CVE-2016-4551 in NetWeaver
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) SAP_BASIS and (2) SAP_ABA components 7.00 SP Level 0031 in SAP NetWeaver 2004s might allow remote attackers to spoof IP addresses written to the Security Audit Log via vectors related to the network landscape, aka SAP Security Note 2190621.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4551 affects SAP NetWeaver 2004s systems with SAP_BASIS and SAP_ABA components at SP Level 0031, representing a significant security flaw in the audit logging mechanism of enterprise SAP systems. This issue stems from improper handling of network information within the security audit log, specifically concerning IP address recording during system operations. The vulnerability exists within the network landscape configuration of SAP systems, where the security audit log generation process fails to properly validate or sanitize IP address information, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate audit trail data.
The technical flaw manifests through a network-related vector that allows remote attackers to insert forged IP addresses into the Security Audit Log entries. This occurs because the system does not adequately verify the authenticity of source IP addresses when generating audit records, enabling malicious actors to spoof their network location within system logs. The vulnerability specifically impacts the integrity of security audit trails, which are critical for compliance monitoring and forensic analysis in enterprise environments. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in audit logging mechanisms under CWE-221, where improper handling of audit data can lead to information tampering and loss of security accountability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple log manipulation, as it compromises the trustworthiness of security audit data that organizations rely upon for compliance purposes and incident response activities. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially mask their true network location, making it difficult for security teams to trace malicious activities back to their actual sources. This manipulation of audit logs directly conflicts with the principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the T1562.006 technique for "Impairing Security Tools", as it undermines the integrity of security monitoring systems. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues, particularly in environments governed by standards such as SOX, HIPAA, or PCI DSS, where audit trail integrity is mandatory.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust IP address validation mechanisms within the SAP system's audit logging processes. Organizations must ensure that audit log entries contain verified network information and implement additional monitoring controls to detect anomalies in log data. SAP released Security Note 2190621 to address this specific issue, recommending system updates and configuration changes to prevent IP address spoofing in audit logs. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based monitoring solutions that can detect inconsistencies in audit log data and establish automated alerts for suspicious log patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining secure audit logging practices and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of enterprise application components to prevent similar issues in other system areas.