ISO/IEC 9594-3:2017

Information technology — Open Systems Interconnection — The Directory — Part 3: Abstract service definition

ISO/IEC 9594-3:2017 defines in an abstract way the externally visible service provided by the Directory. ISO/IEC 9594-3:2017 does not specify individual implementations or products.

Technologies de l'information — Interconnexion de systèmes ouverts (OSI) — L'annuaire — Partie 3: Définition du service abstrait

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 04-May-2017
• Withdrawal Date: 04-May-2017
• ICS: 35.100.70 - Application layer
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 6 - Telecommunications and information exchange between systems
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 6 - Telecommunications and information exchange between systems
• Current Stage: 9599 - Withdrawal of International Standard
• Completion Date: 01-Dec-2020

Relations

• Revised: ISO/IEC 9594-3:2020 - Information technology — Open systems interconnection — Part 3: The Directory: Abstract service definition
• Effective Date: 23-Apr-2020
• Revises: ISO/IEC 9594-3:2014 - Information technology — Open Systems Interconnection — The Directory — Part 3: Abstract service definition
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2016

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 9594-3
Eighth edition
2017-05
Information technology — Open
Systems Interconnection — The
Directory —
Part 3:
Abstract service definition
Technologies de l’information — Interconnexion de systèmes ouverts
(OSI) — L’annuaire —
Partie 3: Définition du service abstrait
Reference number
ISO/IEC 9594-3:2017(E)
©
ISO/IEC 2017

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 9594-3:2017(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO/IEC 2017, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.iso.org
ii © ISO/IEC 2017 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 9594-3:2017(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are
members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical
committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical
activity. ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other
international organizations, governmental and non‐governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also
take part in the work. In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint
technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for
the different types of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject
of patent rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the
Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does
not constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This eighth edition cancels and replaces the seventh edition (ISO/IEC 9594‐3:2014), which
has been technically revised.
This document was prepared by ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, SC 6, Telecommunications
and information exchange between systems, in collaboration with ITU‐T. The identical text is
published as ITU‐T X.511 (10/2016).
A list of all parts in the ISO/IEC 9594 series, published under the general title Information technology
— Open Systems Interconnection — The Directory, can be found on the ISO website.
© ISO/IEC 2017 – All rights reserved ii-1

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
CONTENTS
Page
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references. 1
2.1 Identical Recommendations | International Standards . 1
2.2 Other references . 2
3 Definitions . 2
3.1 OSI Reference Model security architecture definitions. 2
3.2 Basic Directory definitions . 2
3.3 Directory model definitions . 2
3.4 Directory information base definitions . 2
3.5 Directory entry definitions . 2
3.6 Name definitions . 3
3.7 Distributed operations definitions . 3
3.8 Abstract service definitions . 3
4 Abbreviations . 4
5 Conventions . 4
6 Overview of the Directory service . 5
7 Information types and common procedures . 5
7.1 Introduction . 5
7.2 Information types defined elsewhere . 5
7.3 Common arguments . 6
7.4 Common results . 9
7.5 Service controls . 10
7.6 Entry information selection . 12
7.7 Entry information . 15
7.8 Filter . 17
7.9 Paged results. 20
7.10 Security parameters . 22
7.11 Common elements of procedure for access control . 23
7.12 Managing the DSA Information Tree . 25
7.13 Procedures for families of entries . 25
8 Directory authentication . 26
8.1 Simple authentication procedure . 26
8.2 Password policy . 28
9 Bind, Unbind operations, Change Password and Administer Password operations . 31
9.1 Directory Bind . 31
9.2 Directory Unbind . 34
10 Directory Read operations . 34
10.1 Read . 34
10.2 Compare . 37
10.3 Abandon . 40
11 Directory Search operations . 40
11.1 List . 40
11.2 Search . 44
12 Directory Modify operations . 54
12.1 Add Entry . 55
12.2 Remove Entry. 57
12.3 Modify Entry . 58
12.4 Modify DN . 62
12.5 Change Password . 65
12.6 Administer Password. 65

