CVE-2016-5845 in SAPCAR
Summary
by MITRE
SAP SAPCAR does not check the return value of file operations when extracting files, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (program crash) via an invalid file name in an archive file, aka SAP Security Note 2312905.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
SAPCAR is a utility distributed by SAP for extracting and compressing archive files, commonly used in SAP system installations and updates. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5845 stems from insufficient error handling within the file extraction process, specifically concerning the return values of file operations. This flaw manifests when SAPCAR processes archive files containing invalid filenames, leading to program termination and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability represents a classic example of inadequate input validation and error handling, where the application fails to properly validate file operations before proceeding with subsequent processing steps.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the software's failure to verify the success of file system operations during the extraction phase. When SAPCAR encounters an archive file with malformed or invalid filenames, the underlying file operations return error codes that are not properly checked or handled by the application. This lack of proper error validation causes the program to continue execution in an inconsistent state, ultimately resulting in a crash or termination. The vulnerability specifically affects the file extraction functionality of SAPCAR, which is widely used across SAP environments for managing system updates, patches, and installations, making it a critical concern for enterprise systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to SAP system availability and business continuity. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious archive files containing invalid filenames, which when processed by SAPCAR, will trigger the denial of service condition. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it affects critical SAP system maintenance operations, potentially preventing legitimate system updates and patches from being applied. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-704, which describes insufficient error handling, and represents a direct threat to the availability and reliability of SAP environments that depend on proper file extraction capabilities.
The exploitation of CVE-2016-5845 requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through simple archive file manipulation. Attackers need only create archive files with malformed filenames that will cause SAPCAR to fail during extraction, leading to system crashes and denial of service conditions. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with limited expertise. The vulnerability affects multiple SAP products and versions where SAPCAR is utilized for system maintenance operations, making it a widespread concern across enterprise SAP deployments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant SAP security notes and patches, specifically SAP Security Note 2312905 which addresses this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and error handling procedures for all file processing operations, ensuring that file system operation return values are properly checked and handled. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure to untrusted archive files, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing new issues. Additionally, organizations should review their file extraction processes and implement robust error handling mechanisms that align with security best practices and industry standards for secure coding practices.