CVE-2011-5260 in NetWeaver
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in SAP/BW/DOC/METADATA in SAP NetWeaver allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2017
The CVE-2011-5260 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within SAP NetWeaver's Business Warehouse documentation and metadata components. This vulnerability exists in the SAP/BW/DOC/METADATA module, which serves as a crucial interface for accessing business intelligence and data warehouse information within SAP environments. The flaw specifically manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the page parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability impacts organizations utilizing SAP NetWeaver platforms where Business Warehouse functionality is deployed, potentially affecting thousands of enterprise systems worldwide that rely on this middleware for business intelligence operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the SAP NetWeaver documentation engine. When a user navigates to a page that accepts the page parameter without proper sanitization, an attacker can inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets executed in the victim's browser session. This occurs because the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into web responses without implementing appropriate output encoding or validation controls. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, where improper neutralization of input during web page generation creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since it targets the web interface layer rather than requiring system-level access or administrative credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that can compromise entire enterprise environments. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious sites that further exploit other system vulnerabilities. In enterprise settings where SAP NetWeaver systems handle sensitive business data, this vulnerability could lead to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or disruption of critical business intelligence operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users have elevated privileges within the SAP system, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to access restricted data or perform administrative functions. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for phishing, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through web-based interfaces.
Organizations affected by CVE-2011-5260 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and proper parameter sanitization throughout the SAP NetWeaver environment. The most effective immediate remediation involves implementing comprehensive input validation that filters or escapes special characters in the page parameter before processing user requests. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. SAP released patches addressing this vulnerability through their regular security updates, and organizations should ensure they have applied the appropriate service packs or hotfixes. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that combine multiple security controls to protect against web-based attacks targeting enterprise middleware platforms.