 Rec. ITU-T X.511 (10/2016) iii

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
Page
13 Operations for LDAP messages . 66
13.1 LDAP Transport operation . 67
13.2 Linked LDAP operation . 69
14 Errors . 69
14.1 Error precedence . 69
14.2 Abandoned . 70
14.3 Abandon Failed . 70
14.4 Attribute Error . 71
14.5 Name Error . 72
14.6 Referral . 73
14.7 Security Error . 73
14.8 Service Error . 74
14.9 Update Error . 76
15 Analysis of search arguments . 77
15.1 General check of search filter . 78
15.2 Check of request-attribute-profiles . 79
15.3 Check of controls and hierarchy selections . 80
15.4 Check of matching use . 81
Annex A – Abstract Service in ASN.1 . 82
Annex B – Operational semantics for Basic Access Control . 98
Annex C – Examples of searching families of entries . 111
C.1 Single family example . 111
C.2 Multiple families example . 112
Annex D – External ASN.1 module . 115
Annex E – Use of Protected Passwords for Bind operations . 119
Annex F – Amendments and corrigenda . 120


iv Rec. ITU-T X.511 (10/2016)

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
Introduction
This Recommendation | International Standard, together with the other Recommendations | International Standards, has
been produced to facilitate the interconnection of information processing systems to provide directory services. A set of
such systems, together with the directory information that they hold, can be viewed as an integrated whole, called the
Directory. The information held by the Directory, collectively known as the Directory Information Base (DIB), is
typically used to facilitate communication between, with or about objects such as application entities, people, terminals,
and distribution lists.
The Directory plays a significant role in Open Systems Interconnection, whose aim is to allow, with a minimum of
technical agreement outside of the interconnection standards themselves, the interconnection of information processing
systems:
– from different manufacturers;
– under different managements;
– of different levels of complexity; and
– of different ages.
This Recommendation | International Standard defines the capabilities provided by the Directory to its users.
This Recommendation | International Standard provides the foundation frameworks upon which industry profiles can be
defined by other standards groups and industry forums. Many of the features defined as optional in these frameworks may
be mandated for use in certain environments through profiles. This eighth edition technically revises and enhances the
seventh edition of this Recommendation | International Standard.
This eighth edition specifies versions 1 and 2 of the Directory protocols.
The first and second editions specified only version 1. Most of the services and protocols specified in this edition are
designed to function under version 1. However, some enhanced services and protocols, e.g., signed errors, will not
function unless all Directory entities involved in the operation have negotiated version 2. Whichever version has been
negotiated, differences between the services and between the protocols defined in the eight editions, except for those
specifically assigned to version 2, are accommodated using the rules of extensibility defined in Rec. ITU-T X.519 |
ISO/IEC 9594-5.
Annex A, which is an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, provides the ASN.1 module for the
Directory abstract service.
Annex B, which is not an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, provides charts that describe the
semantics associated with Basic Access Control as it applies to the processing of a Directory operation.
Annex C, which is not an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, gives examples of the use of
families of entries.
Annex D, which is not an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, includes an updated copy of an
external ASN.1 module referenced by this Directory Specification.
Annex E, which is not an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, provides a suggested technique
for Bind protected password.
Annex F, which is not an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, lists the amendments and defect
reports that have been incorporated to form this edition of this Recommendation | International Standard.



