CVE-2016-7435 in NetWeaver
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) SCTC_REFRESH_EXPORT_TAB_COMP, (2) SCTC_REFRESH_CHECK_ENV, and (3) SCTC_TMS_MAINTAIN_ALOG functions in the SCTC subpackage in SAP Netweaver 7.40 SP 12 allow remote authenticated users with certain permissions to execute arbitrary commands via vectors involving a CALL 'SYSTEM' statement, aka SAP Security Note 2260344.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7435 represents a critical command injection flaw within SAP Netweaver 7.40 SP 12, specifically affecting three functions within the SCTC subpackage. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that permit maliciously crafted parameters to be passed directly to system commands through CALL 'SYSTEM' statements. The vulnerability affects remote authenticated users who possess specific permissions within the SAP environment, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from outside the network perimeter. The affected functions SCTC_REFRESH_EXPORT_TAB_COMP, SCTC_REFRESH_CHECK_ENV, and SCTC_TMS_MAINTAIN_ALOG all share a common weakness in their parameter handling that allows for arbitrary command execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users with appropriate privileges pass malicious input through the vulnerable functions, which then gets interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system through the CALL 'SYSTEM' interface. This creates a direct path for attackers to execute arbitrary code on the SAP server with the privileges of the SAP application user. The vulnerability falls under CWE-78, which specifically addresses OS Command Injection, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being passed to system-level commands, creating an attack surface that allows for privilege escalation and potential system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7435 extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to gain full control over the SAP server and potentially move laterally within the network. Successful exploitation could result in data theft, system modification, or complete system compromise, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations running SAP Netweaver 7.40 SP 12 are at significant risk, especially those with exposed SAP systems or insufficient network segmentation. The vulnerability's classification as a remote authenticated attack vector means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the system, and the fact that it requires only specific permissions rather than administrative privileges makes it more accessible to a broader range of threat actors. This vulnerability directly impacts SAP's security model and can undermine the integrity of the entire SAP ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7435 should focus on immediate patching of SAP Netweaver 7.40 SP 12 to the latest security patches provided by SAP, specifically addressing the SAP Security Note 2260344. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious parameters from reaching the vulnerable functions, while also applying network segmentation and access controls to limit the permissions of users who interact with these functions. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the affected functions. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious parameter usage patterns, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other SAP components. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to alert on unusual command execution patterns, and organizations should consider implementing SAP's recommended security configurations and security notes to reduce the overall attack surface.