CVE-2017-16349 in BPC
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable XML external entity vulnerability exists in the reporting functionality of SAP BPC. A specially crafted XML request can cause an XML external entity to be referenced, resulting in information disclosure and potential denial of service. An attacker can issue authenticated HTTP requests to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16349 represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw within SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC) systems. This weakness resides in the reporting functionality of the software, where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize XML input received through HTTP requests. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-611, which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entity reference. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious XML requests that contain external entity declarations, allowing them to reference external resources and potentially extract sensitive data from the server's file system or network resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform information disclosure attacks through XML external entity processing. When authenticated users submit specially crafted XML requests to the reporting functionality, the system processes these entities without adequate validation, leading to unauthorized data access. The flaw can also facilitate denial of service conditions by causing the application to consume excessive resources when processing malformed XML entities. This vulnerability specifically affects SAP BPC versions prior to SAP Note 2480620, making it particularly dangerous for organizations running outdated systems. The authentication requirement for exploitation means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once authenticated, they can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive business planning and financial data.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16349 extends beyond simple data leakage to encompass potential system compromise and business disruption. Organizations utilizing SAP BPC for financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting operations face significant risks as attackers could extract confidential financial information, operational data, and business intelligence. The vulnerability's potential for denial of service operations could disrupt critical business planning processes, particularly during peak financial reporting periods. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the exploitation of vulnerabilities in software applications to gain unauthorized access to systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where SAP BPC systems often contain sensitive financial data and strategic business information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16349 should prioritize immediate patch application through SAP security notes and updates. Organizations must implement proper XML input validation and sanitization measures to prevent external entity processing in the reporting functionality. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit the scope of potential attacks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous XML request patterns. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all SAP BPC installations to identify and remediate similar issues. The implementation of web application firewalls and XML parsing restrictions can provide additional protection layers. Regular security awareness training for administrators and developers is essential to prevent introduction of similar vulnerabilities in custom applications built on SAP platforms, ensuring compliance with security best practices outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.