ZDI-09-075: Novell eDirectory LDAP Null Base DN Denial of Service Vulnerability http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-09-075 November 2, 2009 -- Affected Vendors: Novell -- Affected Products: Novell eDirectory -- TippingPoint(TM) IPS Customer Protection: TippingPoint IPS customers have been protected against this vulnerability by Digital Vaccine protection filter ID 9234. 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 Novell eDirectory. Authentication is not required in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within Novell's eDirectory Server's LDAP implementation. Novell eDirectory's NDSD process binds to port 389/TCP for handling LDAP requests. When the service processes a search request with an undefined BaseDN, it will become unresponsive resulting in an inability to query or authenticate to that server. -- Vendor Response: Novell has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at: http://www.novell.com/support/viewContent.do?externalId=7004721 -- Disclosure Timeline: 2009-07-14 - Vulnerability reported to vendor 2009-11-02 - 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/