CVE-2018-2440 in SAP Dynamic Authorization Management
Summary
by MITRE
Under certain circumstances SAP Dynamic Authorization Management (DAM) by NextLabs (Java Policy Controller versions 7.7 and 8.5) exposes sensitive information in the application logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2020
SAP Dynamic Authorization Management DAM by NextLabs represents a critical security control mechanism that manages access permissions and authorization policies within enterprise environments. The Java Policy Controller component serves as the core decision-making engine for authorization enforcement, processing policy decisions and maintaining detailed audit trails. When vulnerabilities exist within this component, they can compromise the integrity of the entire authorization framework. This particular vulnerability affects versions 7.7 and 8.5 of the Java Policy Controller, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple release lines that organizations have deployed in their production environments.
The technical flaw manifests as improper logging practices that result in sensitive information being written to application logs without adequate sanitization or access controls. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output filtering mechanisms within the logging subsystem. When the policy controller processes authorization requests, it may inadvertently capture and store confidential data such as user credentials, session tokens, policy details, or other sensitive authorization information within log files. The vulnerability specifically affects the logging functionality rather than the core authorization engine itself, making it particularly dangerous as it can expose information that should remain confidential even when the authorization decisions are properly enforced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive authorization data. Adversaries who can access application logs may extract session identifiers, user authentication tokens, or detailed policy configurations that could be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks. This exposure can be particularly devastating in environments where DAM is used to enforce strict access controls, as the leaked information may provide attackers with insights into the authorization structure and potentially enable them to craft more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses information exposure through logging, and represents a significant gap in the defense-in-depth strategy of organizations relying on DAM for access control.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enhanced log file access controls, regular log auditing procedures, and configuration reviews to ensure sensitive data is not being logged. The recommended approach involves implementing proper log sanitization processes that filter out sensitive information before it reaches persistent storage. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing centralized log management solutions with appropriate access controls and monitoring capabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through information discovery, as attackers can use the exposed information to better understand and target authorization systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar logging issues across other components within the SAP ecosystem.