iDefense Security Advisory 10.03.08
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/ 
Oct 03, 2008

I. BACKGROUND

Novell eDirectory is cross platform directory server. NetWare Core
Protocol, commonly referred to as NCP, is used by eDirectory to
synchronize data between servers in the directory tree. NCP supports
various request types, one of which is the 'Get NCP Extension
Information By Name Request.'

For more information, see the vendor's site found at the following link.

http://www.novell.com/products/edirectory/ 

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a memory corruption vulnerability in Novell
Inc.'s eDirectory could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code
with the privileges of the affected service.

The vulnerability exists due to an area of heap memory being used after
it has already been freed. By sending malformed data it is possible to
cause an area of heap memory to be freed by one thread, and then reused
after another thread allocates the same area of memory. This results in
the original thread operating on the data changed by the second thread,
which may lead to the execution of arbitrary code.

III. ANALYSIS

Exploitation of this vulnerability results in the execution of arbitrary
code with the privileges of the affected service, usually SYSTEM. In
order to trigger this vulnerability, an attacker needs to send a series
of specifically timed requests and have some degree of control of the
memory layout of the process. In Labs testing, it was often difficult
to reliably trigger the vulnerability. While difficult, the possibility
of executing arbitrary code should not be ruled out.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in eDirectory
version 8.8 SP2 for Windows. The Linux version does not appear to be
affected. Previous versions may also be affected.

V. WORKAROUND

iDefense is currently unaware of any workarounds for this issue.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

Novell has released a patch for this vulnerability and advises that all
users of Novell eDirectory should update.

http://support.novell.com/docs/Readmes/InfoDocument/patchbuilder/readme_5037180.html 
http://support.novell.com/docs/Readmes/InfoDocument/patchbuilder/readme_5037181.html 

VII. CVE INFORMATION

A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not
been assigned yet.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

03/10/2008  Initial vendor notification
03/14/2008  Initial vendor reply
10/03/2008  Public Disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright =A9 2008 iDefense, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
  There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
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