CVE-2017-9843 in NetWeaver AS ABAP
Summary
by MITRE
SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP 7.40 allows remote authenticated users with certain privileges to cause a denial of service (process crash) via vectors involving disp+work.exe, aka SAP Security Note 2406841.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2019
SAP NetWeaver Application Server ABAP version 7.40 contains a critical vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers with specific privileges to trigger a denial of service condition through manipulation of disp+work.exe processes. This vulnerability represents a significant security concern for organizations relying on SAP NetWeaver infrastructure, as it can disrupt critical business operations and potentially serve as a precursor to more severe attacks. The flaw specifically affects the dispatcher and work process components that manage system resource allocation and task execution within the SAP environment, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise applications where system stability is paramount.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain input parameters within the disp+work.exe executables, which are fundamental components responsible for process scheduling and resource management in SAP systems. When authenticated users with appropriate privileges submit maliciously crafted requests or parameters, the system fails to properly validate these inputs, leading to process termination and subsequent system instability. This behavior aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a common weakness that can lead to various security issues including denial of service conditions. The vulnerability operates at the system-level process management layer, making it particularly impactful as it affects core SAP functionality rather than application-specific features.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9843 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can compromise the availability of critical business applications that depend on SAP NetWeaver infrastructure. Organizations may experience unplanned downtime, reduced productivity, and potential data processing delays that can cascade through interconnected business processes. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit it from outside the organization's network perimeter, potentially targeting exposed SAP systems or those accessible through VPN connections. This characteristic places the vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources and disrupt normal operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official SAP security note 2406841 patches, which contain the necessary code modifications to prevent the improper input handling that leads to process crashes. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit who can authenticate to SAP systems, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual process termination patterns or abnormal resource consumption that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other SAP components or related systems, as this vulnerability may indicate broader architectural issues that require comprehensive security hardening. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both known and emerging threats in enterprise SAP environments.