CVE-2017-5371 in Adaptive Server Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Odata Server in SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) 16 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process crash) via a series of crafted requests, aka SAP Security Note 2330422.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5371 affects SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) version 16 and represents a critical denial of service flaw within the OData server component. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to trigger process crashes through carefully constructed request sequences, fundamentally compromising the availability of the database system. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the OData server implementation, which fails to properly handle malformed or maliciously crafted requests that exploit buffer handling and memory management flaws. The vulnerability specifically impacts the SAP ASE 16 product line, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this database platform for mission-critical operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers send a series of crafted OData requests to the affected SAP ASE server. These requests leverage memory corruption patterns that cause the OData server process to crash and restart, effectively denying service to legitimate users and applications. The flaw manifests in the way the server processes certain data structures and handles request parsing, where insufficient bounds checking and memory management routines allow attackers to manipulate the execution flow. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to process termination and system instability. The attack requires no authentication credentials and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for systems exposed to untrusted networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5371 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential business continuity issues and operational risks. Organizations utilizing SAP ASE 16 may experience unplanned downtime, data access interruptions, and potential cascading failures in applications dependent on the database system. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems without requiring physical access or network privileges, making it an attractive vector for malicious actors seeking to disrupt business operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service, and potentially to T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The impact is particularly severe for financial services, healthcare, and other regulated industries where database availability is critical for compliance and operational requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5371 primarily involve applying the official SAP security patch referenced in SAP Security Note 2330422, which provides the necessary code fixes to address the buffer handling and input validation flaws. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of SAP ASE servers to untrusted networks, while also considering the deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious OData request patterns. Additional protective measures include implementing request rate limiting, configuring proper firewall rules to restrict access to the OData endpoints, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in the SAP environment. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing applications and avoid unintended service disruptions. Organizations should also maintain updated incident response procedures specifically addressing denial of service vulnerabilities to minimize impact during exploitation attempts.