Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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ReconObtain Kerberos ticket or LDAP credential
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DeliveryConnect to ns-slapd LDAP port
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ExploitComplete SASL bind with SSF>0
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InstallSend packet with length prefix 0xFFFFFFFC
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C2Trigger integer overflow in sasl_io_start_packet
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ExecuteCorrupt ns-slapd heap with ~2MB payload
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ImpactCrash service or execute code as directory account
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Integer overflow checks
MITRE ATT&CK
1 technique across 1 tactic: Execution The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | Attacker must (1) reach a directory server's LDAP/LDAPS port over the network, (2) complete a successful SASL bind that negotiates a security layer with SSF > 0 (integrity or confidentiality, typically GSSAPI/Kerberos or DIGEST-MD5), and (3) send a crafted SASL packet whose 32-bit length prefix is 0xFFFFFFFC to trigger the wraparound in sasl_io_start_packet. The PR:L requirement is sharply lowered in FreeIPA and Red Hat Identity Management deployments because any domain user with a valid Kerberos ticket, any enrolled host's keytab, or any service principal satisfies the SASL-bind prerequisite - so in IdM realms this is effectively any authenticated identity. Limiting factors: a plain anonymous or simple-bind LDAP exposure without SASL+SSF is not exploitable through this path, and standalone directory servers that only permit simple binds or SASL EXTERNAL without an integrity layer would not reach the vulnerable code. |
| Impact | The CVSS 3.1 vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H combined with confirmed RCE potential and a high-value target (the directory service that backs Kerberos/LDAP authentication) makes this a genuine priority for any environment running 389-ds, RHDS, FreeIPA, or RH IdM. PR:L is the key gating factor - exploitation requires a successful SASL bind with SSF > 0, so this is not a fully unauthenticated internet flaw, but in IdM/FreeIPA realms the bar is dramatically lower because any domain user, enrolled host keytab, or service principal already holds a Kerberos ticket that satisfies the prerequisite. Neither EPSS nor CISA KEV data was supplied in the input, and no public PoC is referenced; absence of a KEV listing should not be read as low risk given how easy authenticated access is in Kerberos-integrated deployments. The C:L/I:L scoring is conservative for a heap overflow that the description explicitly states can yield RCE - defenders should treat the worst-case (process compromise of the ns-slapd service running with directory privileges) as plausible rather than relying solely on the partial-impact CVSS sub-scores. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker with any valid Kerberos credential in a FreeIPA/IdM realm - for example a low-privileged domain user, a stolen host keytab, or a compromised service account - opens an LDAP connection to a directory replica, completes a GSSAPI SASL bind negotiating integrity protection, then sends a SASL-framed message whose 4-byte length prefix is 0xFFFFFFFC. The integer overflow in sasl_io_start_packet allocates a near-zero buffer that is then filled with roughly 2 MB of attacker-controlled bytes, corrupting the ns-slapd heap to either crash the directory (denial of service that takes down authentication for the whole realm) or, with appropriate heap grooming, achieve remote code execution as the directory service account. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Jun 11, 2026
Heap buffer overflow in 389 Directory Server (389-ds-base) SASL I/O layer allows authenticated remote attackers to crash the LDAP service or achieve remote code execution after a successful SASL bind with integrity protection (SSF > 0). The flaw stems from an integer overflow in sasl_io_start_packet() that bypasses the nsslapd-maxsasliosize ceiling, enabling roughly 2 MB of attacker-controlled heap corruption. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, and the impact is amplified in FreeIPA and Red Hat Identity Management deployments where any enrolled user, host, or service principal qualifies as an authenticated attacker.
RemediationAI
No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis from the supplied references; monitor https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-11774 and the linked Bugzilla 2484916 for fixed package versions (389-ds-base for RHEL 8/9/10 and redhat-ds for RHDS 11/12/13) and apply them as soon as they ship, prioritizing IdM/FreeIPA replicas. Until a patch is available, the most direct compensating control is to restrict SASL bind exposure - lower nsslapd-maxsasliosize toward the smallest value compatible with your largest legitimate SASL message (note this only narrows, not eliminates, the overflow window because the overflow bypasses the check entirely) and front the LDAP/LDAPS ports (389/636/3268/3269) with host firewall rules that allow only trusted client subnets and replication peers, accepting that IdM clients still need access. Where feasible, disable SASL mechanisms that negotiate integrity or confidentiality (SSF > 0) on edge replicas, but be aware this breaks GSSAPI/Kerberos binds and will disrupt FreeIPA enrollment, kinit-based logins, and replication, so it is realistic only for read-only consumer instances. Increase monitoring of ns-slapd for unexpected crashes or restarts and audit Kerberos principal issuance to limit the population of attackers who can complete a SASL bind.
