CVE-2011-4707 in Netweaver
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Virus Scan Interface in SAP Netweaver allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) instname parameter to the VsiTestScan servlet and (2) name parameter to the VsiTestServlet servlet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4707 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the Virus Scan Interface component of SAP Netweaver systems. This security flaw resides in the web-based user interface that administrators and users interact with when managing virus scanning operations within the SAP environment. The vulnerability specifically affects two distinct servlet endpoints that handle user input parameters, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit the system's web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the VsiTestScan servlet and VsiTestServlet components. When the instname parameter is submitted to the VsiTestScan servlet or the name parameter is passed to the VsiTestServlet, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape these input values before incorporating them into web responses. This insufficient sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. The vulnerability manifests as persistent or reflected XSS depending on how the input data is subsequently processed and displayed within the application's user interface.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to SAP Netweaver environments as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in the browsers of authenticated users. Attackers could leverage this weakness to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or extract sensitive information from the SAP application environment. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges, access restricted functionality, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the enterprise network. The fact that these vulnerabilities exist in the virus scanning interface is particularly concerning as this component typically requires administrative access and handles sensitive security-related data.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in web application input validation and output encoding mechanisms. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for initial access through malicious web content and T1059 for command and control through browser-based execution. Organizations using SAP Netweaver systems are particularly vulnerable as the attack surface includes not only the web interface but also the underlying security infrastructure that relies on proper input handling. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it accessible to attackers anywhere on the internet. Effective mitigation strategies must include immediate input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization across all web-facing components of the SAP environment. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security assessments of web applications can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive monitoring to detect any suspicious activities that may indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.