CVE-2018-2439 in Internet Graphics Server
Summary
by MITRE
The SAP Internet Graphics Server (IGS), 7.20, 7.20EXT, 7.45, 7.49, 7.53, has insufficient request validation (for example, where the request is validated for authenticity and validity) and under certain conditions, will process invalid requests. Several areas of the SAP Internet Graphics Server (IGS) did not require sufficient input validation. Namely, the SAP Internet Graphics Server (IGS) HTTP and RFC listener, SAP Internet Graphics Server (IGS) portwatcher when registering a portwatcher to the multiplexer and the SAP Internet Graphics Server (IGS) multiplexer had insufficient input validation and thus allowing a malformed data packet to cause a crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2439 affects the SAP Internet Graphics Server (IGS) across multiple versions including 7.20, 7.20EXT, 7.45, 7.49, and 7.53. This issue stems from insufficient request validation mechanisms within the IGS components, specifically impacting the HTTP and RFC listener functionality, portwatcher registration processes, and multiplexer operations. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the input validation framework that allows malicious actors to exploit malformed data packets to disrupt system operations.
The technical flaw manifests through inadequate input validation across several key components of the SAP IGS architecture. The HTTP and RFC listeners fail to properly authenticate and validate incoming requests, while the portwatcher component lacks sufficient validation when registering with the multiplexer system. Additionally, the multiplexer itself contains validation gaps that permit malformed data packets to be processed without proper sanitization. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious inputs to bypass validation checks and potentially cause system instability or compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. When malformed data packets are processed through the vulnerable components, they can cause the affected systems to crash or become unresponsive, leading to denial of service conditions that can severely impact business operations. The vulnerability affects core communication pathways within SAP environments, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where IGS serves as a critical component for graphics rendering and data visualization services. Attackers could leverage this weakness to perform sustained denial of service attacks against SAP systems, potentially disrupting critical business processes that depend on IGS functionality.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant SAP security patches and updates that address the input validation gaps in the affected IGS components. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of vulnerable IGS instances to untrusted networks. Regular monitoring and logging of IGS communications should be implemented to detect anomalous patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining robust input validation mechanisms across all system components, particularly those handling external communications and data processing. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify malformed packet patterns that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. This issue reinforces the necessity of adhering to secure coding practices and comprehensive security testing as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.
The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK framework would fall within the T1499 category of "Domain Generation Algorithms" and potentially T1071 for application layer protocols, as it affects communication protocols and data handling within SAP applications. The lack of proper input validation creates an attack surface that can be exploited for both reconnaissance and exploitation phases of cyber attacks, making it a significant concern for organizations maintaining SAP environments. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect and alert on the presence of vulnerable IGS versions to prevent exploitation attempts.