CVE-2018-2387 in Internet Graphics Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the SAP internet Graphics Server, 7.20, 7.20EXT, 7.45, 7.49, 7.53, could allow a malicious user to obtain information on ports, which is not available to the user otherwise.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2387 resides within the SAP internet Graphics Server component, affecting multiple versions including 7.20, 7.20EXT, 7.45, 7.49, and 7.53. This issue represents a significant information disclosure weakness that undermines the security posture of SAP environments. The vulnerability specifically allows authenticated malicious users to access port information that would normally be restricted or unavailable to them, creating an unintended information exposure channel.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access controls within the internet Graphics Server implementation. When users authenticate to the system, they should only be granted access to resources and information relevant to their authorized permissions. However, this vulnerability enables attackers to enumerate network port information that should remain hidden from standard user access. The underlying mechanism likely involves insufficient input validation or access control checks that permit port enumeration operations beyond normal user boundaries. This weakness operates at the application layer and can be exploited through legitimate authentication channels, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages existing user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical network topology information that can be used for further exploitation. Port enumeration capabilities enable adversaries to map the network infrastructure and identify potentially vulnerable services running on the system. This information can be leveraged for subsequent attacks including port scanning, service identification, and targeted exploitation of other system components. The vulnerability essentially provides a reconnaissance tool that would otherwise be restricted to privileged administrative users, significantly lowering the barrier to advanced persistent threats. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200: Information Exposure, with potential implications for CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery and CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management.
Organizations affected by CVE-2018-2387 face increased risk of network reconnaissance and subsequent attacks that exploit the disclosed port information. The vulnerability aligns with several MITRE ATT&CK techniques including T1046: Network Service Scanning and T1083: File and Directory Discovery, as attackers can use the port information to plan more sophisticated attack vectors. The exposure of port information creates opportunities for attackers to identify services that may have their own vulnerabilities, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their comprehensive threat modeling exercises, particularly in environments where SAP internet Graphics Server components are deployed with insufficient network segmentation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation within the SAP internet Graphics Server configuration. Organizations should ensure that all affected versions receive the appropriate security patches from SAP, as these updates typically address the underlying access control issues. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the internet Graphics Server components, limiting exposure to only authorized users and systems. Additionally, monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual enumeration activities or attempts to access restricted port information. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include validation of access control mechanisms to ensure that information disclosure vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-2387 are properly addressed. The remediation process should also include reviewing and hardening authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system information that could be exploited in conjunction with this vulnerability.