CVE-2014-9569 in Netweaver Business Client For Html
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in SAP NetWeaver Business Client (NWBC) for HTML 3.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) title or (2) roundtrips parameter, aka SAP Security Note 2051285.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2014-9569 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in SAP NetWeaver Business Client version 3.0, specifically affecting the HTML component of the application. This vulnerability resides within the parameter handling mechanisms of the NWBC system, where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The flaw manifests through two primary attack vectors involving the title and roundtrips parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through multiple entry points within the same vulnerable component. The vulnerability impacts organizations utilizing SAP NetWeaver Business Client in their enterprise environments, potentially exposing sensitive data and system integrity to unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the NWBC HTML interface. When the application processes the title or roundtrips parameters without proper validation or encoding, malicious payloads can be executed within the context of other users' sessions. This occurs because the application fails to implement proper output encoding mechanisms that would prevent malicious script execution in web browsers. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where an application fails to properly validate or encode user-controllable input before including it in dynamically generated web content. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute scripts in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9569 extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions within the SAP environment. An attacker with access to the vulnerable application can craft malicious requests containing script payloads that will execute whenever other users view the affected content. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where SAP NetWeaver Business Client is used for business-critical applications, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive business data, financial information, or confidential operational details. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it a significant concern for organizations with internet-facing SAP applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables the execution of malicious JavaScript code within user browsers.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their SAP environments from exploitation. The primary defense mechanism involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those related to the title and roundtrips parameters within the NWBC HTML interface. SAP has released Security Note 2051285 which provides specific patches and configuration recommendations to address this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, as well as deploying Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution within the application context. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other SAP components and ensure comprehensive protection of enterprise applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in preventing cross-site scripting attacks, which remain one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security issues in enterprise environments.