CVE-2018-2408 in Business Objects
Summary
by MITRE
Improper Session Management in SAP Business Objects, 4.0, from 4.10, from 4.20, 4.30, CMC/BI Launchpad/Fiorified BI Launchpad. In case of password change for a user, all other active sessions created using older password continues to be active.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2023
This vulnerability resides in SAP Business Objects versions 4.0 through 4.30, specifically affecting the CMC/BI Launchpad and Fiorified BI Launchpad components. The flaw represents a critical session management weakness that directly violates fundamental security principles governing user authentication and authorization. When a user changes their password, the system fails to invalidate existing sessions that were established using the previous credentials, creating a persistent security risk that allows unauthorized access to protected resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper session lifecycle management within the authentication framework. The system maintains active sessions in memory or storage without properly correlating them to current credential validity status. This design flaw enables attackers to leverage compromised or changed passwords to maintain access to sensitive business intelligence data and system functionalities. The vulnerability manifests as a session hijacking scenario where legitimate users can continue operating under old session tokens even after their passwords have been updated, effectively bypassing the intended authentication controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk exposure for organizations utilizing SAP Business Objects platforms. Attackers who have gained access to user credentials through various means such as credential stuffing, phishing, or network interception can exploit this weakness to maintain persistent access even after password changes. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized data access to potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within the business intelligence ecosystem. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and represents a critical weakness in the authentication and session management controls that are essential for maintaining data integrity and confidentiality.
The attack vector typically involves an authenticated user session that remains active after password modification, enabling continued access to business intelligence dashboards, reports, and analytical tools. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability particularly affects environments where users frequently change passwords or where password policies enforce regular credential rotation. The risk is amplified in organizations that do not implement additional security controls such as session timeout mechanisms or real-time session validation. Organizations should consider implementing automated session invalidation processes and monitoring for unusual session behavior as part of their overall security posture. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts, as it enables attackers to maintain access through compromised credentials. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected SAP Business Objects versions, implementation of robust session management policies, and deployment of monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous session behavior patterns.