CVE-2002-1579 in GUI
Summary
by MITRE
SAP GUI (Sapgui) 4.6D allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a connection to a high-numbered port, which generates an "unknown connection data" error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1579 affects SAP GUI version 4.6D, specifically targeting the connection handling mechanism within the SAP GUI client application. This issue represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that exploits improper input validation and error handling within network communication protocols. The vulnerability manifests when the SAP GUI client receives connections on high-numbered ports, which are typically not used for standard SAP communication, creating a scenario where the application fails to properly process these unexpected connection attempts.
The technical flaw lies in the SAP GUI's inability to gracefully handle connections initiated on non-standard port ranges, particularly those in the high-numbered port space. When a remote attacker establishes a connection to these ports, the SAP GUI client encounters what it perceives as "unknown connection data" and fails to process the connection properly. This failure results in the application crashing or becoming unresponsive, effectively rendering the SAP GUI client unavailable for legitimate users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of connection parameters and lacks proper error recovery mechanisms that would allow the application to either reject or properly handle these unexpected connection attempts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant disruption in enterprise environments where SAP GUI clients are extensively used for business-critical applications. The denial of service condition can affect multiple users simultaneously if the attack is orchestrated effectively, potentially causing business interruption and productivity loss. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or privileged access, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt business operations. Organizations relying on SAP GUI for their core business processes face potential financial and operational consequences when this vulnerability is exploited, as the service disruption can cascade across multiple dependent systems and user workflows.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and demonstrates how inadequate error handling can lead to system instability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a denial of service attack pattern that can be categorized under T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations should implement network segmentation to restrict access to SAP GUI ports and consider implementing firewall rules that limit connections to only legitimate SAP communication ports. Additionally, applying the latest SAP patches and updates is crucial, as SAP would have addressed this vulnerability in subsequent releases. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual connection patterns and port scanning activities that might indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, while also implementing proper logging and alerting mechanisms to quickly identify and respond to such incidents.