CVE-2014-5174 in Netweaver Business Warehouse
Summary
by MITRE
The SAP Netweaver Business Warehouse component does not properly restrict access to the functions in the BW-SYS-DB-DB4 function group, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5174 resides within the SAP Netweaver Business Warehouse component, specifically affecting the BW-SYS-DB-DB4 function group. This issue represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of SAP systems implementing Business Warehouse functionality. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly enforce authorization checks for specific database functions, creating potential pathways for unauthorized information disclosure. Such weaknesses are particularly concerning in enterprise environments where SAP systems handle sensitive business data and financial information.
The technical flaw within the BW-SYS-DB-DB4 function group stems from inadequate privilege validation mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized access to database operations. Remote authenticated users who possess legitimate credentials can exploit this weakness to bypass expected access controls and gain visibility into sensitive system functions and data. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface encompasses multiple potential exploitation methods, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as attackers can adapt their approach based on system configurations and network conditions. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to access system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and access critical business intelligence. Organizations utilizing SAP Netweaver Business Warehouse may face significant risks including data breaches, compliance violations, and financial losses due to unauthorized access to proprietary information. The remote nature of the attack vector means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to cybercriminals and aligns with tactics documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5174 should prioritize immediate implementation of SAP security patches and updates provided by the vendor. Organizations must conduct comprehensive access control reviews to ensure proper authorization settings for all database functions within the affected component. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to SAP systems, particularly those hosting Business Warehouse functionality. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar authorization flaws within the SAP ecosystem. Additionally, implementing robust monitoring solutions that detect anomalous access patterns and unauthorized database queries can help identify exploitation attempts before they result in significant data compromise. The remediation process should also include user access reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel maintain access to sensitive system functions, thereby reducing the attack surface and strengthening overall security posture.