CVE-2014-4011 in Capacity Leveling
Summary
by MITRE
SAP Capacity Leveling has hardcoded credentials, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2018
SAP Capacity Leveling represents a critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4011, where hardcoded credentials exist within the system architecture. This flaw falls under the category of weak credential management and insecure configuration practices that significantly compromise system security. The vulnerability specifically affects SAP Capacity Leveling functionality, which is part of the broader SAP supply chain and capacity planning solutions designed to optimize production scheduling and resource allocation. The presence of hardcoded credentials within the application creates a persistent security risk that remains unchanged regardless of system updates or security patches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the inclusion of default usernames and passwords directly within the application code or configuration files, making them easily discoverable through reverse engineering or code analysis. These hardcoded credentials typically remain static across system deployments and are not subject to standard authentication controls or password policies. Attackers can exploit this weakness by leveraging the predictable authentication credentials to gain unauthorized access to the SAP Capacity Leveling system, potentially escalating privileges to administrative levels. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack surfaces may be affected, including network-based access points, web interfaces, or direct system connections.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations utilizing SAP Capacity Leveling systems, particularly those in manufacturing and supply chain management sectors. The exposure of hardcoded credentials enables attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to critical capacity planning data, production schedules, and resource allocation information. This access can be leveraged to manipulate production schedules, disrupt operations, or extract sensitive business intelligence. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially allowing attackers to modify system configurations, corrupt data, or establish persistent access points within the organization's network infrastructure. The attack surface is further expanded due to the nature of SAP systems, which often integrate with other enterprise applications and databases, creating potential for lateral movement and extended compromise.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including the identification and removal of hardcoded credentials from all SAP Capacity Leveling installations, followed by the implementation of proper credential management practices. The recommended mitigations align with security frameworks such as the CWE-798 weakness category, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software applications. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials, as attackers can leverage these hardcoded credentials to establish persistent access. Security controls should include regular code reviews to identify hardcoded credentials, implementation of dynamic credential management systems, and enforcement of strict access control policies. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to ensure all SAP instances are free from similar hardcoded credential issues, particularly focusing on SAP NetWeaver and related enterprise applications. The remediation process must include updating system configurations, rotating all credentials, and implementing automated monitoring systems to detect any recurrence of hardcoded credential usage in future deployments or patches.