CVE-2006-2547 in SAP
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the sapdba command in SAP with Informix before 700, and 700 up to patch 100, allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via unknown vectors related to "insecure environment variable" handling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2547 represents a critical security flaw in SAP database administration tools that affects systems running Informix database versions prior to 700 and versions 700 through patch 100. This issue stems from insecure environment variable handling within the sapdba command, creating a pathway for local attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The unspecified nature of the exact attack vectors does not diminish the severity of the vulnerability, as it indicates potential multiple entry points that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the database administration functionality that is typically executed with elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where database administrators frequently operate with administrative rights.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how the sapdba command processes environment variables during execution, creating opportunities for environment variable manipulation that can lead to command injection attacks. When the system executes database administration commands, it may inadvertently inherit or process environment variables that have been tampered with by local users, allowing them to inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the running process. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of environment variable injection attacks and is classified as CWE-78, which specifically addresses "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command." The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and privilege separation practices within the SAP database administration tools, where the system fails to properly sanitize or validate environment variables before processing them in critical system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain full control over database systems and potentially compromise entire enterprise networks. Local users who can execute the sapdba command can leverage this vulnerability to run arbitrary code, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system modification, or even lateral movement within the network. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local access to the system, meaning that any user with access to the machine can potentially exploit this vulnerability. This makes the attack surface much larger compared to remote exploits, as it only requires physical or network access to the target system. Organizations using SAP with Informix database systems in production environments are particularly at risk, as database administrators often require elevated privileges to perform their duties, making the potential impact of this vulnerability severe.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2547 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to ensure that the vulnerability is addressed at the source. Organizations should prioritize updating their SAP Informix database installations to versions that contain the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper privilege separation and access controls can help reduce the potential impact of exploitation, ensuring that database administration commands are executed with the minimum necessary privileges. System administrators should also conduct thorough security audits to identify any instances where the sapdba command might be executed with elevated privileges, and consider implementing additional monitoring and logging to detect suspicious environment variable modifications. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-78 and its potential for command injection attacks aligns with common ATT&CK techniques for privilege escalation and execution, making it important for organizations to implement comprehensive security controls that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader exploitation patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes should be enhanced to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.