CVE-2018-2464 in WebDynpro Java
Summary
by MITRE
SAP WebDynpro Java, versions 7.20, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, 7.50, does not sufficiently encode user-controlled inputs, resulting in a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2020
SAP WebDynpro Java represents a comprehensive web application development framework that enables enterprises to build dynamic business applications within the SAP ecosystem. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2464 specifically affects multiple versions of this framework including 7.20, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, and 7.50, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing these platforms. This issue manifests as a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that occurs when the system fails to properly sanitize user inputs before processing and storing them within the application's database or memory structures. The flaw exists at the input validation and output encoding layer where user-supplied data is not adequately filtered to prevent malicious script execution within the application context.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization mechanisms within the WebDynpro Java framework's data handling processes. When users submit data through web forms or other input mechanisms within SAP WebDynpro applications, the system does not sufficiently encode special characters or script tags that could be embedded within the input fields. This allows malicious actors to inject JavaScript code that gets stored within the application's backend systems and subsequently executed whenever legitimate users view the affected content. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once malicious input is accepted and saved, the payload persists and can affect multiple users who access the compromised data. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting flaws as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject client-side scripts into web applications, and specifically aligns with the stored XSS variant where the malicious script is permanently stored and executed.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2464 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors for compromising enterprise environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface application interfaces, or escalate privileges within the SAP environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even users who are not actively interacting with the compromised application can be affected when they view content containing the malicious payload. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SAP WebDynpro applications often handle sensitive business data and user credentials. The vulnerability can be exploited through various means including direct web application interaction, email-based attacks, or even through compromised user accounts that can be leveraged to inject malicious content. Organizations using affected versions may face regulatory compliance issues and potential data breaches that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability through SAP's official patches and updates. The primary remediation involves applying the latest security patches provided by SAP which include enhanced input validation and output encoding mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script patterns, enhanced monitoring of user input fields, and regular security scanning of deployed applications. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all SAP WebDynpro Java installations to identify any potential bypasses or additional vulnerabilities within the broader SAP ecosystem. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in development environments before deployment to production systems to ensure that the security updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing business applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated input validation mechanisms and regular security training for developers who create or modify SAP WebDynpro applications to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.