CVE-2015-2073 in BussinessObjects Edge
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2021
The File RepositoRy Server (FRS) CORBA listener in SAP BussinessObjects Edge 4.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname, aka SAP Note 2018682.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2021
The File RepositoRy Server in SAP BusinessObjects Edge 4.0 presents a critical security vulnerability through its CORBA listener implementation that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the system. This flaw exists within the File RepositoRy Server component which handles file operations and is exposed through the CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and path traversal mechanisms within the file access routines, allowing malicious actors to specify full file paths and retrieve sensitive data from the underlying file system. The issue is particularly concerning as it provides unrestricted file reading capabilities, potentially exposing confidential business data, configuration files, and system resources to unauthorized access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the CORBA listener interface which processes incoming requests for file operations. Attackers can construct malicious CORBA requests containing full pathnames that bypass normal file access controls and retrieve files from any location accessible to the FRS service account. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file system operations. The flaw operates at the application layer and does not require authentication for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-23 Relative Path Traversal, both of which are categorized as high-risk security issues in the CWE top 25 list.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2073 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and business disruption. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including database connection strings, user credentials stored in configuration files, business documents, and system binaries. The vulnerability affects the entire SAP BusinessObjects Edge 4.0 platform and impacts organizations relying on this reporting and analytics solution. From an attack methodology perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 Data from Local System, where adversaries collect data from local system repositories. The impact is particularly severe for organizations that store sensitive business data within the file system structure accessible to the FRS service.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official SAP security note 2018682 patch which addresses the path traversal vulnerability in the CORBA listener. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the FRS service ports and limit exposure to trusted networks only. Access controls must be strengthened through proper authentication mechanisms and role-based access restrictions to prevent unauthorized users from reaching the vulnerable CORBA interface. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of similar path traversal issues within their SAP environments. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security updates and patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.