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Title:      Authentication Flaw in Microsoft Metadirectory Services 
            Could Allow Privilege Elevation (Q317138)
Date:       24 July 2002
Software:   Microsoft Metadirectory Services 2.2
Impact:     Elevation of privilege
Max Risk:   Medium
Bulletin:   MS02-036

Microsoft encourages customers to review the Security Bulletin at: 
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-036.asp.
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Issue:
======
Microsoft Metadirectory Services (MMS) is a centralized metadirectory
service that provides connectivity, management, and interoperability
functions to help unify fragmented directory and database
environments. It enables enterprises to link together disparate data
repositories such as Exchange directory, Active Directory,
third-party directory services, and proprietary databases, for the
purpose of ensuring that the data in each is consistent, accurate,
and can be centrally managed. 

A flaw exists that could enable an unprivileged user to access and
manipulate data within MMS that should, by design, only be 
accessible to MMS administrators. Specifically, it is possible for
an unprivileged user to connect to the MMS data repository via an
LDAP client in such a way as to bypass certain security checks.
This could enable an attacker to modify data within the MMS data
repository, either for the purpose of changing the MMS
configuration or replicating bogus data to the other data
repositories.

Mitigating Factors:
====================
 - If normal security practices have been followed, the 
   vulnerability could not be exploited from the Internet.

 - The vulnerability could only be exploited by an attacker who had
   significant technical expertise at a protocol level. The 
   vulnerability does not provide access to MMS itself, but rather to
   the MMS data repository. Determining what data to change - and how
   to change it - in order to cause a desired effect could be 
   quite difficult 

 - A successful attack would require a detailed understanding of the 
   specific way MMS had been configured, as well as information about
   all of the other directories and database it was being used to 
   manage. It is likely that the vulnerability could only be 
   exploited by an attacker who had insider knowledge about the 
   enterprise.

Risk Rating:
============
 - Internet systems: Moderate
 - Intranet systems: Moderate
 - Client systems: None

Patch Availability:
===================
 - A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read the 
   Security Bulletin at
   http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms02-036.asp
   for information on obtaining this patch.

Acknowledgment:
===============
 - Pascal Huijbers and Thomas de Klerk of Info Support
   http://www.infosupport.com/ 

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