CVE-2016-2387 in NetWeaver
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Java Proxy Runtime ProxyServer servlet in SAP NetWeaver 7.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, aka SAP Security Note 2220571.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2387 affects SAP NetWeaver 7.4 through its Java Proxy Runtime ProxyServer servlet component, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions. This vulnerability resides within the proxy server functionality that handles web requests and responses, creating an attack surface where malicious input can be processed and subsequently rendered in user browsers without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the ProxyServer servlet's handling of user-supplied data. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts or HTML content that gets executed when legitimate users view the affected web pages. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Java Proxy Runtime environment, which serves as a middleware component for processing web requests between client applications and backend SAP systems, making it a critical point of entry for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions or steal sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the SAP environment. When exploited, the XSS flaw allows attackers to inject malicious code that can capture user credentials, modify web page content, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's presence in the proxy server component means that attacks can potentially affect multiple applications and services that rely on the SAP NetWeaver infrastructure for communication and data processing.
Organizations utilizing SAP NetWeaver 7.4 systems face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges to gain access to sensitive corporate data and system resources. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the proxy server functionality that is typically used for legitimate business operations, making the malicious activity harder to detect and distinguish from normal system behavior. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a fundamental web application security flaw, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks. The security implications necessitate immediate remediation through official SAP security patches, input validation improvements, and enhanced monitoring of proxy server activities to prevent exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include applying the official SAP security note 2220571 patch, implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their SAP environments to identify similar vulnerabilities in related components and establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous proxy server activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and highlights the need for continuous security testing and patch management processes to protect enterprise systems from evolving attack vectors.