CVE-2013-6868 in Adaptive Server Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
SAP Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) 15.0.3 before 15.0.3 ESD#4.3, 15.5 before 15.5 ESD#5.3, and 15.7 before 15.7 SP50 or 15.7 SP100 allows local users to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2017
SAP Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise represents a critical database management system widely deployed in enterprise environments, making vulnerabilities within this platform particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective. The identified vulnerability CVE-2013-6868 affects multiple versions of ASE including 15.0.3, 15.5, and 15.7, specifically before their respective patch releases. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, where local attackers can potentially access sensitive data through unspecified vectors that were not fully detailed in the initial CVE description. The vulnerability impacts database administrators and system operators who may be running these unpatched versions, creating potential exposure points for critical business data and system information.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient access controls or improper privilege management within the ASE database engine, allowing local users to bypass normal security mechanisms and extract confidential information from the system. This could include database credentials, configuration details, system logs, or other sensitive metadata that would normally be restricted to authorized administrative users. The unspecified nature of the vectors suggests that the vulnerability may involve multiple attack paths including but not limited to improper privilege escalation, insecure file handling, or flawed authentication mechanisms within the database server process. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a significant weakness in the principle of least privilege that should be maintained within database systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the compromised data could enable attackers to gain deeper insights into the database infrastructure, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks. Local access to sensitive information may allow attackers to identify database schemas, user account details, or system configurations that could facilitate further exploitation attempts. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same system or where local access privileges are not properly restricted. The risk is amplified in enterprise settings where ASE databases often contain highly sensitive corporate data, financial records, and personal information subject to regulatory compliance requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS standards.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the relevant security patches released by SAP for ASE versions 15.0.3 ESD#4.3, 15.5 ESD#5.3, and 15.7 SP50 or SP100, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the information disclosure vulnerability. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected ASE versions and prioritize patching efforts based on risk assessment. Additional mitigations include implementing strict access controls, monitoring local user activities, and ensuring that database server processes run with minimal required privileges. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, emphasizing the need for proper system hardening and access control measures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular security audits to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in enterprise database systems.