CVE-2017-6950 in SAP GUI
Summary
by MITRE
SAP GUI 7.2 through 7.5 allows remote attackers to bypass intended security policy restrictions and execute arbitrary code via a crafted ABAP code, aka SAP Security Note 2407616.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2022
SAP GUI represents a critical client-side application interface used extensively across enterprise environments for accessing SAP systems, making vulnerabilities within this component particularly dangerous from a cybersecurity perspective. The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-6950 specifically affects SAP GUI versions 7.2 through 7.5, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to circumvent established security controls. This vulnerability manifests as a privilege escalation issue where remote attackers can bypass intended security policy restrictions, effectively undermining the access control mechanisms that protect enterprise SAP environments. The flaw enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, representing a severe compromise of system integrity and confidentiality.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability involves the processing of crafted ABAP code within the SAP GUI environment. ABAP serves as SAP's proprietary programming language for developing applications within the SAP ecosystem, and when improperly validated or sanitized within the GUI client, it creates opportunities for code injection attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization procedures within the ABAP interpreter component of SAP GUI, allowing attackers to craft malicious ABAP code sequences that can bypass the normal execution restrictions. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed SAP GUI installations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes weaknesses in the code that allow for the execution of arbitrary code or commands, and represents a classic example of an insecure deserialization vulnerability within enterprise application environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data and systems. Organizations utilizing affected SAP GUI versions face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from outside the corporate network, eliminating the need for physical access or internal network presence. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where SAP systems are critical for business operations, potentially leading to substantial financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. The attack vector demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all enterprise applications, especially those with broad network exposure and critical business functions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the official SAP security note 2407616 patch, which provides the necessary code fixes to address the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of SAP GUI installations, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual ABAP code execution patterns. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and implement proper input validation controls. The remediation process must also include user education regarding the risks of executing untrusted code and the importance of maintaining updated software versions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code, with potential for lateral movement once initial access is achieved. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized ABAP code execution and establish robust incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining comprehensive software update processes and the need for continuous security monitoring within enterprise SAP environments.