CVE-2016-3640 in HANA
Summary
by MITRE
The Extended Application Services (aka XS or XS Engine) in SAP HANA DB 1.00.091.00.1418659308 allows local users to obtain sensitive password information via vectors related to passwords in Web Dispatcher trace files, aka SAP Security Note 2148905.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3640 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within SAP HANA Database's Extended Application Services component, commonly referred to as XS or XS Engine. This vulnerability specifically affects SAP HANA DB version 1.00.091.00.1418659308 and exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper handling of password information in Web Dispatcher trace files. The flaw exists within the extended application services framework that enables web-based applications to interact with the SAP HANA database system, creating a potential attack vector for local users who can exploit the insecure logging mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of Web Dispatcher trace file generation processes where password information becomes inadvertently logged and stored in plain text format. When authentication requests are processed through the XS Engine, the system fails to properly sanitize or remove password credentials from trace logging mechanisms, allowing local users to access these sensitive files and extract authentication tokens, user credentials, or other confidential information. This represents a classic case of improper output sanitization and insecure logging practices that violate fundamental security principles for credential protection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data. Local attackers who can access the Web Dispatcher trace files can obtain valid user credentials, which may then be leveraged for privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, or direct access to other systems that share the same authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the authentication infrastructure and can lead to cascading security breaches when combined with other exploitation techniques. This flaw particularly impacts organizations relying on SAP HANA for critical business operations, as it undermines the fundamental security controls designed to protect sensitive data.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application as recommended by SAP Security Note 2148905, which provides specific guidance for addressing the insecure logging practices within the XS Engine. Organizations must implement comprehensive logging hygiene practices including disabling or restricting access to trace files containing sensitive information, implementing proper output filtering mechanisms, and establishing regular monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-532 (Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File) classifications, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1070.004 (Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion) and T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) as attackers may attempt to exploit the exposed credentials for further compromise. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation within the SAP HANA environment can significantly reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of such information disclosure vulnerabilities.