CVE-2014-9320 in Businessobjects Edge
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2021
SAP BusinessObjects Edge 4.1 allows remote attackers to obtain the SI_PLATFORM_SEARCH_SERVER_LOGON_TOKEN token and consequently gain SYSTEM privileges via vectors involving CORBA calls, aka SAP Note 2039905.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2021
SAP BusinessObjects Edge 4.1 contains a critical security vulnerability that enables remote attackers to escalate privileges and gain SYSTEM level access through improper handling of CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) calls. This vulnerability specifically targets the SI_PLATFORM_SEARCH_SERVER_LOGON_TOKEN authentication mechanism, which serves as a critical component in the platform's security architecture. The flaw exists in how the system processes and validates authentication tokens during CORBA communication sessions, creating an exploitable path for unauthorized users to bypass normal access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authentication token management within the CORBA infrastructure. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted CORBA requests that manipulate the token generation and validation process. The vulnerability allows for the extraction of the SI_PLATFORM_SEARCH_SERVER_LOGON_TOKEN, which when properly constructed and utilized, grants the attacker full SYSTEM privileges within the SAP BusinessObjects environment. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the entire security model of the platform.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected SAP BusinessObjects Edge system. Once exploited, an attacker can access all data, modify system configurations, create new user accounts, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the enterprise network. The vulnerability affects organizations using SAP BusinessObjects Edge 4.1 and can lead to data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network security controls may be insufficient.
Organizations should immediately implement the security patches provided in SAP Note 2039905 which addresses the CORBA token handling vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to CORBA ports and services where possible. Monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual CORBA traffic patterns and token validation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may need to leverage valid credentials to initiate the exploitation process. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other SAP components and ensure comprehensive protection against privilege escalation attacks.