ZDI-10-073: Sun Microsystems Directory Server DSML-over-HTTP Username Search Denial of Service Vulnerability
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-10-073
April 13, 2010

-- CVE ID:
CVE-2010-0897

-- Affected Vendors:
Sun Microsystems

-- Affected Products:
Sun Microsystems Directory Server

-- TippingPoint(TM) IPS Customer Protection:
TippingPoint IPS customers have been protected against this
vulnerability by Digital Vaccine protection filter ID 9402. 
For further product information on the TippingPoint IPS, visit:

    http://www.tippingpoint.com

-- Vulnerability Details:
This vulnerability allows attackers to deny services on vulnerable
installations of Sun Microsystems Directory Service Manager.
Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within Sun Directory Server's DSML-over-HTTP
implementation and can be triggered via an HTTP POST request to the
webserver that the application has bound to. When the service processes
a search request with a malformed username, the application will
dereference a null pointer causing any future queries made against the
webserver to fail. This will lead to a denial of service against the
affected service.


-- Vendor Response:
Sun Microsystems has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More
details can be found at:

http://www.oracle.com/technology/deploy/security/critical-patch-updates/cpuapr2010.html

-- Disclosure Timeline:
2009-10-27 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
2010-04-13 - Coordinated public release of advisory

-- Credit:
This vulnerability was discovered by:
    * Anonymous

-- About the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI):
Established by TippingPoint, The Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) represents 
a best-of-breed model for rewarding security researchers for responsibly
disclosing discovered vulnerabilities.

Researchers interested in getting paid for their security research
through the ZDI can find more information and sign-up at:

    http://www.zerodayinitiative.com

The ZDI is unique in how the acquired vulnerability information is
used. TippingPoint does not re-sell the vulnerability details or any
exploit code. Instead, upon notifying the affected product vendor,
TippingPoint provides its customers with zero day protection through
its intrusion prevention technology. Explicit details regarding the
specifics of the vulnerability are not exposed to any parties until
an official vendor patch is publicly available. Furthermore, with the
altruistic aim of helping to secure a broader user base, TippingPoint
provides this vulnerability information confidentially to security
vendors (including competitors) who have a vulnerability protection or
mitigation product.

Our vulnerability disclosure policy is available online at:

    http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/disclosure_policy/

Follow the ZDI on Twitter:

    http://twitter.com/thezdi