CVE-2013-7245 in ASE
Summary
by MITRE
The Backup Server component in SAP Sybase ASE 15.7 before SP51 allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions and perform database dumps by leveraging failure to validate credentials, aka SAP Security Note 1927859.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7245 affects the Backup Server component within SAP Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise version 15.7 prior to Service Pack 51. This critical security flaw resides in the authentication validation mechanism of the database backup functionality, creating a significant pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive data assets. The issue manifests when the system fails to properly validate user credentials during backup operations, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness and execute database dump procedures without proper authorization. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of enterprise database environments that rely on SAP Sybase ASE for their data management needs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient credential validation within the Backup Server component's authentication flow. When legitimate backup operations are initiated, the system should verify that the requesting user possesses appropriate privileges and valid authentication credentials before permitting access to database dump functionality. However, in affected versions of SAP Sybase ASE, this validation process is incomplete or bypassed entirely, enabling attackers to perform unauthorized backup operations. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely, making it particularly dangerous as it does not require physical access to the database server. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a classic case of weak credential validation that undermines the principle of least privilege in database security.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7245 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as database dumps contain complete copies of organizational data including sensitive customer information, financial records, and proprietary business data. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can extract entire database contents without detection, potentially leading to data breaches, intellectual property theft, and regulatory compliance violations. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the network, making this vulnerability particularly attractive for automated attack campaigns. Organizations using SAP Sybase ASE in production environments face significant risk of data loss and reputational damage if this vulnerability remains unpatched, as the backup functionality is often used for routine data protection and recovery operations.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability while planning for proper system updates. The primary recommended action is to apply SAP Security Note 1927859, which provides the necessary patch to resolve the credential validation flaw in the Backup Server component. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to database servers, particularly limiting backup server access to authorized administrative networks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual backup activities or unauthorized access attempts to database dump functions. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication for database administrative accounts and regular audit reviews of backup access logs to identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect enterprise database infrastructure against credential bypass attacks. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure continued system stability and functionality.