 Rec. ITU-T X.511 (10/2016) v

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 9594-3:2017 (E)
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
ITU-T RECOMMENDATION
Information technology – Open Systems Interconnection – The Directory:
Abstract service definition
1 Scope
This Recommendation | International Standard defines in an abstract way the externally visible service provided by the
Directory.
This Recommendation | International Standard does not specify individual implementations or products.
2 Normative references
The following Recommendations and International Standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this Recommendation | International Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated
were valid. All Recommendations and Standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this
Recommendation | International Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent edition
of the Recommendations and Standards listed below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently valid
International Standards. The Telecommunication Standardization Bureau of the ITU maintains a list of currently valid
ITU-T Recommendations.
2.1 Identical Recommendations | International Standards
– Recommendation ITU-T X.500 (2016) | ISO/IEC 9594-1:2017, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Overview of concepts, models and services.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.501 (2016) | ISO/IEC 9594-2:2017, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Models.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.509 (2016) | ISO/IEC 9594-8:2017, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Public-key and attribute certificate frameworks.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.518 (2016) | ISO/IEC 9594-4:2017, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Procedures for distributed operation.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.519 (2016) | ISO/IEC 9594-5:2017, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Protocol specifications.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.520 (2016) | ISO/IEC 9594-6:2017, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Selected attribute types.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.521 (2016) | ISO/IEC 9594-7:2017, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Selected object classes.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.525 (2016) | ISO/IEC 9594-9:2017, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Replication.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.680 (2015) | ISO/IEC 8824-1:2015, Information technology – Abstract Syntax
Notation One (ASN.1): Specification of basic notation.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.681 (2015) | ISO/IEC 8824-2:2015, Information technology – Abstract Syntax
Notation One (ASN.1): Information object specification.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.682 (2015) | ISO/IEC 8824-3:2015, Information technology – Abstract Syntax
Notation One (ASN.1): Constraint specification.
– Recommendation ITU-T X.683 (2015) | ISO/IEC 8824-4:2015, Information technology – Abstract Syntax
Notation One (ASN.1): Parameterization of ASN.1 specifications.
2.2 Paired Recommendations | International Standards equivalent in technical content
– Recommendation ITU-T X.800 (1991), Security architecture for Open Systems Interconnection for CCITT
applications.
ISO 7498-2:1989, Information processing systems – Open Systems Interconnection – Basic Reference
Model – Part 2: Security Architecture.
 Rec. ITU-T X.511 (10/2016) 1

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 9594-3:2017 (E)
2.3 Additional references
– Recommendation ITU-T X.200 (1994) | ISO/IEC 7498-1:1994, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – Basic Reference Model: The basic model.
– IETF RFC 2025 (1996), The Simple Public-Key GSS-API Mechanism (SPKM).
– IETF RFC 4422 (2006), Simple Authentication and Security Layer (SASL).
– IETF RFC 4511 (2006), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP): The Protocol.
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this Recommendation | International Standard, the following definitions apply.
3.1 OSI Reference Model security architecture definitions
The following terms are defined in Rec. ITU-T X.800 | ISO 7498-2:
a) password.
3.2 Basic Directory definitions
The following terms are defined in Rec. ITU-T X.500 | ISO/IEC 9594-1:
a) Directory;
b) Directory Information Base;
c) (Directory) User.
3.3 Directory model definitions
The following terms are defined in Rec. ITU-T X.501 | ISO/IEC 9594-2:
a) Directory System Agent;
b) Directory User Agent.
3.4 Directory information base definitions
The following terms are defined in Rec. ITU-T X.501 | ISO/IEC 9594-2:
a) alias entry;
b) ancestor;
c) compound entry;
d) (Directory) entry;
e) Directory Information Tree;
f) family (of entries);
g) immediate superior;
h) immediately superior entry/object;
i) object;
j) object class;
k) object entry;
l) subordinate;
m) superior.
3.5 Directory entry definitions
The following terms are defined in Rec. ITU-T X.501 | ISO/IEC 9594-2:
a) attribute;
b) attribute type;
c) attribute value;
2 Rec. ITU-T X.511 (10/2016)

