CVE-2003-0942 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Web Agent Administration service in web-tools for SAP DB before 7.4.03.30 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long Name parameter to waadmin.wa.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0942 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Web Agent Administration service component of SAP DB web-tools prior to version 7.4.03.30. This security weakness resides in the waadmin.wa module which handles administrative functions for web agents, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. The flaw specifically manifests when processing a Name parameter that exceeds the allocated buffer size, creating conditions where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially redirect program execution. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which classifies buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond the allocated memory region.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web agent administration service receiving input through the Name parameter without adequate input validation or size constraints. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious request containing an excessively long Name parameter, the service fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This allows the attacker to overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures that govern program execution flow. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a payload that not only overflows the buffer but also carefully positions the malicious code within the overwritten memory space to ensure successful execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique under the T1059.007 sub-technique, specifically targeting application-level vulnerabilities in web services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data breaches within SAP database environments. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this buffer overflow can gain unauthorized access to the underlying system, potentially escalating privileges to execute commands with the same privileges as the web agent service. This could lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized data access, or the ability to deploy additional malware. Organizations running vulnerable versions of SAP DB web-tools face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where administrative web services are accessible from untrusted networks. The vulnerability affects database administrators who rely on web-based management interfaces for routine operations, creating a dangerous attack surface that requires immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0942 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. SAP released version 7.4.03.30 and subsequent updates that address this buffer overflow vulnerability through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize applying the official patches from SAP to eliminate the vulnerability at its source. Network-level mitigations include implementing firewall rules to restrict access to the waadmin.wa service, particularly from untrusted networks, and employing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious parameter lengths in web requests. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at multiple levels including application firewalls, web application firewalls, and server-side validation routines to prevent malformed requests from reaching the vulnerable service. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts, though these measures are secondary to proper patching. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other web services and applications within the SAP ecosystem.