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Technical ContextAI · show details
389 Directory Server is the upstream LDAP implementation behind Red Hat Directory Server and the identity backbone of FreeIPA / Red Hat Identity Management. The bug lives in the SASL framing code (sasl_io.c, function sasl_io_start_packet) that reads the 4-byte length prefix preceding each SASL-wrapped LDAP message. The implementation adds sizeof(uint32_t) (4) to the attacker-supplied length to allocate a receive buffer; a crafted prefix of 0xFFFFFFFC wraps the unsigned 32-bit addition to 0, defeating the nsslapd-maxsasliosize sanity check and causing a vastly undersized allocation that is then filled with up to ~2 MB of attacker bytes - a textbook CWE-190 integer overflow leading to a heap buffer overflow. The advisory explicitly notes this is a distinct code path from CVE-2025-14905, which only repaired schema.c and left sasl_io.c untouched. CPE data covers Red Hat Directory Server 11/12/13 and the 389-ds-base packages shipped in RHEL 6 through 10.
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H
Network-reachable LDAP (AV:N), deterministic overflow trigger (AC:L), requires a successful SASL bind so PR:L; RCE potential gives some C/I impact but reliable outcome is service crash, hence A:H with C:L/I:L.
Primary rating from Vendor (redhat).
CVSS VectorVendor: redhat
DescriptionCVE.org
An integer overflow flaw was found in the SASL I/O layer of 389 Directory Server (389-ds-base). In sasl_io_start_packet(), adding sizeof(uint32_t) to a crafted SASL packet length prefix of 0xFFFFFFFC causes unsigned wraparound to zero, bypassing the nsslapd-maxsasliosize limit and leading to a heap buffer overflow of up to approximately 2 megabytes of attacker-controlled data. After a successful SASL bind with integrity protection (SSF > 0), a remote attacker can cause a Denial of Service (DoS) or achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE). In FreeIPA and Red Hat Identity Management deployments, any domain user with a valid Kerberos ticket, enrolled host, or service account can trigger this vulnerability over the network. This flaw is independent of CVE-2025-14905, which patched schema.c only and did not modify sasl_io.c.
Executive ViewAI
A vulnerability in 389 Directory Server permits authenticated users to execute arbitrary code or crash the LDAP service, directly compromising directory availability and identity management in FreeIPA and Red Hat Identity Management environments. Any enrolled user, host, or service principal can trigger the flaw post-authentication, creating broad attack surface within core authentication infrastructure.
Restrict LDAP service network exposure to internal trusted networks; implement mandatory audit logging and alerting on SASL bind failures and service crashes; enforce strict controls on directory enrollment to limit authenticated attacker population; maintain frequent encrypted backups of directory state; deploy network-based intrusion detection tuned for abnormal LDAP traffic patterns.
Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions.
Integer overflow occurs when an arithmetic operation produces a result that exceeds the maximum value a given integer type can store.
Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.
Denial of Service attacks render applications or systems unavailable by overwhelming resources or triggering failure conditions.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
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View allVendor StatusVendor
SUSE
Severity: Important| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP7 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Server Applications 15 SP7 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP7 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.1 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP7 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications 16.0 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications 16.1 | Affected |
| openSUSE Leap 16.0 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Server Applications 15 SP4 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Server Applications 15 SP5 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Server Applications 15 SP6 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP5 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP5-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP6 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Proxy LTS 4.3 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.3 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server LTS 4.3 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Server LTS 4.3 | Affected |
| SUSE CaaS Platform 4.0 | Affected |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 6 | Affected |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7 | Affected |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7.1 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1-ESPOS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2-ESPOS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3-ESPOS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4-ESPOS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5-ESPOS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP6 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Server Applications 15 SP1 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Server Applications 15 SP2 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Server Applications 15 SP3 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP2 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP3 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP4 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1-BCL | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2-BCL | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3-BCL | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3-LTSS | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP1 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP2 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP3 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP4 | Affected |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP5 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.0 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.1 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.2 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.0 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.1 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.2 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.0 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.1 | Affected |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.2 | Affected |
| openSUSE Leap 15.3 | Affected |
| openSUSE Leap 15.4 | Affected |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | Affected |
| openSUSE Leap 15.6 | Affected |
| suse/389-ds | Affected |
EUVD-2026-36293
GHSA-6mrg-rm5v-2c3q
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Vulnrichment
VulDB
Exploit-DB