CVE-2021-27212 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

OpenLDAP through 2.4.57 and 2.5.x through 2.5.1alpha are affected by an assertion failure in slapd, leading to a denial of service via a crafted packet. This is related to schema_init.c and checkTime.

Understanding CVE-2021-27212

This CVE affects OpenLDAP versions through 2.4.57 and 2.5.x through 2.5.1alpha due to an assertion failure in slapd.

What is CVE-2021-27212?

In OpenLDAP through certain versions, an assertion failure in slapd can lead to a denial of service via a crafted packet.

The Impact of CVE-2021-27212

The vulnerability can result in a denial of service (daemon exit) by exploiting certain functions within OpenLDAP.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-27212

This section details the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an assertion failure in slapd via a crafted packet.

Affected Systems and Versions

OpenLDAP through 2.4.57 and 2.5.x through 2.5.1alpha are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit occurs in the issuerAndThisUpdateCheck function due to a short timestamp in the crafted packet.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-27212, immediate steps can be taken along with long-term security practices and patching.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenLDAP to the latest secure version and apply relevant security patches to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and monitor OpenLDAP installations, conduct security audits, and follow best practices for LDAP configuration.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches released by OpenLDAP to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.