ZDI-06-036: Novell Netmail User Authentication Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

ZDI-06-036: Novell Netmail User Authentication Buffer Overflow
Vulnerability
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-06-036.html
October 31, 2006

– CVE ID:
CVE-2006-5478

– Affected Vendor:
Novell

– Affected Products:
Netmail 3.5.2
Novell eDirectory 8.8.1

– TippingPoint(TM) IPS Customer Protection:
TippingPoint IPS customers have been protected against this
vulnerability since October 31, 2006 by Digital Vaccine protection
filter ID 4693. For further product information on the TippingPoint IPS:

http://www.tippingpoint.com 

– Vulnerability Details:
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on
vulnerable installations of Novell Netmail. Exploitation does not
require authentication.

The specific flaw exists within the user authentication component of
Novell Netmail. The routine responsible for authenticating Netmail
users lacks adequate bounds checking when processing a username
containing one or more period (.) characters. The affected code is
reused by several Netmail services including SMTP, POP, IMAP, HTTP and
the proprietary NMAP. Each of these services is vulnerable to an
exploitable stack-based buffer overflow.

– Vendor Response:
Novell has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details
can be found at:

http://www.novell.com/support/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=3723994&sliceId=SAL_Public&dialogID=16776123&stateId=1%200%202648401

– Disclosure Timeline:
2006.09.08 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
2006.10.31 - Digital Vaccine released to TippingPoint customers
2006.10.31 - Public release of advisory

– Credit:
This vulnerability was discovered by an anonymous researcher.

– About the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI):
Established by TippingPoint, a division of 3Com, 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.
3Com does not re-sell the vulnerability details or any exploit code.
Instead, upon notifying the affected product vendor, 3Com 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, 3Com provides this vulnerability
information confidentially to security vendors (including competitors)
who have a vulnerability protection or mitigation product.