Local File Inclusion Vulnerability in phpLDAPadmin: Denial of Service Risk
Summary
CVE-2011-4082: A local file inclusion flaw was found in the way the phpLDAPadmin before 0.9.8 processed certain values of the "Accept-Language" HTTP header. Affects phpldapadmin versions < 0.9.8-1. Fixed in 0.9.8-1. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
phpLDAPadmin is a web-based application used for managing LDAP directories. It provides a user-friendly interface for administrators to perform various operations on LDAP entries. The application is widely used in environments where LDAP is employed for user authentication and directory services. However, prior to version 0.9.8, phpLDAPadmin was susceptible to a local file inclusion vulnerability that could be exploited through crafted HTTP requests.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4082 arises from improper handling of the 'Accept-Language' HTTP header in phpLDAPadmin versions before 0.9.8. An attacker can exploit this flaw by sending specially-crafted requests that may lead to a denial of service condition. This occurs because the application may attempt to include local files based on the manipulated header values, potentially causing unexpected behavior or crashes. The severity of this vulnerability is reflected in its CVSS score of 7.5, indicating a high risk to affected systems.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
0.9.8-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade phpldapadmin
Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, consider implementing a temporary workaround by restricting access to the phpLDAPadmin interface through firewall rules or by limiting access to trusted IP addresses. Additionally, you can monitor the application logs for any suspicious activity related to the 'Accept-Language' header.
Conclusion
CVE-2011-4082 represents a significant risk to users of phpLDAPadmin prior to version 0.9.8, due to its potential for causing denial of service through local file inclusion. It is crucial for administrators to upgrade their installations to the latest version to mitigate this risk. For those unable to upgrade immediately, implementing access restrictions and monitoring can provide temporary relief.
See every vulnerability recorded for phpldapadmin →
FAQ
CVE-2011-4082 is a vulnerability in phpLDAPadmin that allows for local file inclusion through the manipulation of the 'Accept-Language' HTTP header, potentially leading to a denial of service.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a denial of service, making the phpLDAPadmin application unresponsive and affecting the management of LDAP directories.
Yes, you can restrict access to the phpLDAPadmin interface and monitor logs for suspicious activity as a temporary measure until an upgrade can be performed.
The CVSS score for CVE-2011-4082 is 7.5, indicating a high severity level that requires prompt attention.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for phpldapadmin.