CVE-2018-2367 in Basis
Summary
by MITRE
ABAP File Interface in, 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, allows an attacker to exploit insufficient validation of path information provided by users, thus characters representing "traverse to parent directory" are passed through to the file APIs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2020
This vulnerability exists in SAP BASIS ABAP File Interface components across multiple SAP NetWeaver versions including 7.00 through 7.02, 7.10 through 7.11, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, and 7.50 through 7.52. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-provided path information, creating a directory traversal condition. When malicious users provide path strings containing directory traversal characters such as '..' or similar constructs, these sequences are not adequately filtered or escaped before being passed to underlying file system APIs. This allows attackers to manipulate file access operations and potentially navigate outside of intended directories, gaining unauthorized access to files and directories that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in software security where applications fail to properly validate or sanitize file paths. The attack vector leverages the fundamental principle that file system APIs should never trust user input without proper sanitization, particularly when dealing with path navigation sequences. This weakness enables attackers to perform operations such as reading system files, accessing sensitive data, or potentially executing arbitrary code through file manipulation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SAP systems often contain critical business data and sensitive configurations that could be accessed through improper path traversal.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant within SAP environments, as it can enable attackers to bypass normal file access controls and potentially escalate privileges. Attackers could use this weakness to access configuration files, database credentials, system logs, or other sensitive information stored on the file system. The vulnerability affects the core file interface functionality of SAP BASIS, which is essential for system administration and data management operations. Organizations running affected SAP versions may experience unauthorized data access, potential data exfiltration, and compromised system integrity. This weakness can be exploited both by external attackers and internal malicious actors with access to SAP systems, making it particularly concerning for organizations with less robust internal security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of SAP security patches and updates released for affected versions. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization processes for all user-provided path information, particularly in file handling operations. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of SAP systems to untrusted networks. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious file access patterns and potential traversal attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other system components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both credential management and data access protection. Organizations should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions and privileged access management controls to further reduce the risk associated with this and similar vulnerabilities.