CVE-2018-2459 in Mobile Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Users of an SAP Mobile Platform (version 3.0) Offline OData application, which uses Offline OData-supplied delta tokens (which is on by default), occasionally receive some data values of a different user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2459 affects SAP Mobile Platform version 3.0 and specifically impacts Offline OData applications that utilize delta tokens for synchronization. This security flaw represents a critical data integrity issue where users may inadvertently receive data belonging to other users within the same application environment. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of delta token mechanisms during offline data synchronization processes, creating potential data leakage scenarios that compromise user privacy and system security.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the implementation of delta token management within the Offline OData functionality of SAP Mobile Platform 3.0. Delta tokens are designed to track changes and synchronize data efficiently between mobile clients and backend systems, but in this case the system fails to properly isolate user data during the synchronization process. When delta tokens are processed, the application does not adequately validate or separate user-specific data contexts, allowing cross-contamination of information between different user sessions. This flaw operates at the data access control level and represents a violation of the principle of least privilege, where users gain access to data beyond their authorized scope. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because delta tokens are enabled by default, meaning that all affected installations are potentially at risk without explicit configuration changes.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2459 extends beyond simple data leakage to encompass broader security implications for enterprise mobile applications. Organizations using SAP Mobile Platform for business-critical applications face significant risks including unauthorized data access, potential compliance violations, and reputational damage from data exposure incidents. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can lead to insider threats or external exploitation scenarios where attackers might leverage this flaw to access sensitive user information. Mobile applications that handle personal data, financial records, or corporate confidential information are particularly vulnerable to this type of cross-user data exposure, potentially violating data protection regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or other privacy compliance frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-2459 should focus on immediate configuration changes and comprehensive security hardening measures. Organizations should disable delta token functionality in affected SAP Mobile Platform installations until proper patches are applied, though this may impact application performance and synchronization efficiency. System administrators must implement additional access controls and data validation mechanisms to prevent cross-user data contamination. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically concerning improper access control during data synchronization processes. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual data access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their mobile application security practices and consider implementing more robust data isolation techniques, potentially aligning with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 Credential Access: Credentials In Files, to prevent similar vulnerabilities in mobile application architectures. The recommended approach includes applying SAP security patches, conducting thorough vulnerability assessments, and implementing network segmentation controls to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs.