CVE-2015-6662 in NetWeaver Portal
Summary
by MITRE
XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver Portal 7.4 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files and possibly have other unspecified impact via crafted XML data, aka SAP Security Note 2168485.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6662 represents a critical XML external entity injection flaw within SAP NetWeaver Portal version 7.4. This weakness falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-611 which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entity reference. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to exploit the system by crafting malicious XML data that triggers unauthorized file access and potentially broader system compromise. The issue is particularly concerning as it affects a core enterprise portal platform that typically handles sensitive business data and user authentication processes. SAP NetWeaver Portal serves as a central hub for enterprise applications and information integration, making this vulnerability a significant threat to organizational security infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this XXE vulnerability occurs when the application processes XML input without proper validation or sanitization of external entity references. Attackers can construct XML payloads that reference external entities pointing to local files on the server hosting the NetWeaver Portal. This allows for arbitrary file reading capabilities, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or application source code. The vulnerability operates at the XML parsing layer where the system fails to properly restrict access to external resources during document processing. According to the SAP security note 2168485, the flaw specifically impacts the portal's XML processing capabilities and can be exploited through various input vectors including web services, file uploads, or API endpoints that accept XML formatted data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more severe attacks including privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, and data exfiltration. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access critical system files, configuration data, and potentially gain insights into the underlying infrastructure. The unspecified additional impacts mentioned in the CVE description suggest that this vulnerability could enable attackers to perform more sophisticated operations such as executing arbitrary code or accessing additional system resources. The attack surface is particularly wide as SAP NetWeaver Portal typically serves as an integration point for multiple enterprise applications, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizations relying on this platform for business operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling external entity resolution in XML parsers, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all XML processing components, and applying the relevant SAP security patches released under note 2168485. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential attack vectors, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous XML processing patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for XML external entity processing and T1078 for valid accounts exploitation, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications and ensure comprehensive protection against XML injection attacks across the organization's IT infrastructure.