Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-036

From Microsoft:

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.