CVE-2025-2487 in 389-ds-base
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2025
A flaw was found in the 389-ds-base LDAP Server. This issue occurs when issuing a Modify DN LDAP operation through the ldap protocol, when the function return value is not tested and a NULL pointer is dereferenced. If a privileged user performs a ldap MODDN operation after a failed operation, it could lead to a Denial of Service (DoS) or system crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-2487 resides within the 389-ds-base LDAP server implementation, representing a critical flaw that exploits improper error handling during Modify DN operations. This issue manifests when the server processes LDAP Modify DN requests through the ldap protocol, specifically when the function return value is not adequately validated. The root cause stems from a lack of proper null pointer checking mechanisms that should occur after LDAP operations, creating a scenario where subsequent operations may attempt to dereference null pointers. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-476 which categorizes null pointer dereference conditions as a common programming error that can lead to system instability and potential crashes. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the core protocol handling layer of the LDAP server, where authentication and directory operations are processed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable system compromise through denial of service attacks. When a privileged user executes a ldap MODDN operation following a failed previous operation, the server's failure to properly validate return values creates a condition where a null pointer dereference can occur. This scenario typically results in immediate system crashes or denial of service conditions that can persist until manual server restart is performed. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by its requirement for only a privileged user account, making it accessible to authenticated attackers who can leverage their access rights to trigger the problematic code path. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 technique for Endpoint Denial of Service, where adversaries can disrupt services through targeted exploitation of software flaws.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices within the 389-ds-base server codebase, where error handling routines fail to validate expected return values from underlying LDAP operations. The absence of proper null checks after modify DN operations creates a cascading failure condition that propagates through the server's execution flow, ultimately leading to memory access violations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where LDAP servers serve as critical infrastructure components for authentication and directory services. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it can be triggered through legitimate LDAP protocol operations, making it difficult to distinguish from normal operational traffic. Organizations relying on 389-ds-base servers for directory services should implement immediate mitigations including patch updates from Red Hat or vendor-specific security advisories, along with monitoring for anomalous LDAP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and limiting privileged user access to only necessary operations can reduce the attack surface for this particular vulnerability.