CVE-2015-7993 in HANA DB
Summary
by MITRE
The Extended Application Services (aka XS or XS Engine) in SAP HANA DB 1.00.73.00.389160 (NewDB100_REL) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors related to "HTTP Login," aka SAP Security Note 2197397.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7993 affects the Extended Application Services component within SAP HANA Database version 1.00.73.00.389160, commonly referred to as XS or XS Engine. This critical security flaw resides within the HTTP Login functionality of the system, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code remotely. The vulnerability stems from unspecified vectors within the authentication and session management mechanisms that govern how the XS Engine processes HTTP requests and handles user login operations. This particular weakness represents a fundamental failure in the system's security architecture, as it allows attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and directly invoke system resources that should remain protected from external manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted HTTP requests that leverage flaws in the XS Engine's processing of login parameters and session handling. Attackers can manipulate the HTTP Login mechanism to inject malicious payloads or commands that are then executed within the context of the SAP HANA database server. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of remote code execution flaws, which are particularly dangerous because they enable attackers to operate entirely from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication. The underlying technical issue likely involves improper input validation, inadequate sanitization of HTTP parameters, or flawed session management that allows arbitrary code to be interpreted and executed by the database engine. Such vulnerabilities are classified as CWE-74 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system, which specifically addresses "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component."
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7993 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Organizations running affected SAP HANA installations face significant risk of unauthorized data access, system manipulation, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the SAP HANA service account, which often possesses extensive database access rights and may include administrative capabilities. This creates a pathway for attackers to perform data manipulation, extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or establish persistent backdoors within the system. The implications are particularly severe for enterprise environments where SAP HANA serves as a critical data platform for business operations, financial systems, and sensitive corporate data repositories.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant SAP security patches and updates released under SAP Security Note 2197397, which specifically addresses this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to SAP HANA systems, particularly limiting HTTP access to trusted networks and IP addresses. Additional protective measures include implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns, enabling detailed logging and monitoring of authentication events, and conducting regular security assessments of SAP system configurations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," as exploitation typically involves executing commands through the affected HTTP interface. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level firewalls and web application firewalls specifically designed to protect SAP environments, as these solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting the XS Engine's HTTP Login functionality.