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 9594-3:2017 (E)
d) attribute value assertion;
e) context;
f) context type;
g) context value;
h) operational attribute;
i) matching rule;
j) user attribute.
3.6 Name definitions
The following terms are defined in Rec. ITU-T X.501 | ISO/IEC 9594-2:
a) alias, alias name;
b) distinguished name;
c) (directory) name;
d) purported name;
e) relative distinguished name.
3.7 Distributed operations definitions
The following terms are defined in Rec. ITU-T X.518 | ISO/IEC 9594-4:
a) bound DSA;
b) chaining;
c) initial performer;
d) LDAP requester;
e) referral.
3.8 Abstract service definitions
For the purposes of this Recommendation | International Standard, the following definitions apply.
3.8.1 additional search: A search that starts from joinBaseObject as specified by the originator in the search
request.
3.8.2 contributing member: A family member within a compound entry, which has made a contribution to either a
Read, Search or Modify Entry operation.
3.8.3 explicitly unmarked entry: An entry or a family member that is excluded from the SearchResult according
to a specification given in a control attribute referenced by the governing-search-rule.
3.8.4 family grouping: A set of members of a compound attribute that are grouped together for the purpose of
operation evaluation.
3.8.5 filter: An assertion about the presence or value of certain attributes of an entry in order to limit the scope of a
search.
3.8.6 originator: The user that originated an operation.
3.8.7 participating member: A family member that is either a contributing member or is a member of a family
grouping that as a whole matched a search filter.
3.8.8 Password expiration: The situation where a user password has reached the end of its validity period: the
account is locked and the user has to change the password before doing any other directory operation.
3.8.9 Password quality attributes: Attributes that specify how a password shall be constructed. Password quality
attributes include things like minimum length, mixture of characters (uppercase, lowercase, figures, punctuations, etc),
and avoidance of trivial passwords.
3.8.10 Password history: List of old passwords and the times they were inserted in the history.
3.8.11 primary search: The search that starts from baseObject as specified by the originator in the search request.
 Rec. ITU-T X.511 (10/2016) 3

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 9594-3:2017 (E)
3.8.12 relaxation: A progressive modification of the behaviour of a filter during a search operation so as to achieve
more matched entries if too few are received, or fewer matched entries if too many are received.
3.8.13 reply: A DAP/DSP result or an error; or an LDAP result.
3.8.14 request: Information consisting of an operation code and associated arguments to convey a directory operation
from a requester to a performer.
3.8.15 requester: A DUA, an LDAP client or a DSA sending a request to perform (i.e., invoke) an operation.
3.8.16 service controls: Parameters conveyed as part of an operation, which constrain various aspects of its
performance.
3.8.17 strand: A family grouping comprising all the members in a path from a leaf family member up to the ancestor
inclusive. A family member will reside in as many strands as there are leaf family members below it (as immediate or
non-immediate subordinates).
4 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this Recommendation | International Standard, the following abbreviations apply:
ACI Access Control Information
AVA Attribute Value Assertion
DIB Directory Information Base
DIT Directory Information Tree
DMD Directory Management Domain
DSA Directory System Agent
DUA Directory User Agent
LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
RDN Relative Distinguished Name
5 Conventions
The term "Directory Specification" (as in "this Directory Specification") shall be taken to mean Rec. ITU-T X.511 |
ISO/IEC 9594-3. The term "Directory Specifications" shall be taken to mean the X.500-series Recommendations, except
for Rec. ITU-T X.509 and all parts of ISO/IEC 9594, except for ISO/IEC 9594-8.
This Directory Specification uses the term first edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the first edition of the
Directory Specifications, i.e., the 1988 edition of the series of CCITT X.500 Recommendations and the
ISO/IEC 9594:1990 edition.
This Directory Specification uses the term second edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the second edition of
the Directory Specifications, i.e., the 1993 edition of the series of ITU-T X.500 Recommendations and the
ISO/IEC 9594:1995 edition.
This Directory Specification uses the term third edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the third edition of the
Directory Specifications, i.e., the 1997 edition of the series of ITU-T X.500 Recommendations and the
ISO/IEC 9594:1998 edition.
This Directory Specification uses the term fourth edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the fourth edition of
the Directory Specifications, i.e., the 2001 editions of Recs ITU-T X.500, X.501, X.511, X.518, X.519, X.520, X.521,
X.525, and X.530, the 2000 edition of Rec. ITU-T X.509, and parts 1-10 of the ISO/IEC 9594:2001 edition.
This Directory Specification uses the term fifth edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the fifth edition of the
Directory Specifications, i.e., the 2005 edition of the series of ITU-T X.500 Recommendations and the
ISO/IEC 9594:2005 edition.
This Directory Specification u
...