CVE-2014-1960 in Netweaver Solution Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The Solution Manager in SAP NetWeaver does not properly restrict access, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1960 resides within the Solution Manager component of SAP NetWeaver, a comprehensive enterprise application platform that serves as a central hub for managing SAP systems. This flaw represents a critical access control weakness that fundamentally undermines the security architecture of the platform by failing to properly enforce restrictions on sensitive information access. The vulnerability affects the Solution Manager's ability to maintain proper authentication and authorization boundaries, creating potential entry points for malicious actors seeking to extract confidential data from enterprise environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the Solution Manager's information disclosure pathways. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve crafted requests or manipulated session parameters to bypass the intended security controls. The flaw operates at the application layer where proper access restrictions should prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive system information, configuration data, or administrative functions. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checking that allows privilege escalation or information leakage scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1960 extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gather critical system intelligence that facilitates further exploitation attempts. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially access system configurations, user credentials, database schemas, or other sensitive operational data that would otherwise remain protected. This information can then be leveraged for advanced persistent threat campaigns, lateral movement within the network, or targeted attacks against other system components. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network boundaries may be less strictly controlled.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant SAP security patches, strengthening access controls through proper authentication mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their Solution Manager implementations. Network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1087 for account discovery and T1005 for data from local system. Regular security audits and adherence to SAP's security recommendations are essential for maintaining protection against similar access control weaknesses that could compromise enterprise information systems.