CVE-2014-5175 in Solution Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The License Measurement servlet in SAP Solution Manager 7.1 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via unspecified vectors, related to a verb tampering attack and SAP_JTECHS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5175 resides within the License Measurement servlet of SAP Solution Manager version 7.1, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanisms protecting license measurement functionalities within the SAP ecosystem, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing this enterprise solution management platform.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves what is known as a verb tampering attack, where attackers manipulate HTTP request verbs to circumvent the intended authentication checks. The attack leverages the SAP_JTECHS component, which serves as a technology framework within SAP systems that handles various technical operations including license management functions. This particular attack vector allows unauthorized individuals to submit crafted requests that appear legitimate to the system while bypassing the required authentication layers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of request parameters within the servlet's security implementation.
The operational impact of this authentication bypass vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the capability to view, modify, or manipulate license measurement data that is critical for enterprise compliance and financial tracking. Organizations relying on SAP Solution Manager for license management could face severe consequences including unauthorized software usage, compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to inaccurate license reporting. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of license-related information, potentially exposing sensitive business data about software usage patterns and licensing compliance status.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access phases. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited by both sophisticated attackers and less experienced threat actors. Organizations using SAP Solution Manager 7.1 should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant SAP security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected servlet, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their SAP environments to identify similar vulnerabilities.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of proper authentication implementation in enterprise systems and demonstrate how seemingly minor flaws in security controls can result in significant operational and financial risks. This case underscores the necessity for regular security assessments and prompt patch management across all enterprise applications, particularly those handling sensitive business data and compliance-related information. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging mechanisms around license measurement activities to detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts effectively.