CVE-2016-9167 in eDirectory
Summary
by MITRE
NDSD in Novell eDirectory before 9.0.2 did not calculate ACLs on LDAP objects across partition boundaries correctly, which could lead to a privilege escalation by modifying user attributes that would otherwise be filtered by an ACL.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9167 affects the Novell eDirectory directory service, specifically within the NDSD (Novell Directory Services Daemon) component. This issue exists in versions prior to 9.0.2 and represents a significant security flaw that undermines the fundamental access control mechanisms of the directory service. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of Access Control Lists (ACLs) when processing LDAP objects that span multiple partition boundaries within the directory structure.
The technical flaw manifests in the incorrect calculation of ACLs across partition boundaries, where the system fails to properly enforce access controls when users attempt to modify attributes on LDAP objects. This misconfiguration allows authenticated users to bypass normal ACL restrictions by manipulating user attributes that should normally be filtered or restricted based on their access permissions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the way the directory service evaluates and applies access controls when objects are distributed across different partitions, creating a scenario where privilege escalation becomes possible through attribute modification operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious risk to organizations relying on Novell eDirectory for their directory services infrastructure. Attackers who can authenticate to the system can exploit this flaw to gain elevated privileges and access resources that should be restricted to authorized users only. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it allows for potential lateral movement within the directory structure and could enable attackers to modify critical user accounts, groups, or system attributes. The vulnerability essentially undermines the entire access control framework of the directory service, making it possible for users to escalate their privileges without proper authorization.
The flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1548 for abuse of privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Novell eDirectory version 9.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the ACL calculation errors. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough reviews of existing ACL configurations and implement monitoring for unauthorized attribute modifications. Network segmentation and least privilege access principles should be reinforced to minimize the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while also ensuring proper audit logging is enabled to detect suspicious activities related to directory attribute modifications.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in directory services and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of core infrastructure components. The issue serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor flaws in access control mechanisms can have significant security implications, particularly in environments where directory services serve as the foundation for authentication and authorization processes across enterprise networks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as privileged access management solutions and regular security assessments of their directory service configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited.