CVE-2005-1691 in SAP
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Internet Graphics Server in SAP before 6.40 Patch 11 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ".." sequences in an HTTP GET request.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1691 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within SAP's Internet Graphics Server component, which was present in versions prior to 6.40 Patch 11. This weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system by exploiting insufficient input validation in HTTP GET requests. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server processes directory traversal sequences using the ".." notation, allowing unauthorized access to files outside the intended web root directory. This type of flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The Internet Graphics Server component serves as a web server interface for SAP applications, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web server vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious HTTP GET requests containing directory traversal sequences that bypass the server's file access controls. By appending ".." sequences to file paths in the request parameters, attackers can navigate up the directory hierarchy and access files that should normally be restricted to authorized users only. This includes system configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive data that may be stored outside of the web-accessible directories. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input, specifically the failure to properly validate and filter directory traversal sequences before processing file requests. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract confidential information, potentially leading to further compromise of the SAP environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1691 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the SAP ecosystem. Successful exploitation allows attackers to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially database connection details that could facilitate privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using SAP systems that have not applied the necessary security patches, leaving them exposed to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise. Given that SAP systems often contain critical business data and are frequently targeted by cybercriminals, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise security. The attack vector requires no special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the vulnerable server.
Organizations affected by CVE-2005-1691 should immediately apply SAP Security Patch 11 for SAP 6.40 to remediate the vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including network segmentation, firewall rules to restrict access to the Internet Graphics Server, and regular monitoring of web server logs for suspicious directory traversal attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patch to ensure it does not disrupt existing SAP functionalities. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in their SAP environments and implement proper input validation controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving path traversal and credential access, with potential for privilege escalation and lateral movement once initial access is achieved. Regular security awareness training for system administrators and implementation of automated vulnerability scanning tools can help prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.