CVE-2002-1576 in SAP
Summary
by MITRE
lserver in SAP DB 7.3 and earlier uses the current working directory to find and execute the lserversrv program, which allows local users to gain privileges with a malicious lserversrv that is called from a directory that has a symlink to the lserver program.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1576 affects SAP DB 7.3 and earlier versions where the lserver component operates with insecure directory handling practices. This flaw stems from the lserver program's reliance on the current working directory to locate and execute the lserversrv binary, creating a path traversal and privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a malicious lserversrv binary is placed in a directory that contains a symbolic link pointing to the legitimate lserver program, allowing unauthorized privilege elevation through manipulation of the execution environment.
This security weakness represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The issue occurs because the system does not properly validate or sanitize the execution path of the lserversrv program, instead trusting the current working directory context. Attackers can exploit this by creating a symbolic link in a directory they control, pointing to the lserver executable, and then placing their malicious lserversrv binary in the same directory. When the lserver program executes, it follows the symbolic link and executes the attacker-controlled binary with elevated privileges, typically those of the SAP DB service account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides local attackers with privilege escalation capabilities within the SAP database environment. Since SAP DB typically runs with elevated privileges to manage database operations, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information, modify database contents, or potentially escalate to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems where the lserver component is active and where local users have the ability to create symbolic links or manipulate directory structures, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege separation is critical.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1576 should focus on addressing the root cause through proper path resolution and privilege management. Organizations should immediately upgrade to SAP DB versions that have patched this vulnerability, as the original versions are no longer supported and contain multiple security weaknesses. System administrators should implement strict directory permissions and ensure that the lserver program does not execute binaries from user-controllable directories. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the SAP DB service with minimal required permissions and by implementing proper file system access controls to prevent unauthorized symbolic link creation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious symbolic link creation patterns and unauthorized binary execution from unexpected directories to identify potential exploitation attempts.