CVE-2008-2123 in Internet Transaction Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WGate in SAP Internet Transaction Server (ITS) 6.20 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) a "<>" sequence in the ~service parameter to wgate.dll, or (2) Javascript splicing in the query string, a different vector than CVE-2006-5114.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2123 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within SAP Internet Transaction Server (ITS) version 6.20, specifically affecting the WGate component. This security weakness resides in the server's handling of user input parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the wgate.dll module which serves as a gateway for processing web requests in the SAP ITS environment, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web application security gaps.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that leverage improper input validation mechanisms within the SAP ITS framework. The first vector involves injecting a "<>" sequence directly into the ~service parameter of the wgate.dll module, while the second vector utilizes javascript splicing techniques within the query string parameters. Both methods bypass the application's sanitization controls and allow attackers to inject malicious script code that gets executed when legitimate users view the affected web pages. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic XSS flaw where user-supplied data is inadequately escaped or validated before being rendered in web responses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, manipulate data, and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive business applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that SAP ITS serves as a critical middleware component for enterprise web transactions, meaning that successful exploitation could compromise entire business processes and data integrity. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to create persistent backdoors, redirect users to malicious sites, or extract confidential information from authenticated sessions, all while remaining undetected within the normal application flow.
Organizations affected by CVE-2008-2123 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, proper output encoding, and web application firewall rules to prevent the injection of malicious scripts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a fundamental web application security weakness requiring comprehensive input sanitization. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the initial access and persistence phases of the kill chain, as described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, where attackers establish footholds through web application exploitation before escalating privileges or moving laterally within networks. The recommended remediation strategy includes applying SAP security patches, implementing proper parameter validation, and conducting thorough security testing of all web application components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions.