CVE-2017-11458 in NetWeaver AS JAVA
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the ctcprotocol/Protocol servlet in SAP NetWeaver AS JAVA 7.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the sessionID parameter, aka SAP Security Note 2406783.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11458 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within SAP NetWeaver Application Server Java version 7.3, specifically affecting the ctcprotocol/Protocol servlet component. This vulnerability resides in the server-side web application logic where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being processed and returned to web clients. The flaw manifests through the sessionID parameter which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. This particular vulnerability was catalogued under SAP Security Note 2406783, indicating its classification within SAP's security advisory framework.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the servlet's processing logic. When the sessionID parameter is submitted to the ctcprotocol/Protocol servlet, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input data before incorporating it into the HTTP response sent back to the client browser. This omission creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that executes within the context of other users' sessions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web presentation logic rather than underlying system components, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browser interactions without requiring special privileges or access to the server infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, and manipulate application functionality. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious scripts in the browser context of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete account compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive business data. The vulnerability affects the entire SAP NetWeaver AS JAVA 7.3 environment, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this platform for enterprise application delivery. Given that session identifiers are typically critical components in maintaining user authentication states, exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to confidential business applications and data repositories.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies addressing both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves applying the official SAP security patch referenced in SAP Security Note 2406783, which provides the necessary code updates to properly sanitize input parameters and implement appropriate output encoding. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities within other application components, as this flaw may indicate broader input validation weaknesses. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to severe security consequences. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1566 for social engineering attacks that leverage web-based exploitation methods.