Novell GroupWise Messenger nmma.exe DoS Vulnerability

iDefense Security Advisory 10.02.06
https://www.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Oct 02, 2006

I. BACKGROUND

Novell Messenger is a corporate, cross-platform instant messaging
product that is based on Novell eDirectory. More information is
available at the following site:

    https://www.novell.com/documentation/nm2/

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a DoS vulnerability in Novell Inc.'s GroupWise
Messenger could allow attackers to crash the Messenger server.

The vulnerability specifically exists due to improper handling of a an
HTTP POST request with a modified 'val' paramater. When such a request
is received, a NULL pointer dereference occurs, leading to a crash of
the service.

III. ANALYSIS

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability would result in the server
crashing, rendering it unusable until it is restarted. Further
exploitation does not appear possible. In order to exploit this
vulnerability, an attacker must send a specially constructed HTTP
request to the server on TCP port 8300.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense has confirmed this vulnerability in Novell GroupWise Messenger
version 2. All previous versions are suspected vulnerable.

V. WORKAROUND

iDefense is currently unaware of any effective workarounds for this
issue.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

Novell has released updates in the form of Hot Patches.  More
information on the security update can be found via the following link.

  https://support.novell.com/filefinder/security/index.html

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2006-4511 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (https://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
security problems.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

08/17/2006  Initial vendor notification
08/18/2006  Initial vendor response
10/02/2006  Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

CIRT.DK is credited with the discovery of this vulnerability.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2006 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
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
this information.