CVE-2002-1578 in SAP
Summary
by MITRE
The default installation of SAP R/3, when using Oracle and SQL*net V2 3.x, 4.x, and 6.10, allows remote attackers to obtain arbitrary, sensitive SAP data by directly connecting to the Oracle database and executing queries against the database, which is not password-protected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1578 represents a critical security flaw in SAP R/3 systems that was prevalent during the early 2000s era. This issue specifically affects organizations running SAP R/3 with Oracle database backends and SQL*Net versions 3.x, 4.x, and 6.10. The core problem stems from the default installation configuration where database access controls are insufficiently implemented, creating an attack vector that allows unauthorized remote access to sensitive enterprise data. The vulnerability operates at the database layer rather than the application layer, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses typical SAP application security mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests through the lack of proper authentication and authorization controls within the Oracle database connections. When SAP R/3 systems are installed with default settings, the underlying Oracle database instances often remain accessible without proper password protection mechanisms. This creates an environment where remote attackers can directly connect to the Oracle database using SQL*Net protocols without requiring valid SAP credentials. The vulnerability is classified as a weak authentication issue under CWE-287, specifically related to improper handling of authentication tokens and access controls. Attackers can exploit this by crafting database queries that directly access SAP tables and schemas, potentially extracting sensitive information including financial data, customer records, employee information, and other proprietary business data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for affected organizations. Remote attackers can perform unauthorized data extraction, modification, or deletion operations against the SAP database without detection, potentially leading to data breaches, financial loss, and regulatory compliance violations. The attack surface is particularly wide since the vulnerability affects multiple versions of SQL*Net, meaning organizations with various SAP installations across their enterprise could be impacted. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers would typically discover and exploit this weakness through network reconnaissance activities. The consequences extend beyond immediate data theft to include potential business disruption, regulatory penalties under data protection laws, and damage to organizational reputation.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves strengthening database access controls by implementing proper password protection for Oracle database connections and disabling unnecessary database access points. SAP customers must configure the Oracle database to require authentication for all database connections and ensure that SQL*Net is properly secured with appropriate network access controls. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate database servers from general network access, and organizations should regularly audit their SAP installations to verify that default configurations have been properly hardened. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and logging mechanisms can help detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices outlined in standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST SP 800-53, particularly in areas related to access control and network security. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations that could create analogous attack vectors within the enterprise infrastructure.