CVE-2018-2363 in Basis
Summary
by MITRE
SAP NetWeaver, SAP BASIS from 7.00 to 7.02, from 7.10 to 7.11, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, from 7.50 to 7.52, contains code that allows you to execute arbitrary program code of the user's choice. A malicious user can therefore control the behaviour of the system or can potentially escalate privileges by executing malicious code without legitimate credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2019
SAP NetWeaver and SAP BASIS versions spanning from 7.00 to 7.02, 7.10 to 7.11, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, and 7.50 to 7.52 contain a critical vulnerability that enables arbitrary code execution, representing a fundamental flaw in the system's security architecture. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of user-supplied data within the application's codebase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized code. The flaw exists in the core components of these SAP versions, making it particularly dangerous as it affects the foundational infrastructure of enterprise business applications. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which describes the execution of code in a manner that allows arbitrary code to be executed, typically through code injection techniques. This weakness directly enables attackers to manipulate the execution flow of legitimate programs and potentially gain deeper system access. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides a potential privilege escalation vector, allowing attackers to elevate their privileges within the system without requiring legitimate authentication credentials. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a particularly attractive target for advanced persistent threats. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal credentials or none at all, depending on the attack vector, which significantly reduces the barrier to successful exploitation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to manipulate system behavior, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise information. The vulnerability's presence in multiple SAP version ranges indicates a widespread issue that affects organizations using these legacy systems, creating a substantial attack surface for cybercriminals targeting enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing these affected SAP versions face significant operational risks, as the vulnerability can be exploited to gain complete control over the affected systems and potentially spread laterally within the enterprise network.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user inputs within the SAP NetWeaver and SAP BASIS components, specifically in areas where system commands or code execution pathways are processed. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed within the context of the SAP application, effectively bypassing normal security controls and access restrictions. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at a level that can directly manipulate system processes and potentially access underlying operating system resources. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting specially formatted inputs that are then processed by the vulnerable SAP components, leading to unintended code execution. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary commands, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying system configurations, or installing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that SAP systems often serve as critical infrastructure components within enterprise environments, making successful exploitation particularly damaging. The vulnerability's classification as a code execution flaw aligns with the ATT&CK framework's methodology for identifying and categorizing adversary tactics and techniques, specifically under the execution and privilege escalation domains. Organizations may find that the vulnerability allows for both local and remote exploitation depending on system configuration and network exposure, further increasing the attack surface.
Organizations affected by CVE-2018-2363 face severe operational and security implications that extend far beyond the immediate technical vulnerability. The potential for privilege escalation means that attackers can move laterally within enterprise networks, potentially accessing critical business systems and sensitive data repositories. This vulnerability directly impacts business continuity and data integrity, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to enterprise resources. The attack surface for this vulnerability includes not only the SAP systems themselves but also any systems that rely on or interact with these vulnerable components, creating cascading security risks throughout the enterprise infrastructure. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple SAP version ranges means that organizations may have multiple points of exposure, complicating remediation efforts and increasing the overall risk profile. Security teams must consider the potential for this vulnerability to be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including data exfiltration, system disruption, and persistent threat operations. The vulnerability's impact on enterprise security posture is significant, as it provides attackers with a method to bypass traditional security controls and gain unauthorized access to critical business applications. Organizations may need to implement emergency security measures while awaiting official patches, including network segmentation, access control restrictions, and enhanced monitoring of affected systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust security monitoring practices to detect and respond to exploitation attempts. The potential for this vulnerability to be weaponized by advanced threat actors makes it a critical priority for enterprise security teams to address through immediate remediation efforts and comprehensive security assessments.