses, as it can enable attackers to perform directory traversal attacks, enumerate user accounts, or even execute unauthorized queries against the LDAP directory service. The remote nature of this attack means that adversaries do not require local system access or physical proximity to exploit the vulnerability. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where LDAP authentication is used for critical systems, user management, or enterprise directory services. The vulnerability can be exploited in various scenarios including web application authentication flows, API endpoints, or any system that relies on ldapauth-fork for directory authentication.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of code injection in software applications. The attack pattern follows techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1190 category for exploitation of remote services, specifically targeting authentication mechanisms. Organizations using ldapauth-fork should immediately upgrade to version 2.3.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the fix implements proper input sanitization and escaping mechanisms for LDAP queries. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, including application-level sanitization and network-level monitoring, can provide defense-in-depth against similar injection attacks. Regular security assessments of authentication modules and dependency updates should be part of routine security maintenance to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities.