CVE-2016-9832 in ACE Software for SAP Security
Summary
by MITRE
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) ACE-ABAP 8.10.304 for SAP Security allows remote authenticated users to conduct ABAP injection attacks and execute arbitrary code via (1) SAPGUI or (2) Internet Communication Framework (ICF) over HTTP or HTTPS, as demonstrated by WEBGUI or Report.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9832 represents a critical security flaw in PricewaterhouseCoopers ACE-ABAP 8.10.304 for SAP systems, specifically targeting the ABAP injection mechanism that enables unauthorized code execution. This vulnerability exists within the application's handling of user input through two primary communication channels: SAPGUI and the Internet Communication Framework (ICF) which operates over HTTP or HTTPS protocols. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious ABAP code directly into the system, bypassing normal security controls and potentially gaining complete administrative access to the underlying SAP environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the ACE-ABAP framework's processing of user-supplied data. When users interact with the system through SAPGUI or ICF interfaces, the application fails to properly filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable ABAP commands. This injection occurs at the application layer where user input is directly incorporated into ABAP execution contexts without sufficient security controls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the legitimate communication pathways of the SAP ecosystem, making detection more challenging and allowing attackers to exploit the system using normal operational procedures.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9832 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. An attacker with valid credentials can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access sensitive financial and operational data, modify business processes, and potentially disrupt critical business operations. The attack vector through WEBGUI or Report interfaces means that even seemingly benign user interactions could serve as entry points for malicious activity. Organizations running affected SAP systems face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations that could result in substantial financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the ACE-ABAP software to the latest secure versions provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers, as well as implementing network-level controls to restrict access to SAPGUI and ICF interfaces. Organizations should enforce strict input validation at all application entry points and implement robust monitoring of user activities for suspicious ABAP command execution patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94 which describes improper control of generation of code, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for execution through ABAP scripts. Additional protective measures include implementing least privilege access controls, regular security assessments of SAP environments, and establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to address SAP-based injection attacks. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for unusual communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.