Novell eDirectory Management Console Accept-Language Buffer Overflow

Assurent ID: FSC20090226-11

1. Affected Software

  Novell eDirectory 8.8.3 prior to patch 8.8.3 FTF3
  Novell eDirectory 8.8.4 prior to patch 8.8.4 FTF1 
  Novell eDirectory 8.7.3 prior to patch 8.7.3.10b Hotfix 1 

2. Vulnerability Summary

A remotely exploitable vulnerability has been discovered in the iMonitor component of Novell eDirectory. Specifically, the vulnerability is due to a boundary error when processing incoming HTTP requests and can lead to a buffer overflow condition. This boundary error can allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target host with System or root privileges.

3. Vulnerability Analysis

A remote unauthenticated attacker can exploit the vulnerability by sending a malicious HTTP request to the target system. A successful attack will result in a arbitrary code executed on the target host with System or root privileges. An unsuccessful attack can create a Denial of Service (DoS) condition for Novell eDirectory server.

4. Vulnerability Detection

Assurent has confirmed the vulnerability in:

  Novell eDirectory 8.8 SP3 FTF2
  Novell eDirectory 8.7.3

5. Workaround

Apply the vendor patch, or limit access to the affected communication port for trusted hosts and networks only.

A patch for Novell eDirectory 8.8 SP3 is available at: http://download.novell.com/Download?buildid=Cf15mVyA3GI~ 
A patch for eDirectory 8.7.3 and 8.8.4 are expected to be released next week. 

6. Vendor Response

Novell has released a bulletin addressing this vulnerability. 

Reference: TID 7000538

7. Disclosure Timeline

  2008-11-12 Reported to vendor
  2008-11-13 Initial vendor response
  2009-02-27 Public disclosure

8. Credits

Vulnerability Research Team, Assurent Secure Technologies, a TELUS company

9. References

  CVE: 
  Vendor: Novell - (Bug 446342)

10. About Assurent VRS

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