CVE-2018-2465 in HANA
Summary
by MITRE
SAP HANA (versions 1.0 and 2.0) Extended Application Services classic model OData parser does not sufficiently validate XML. By exploiting, an unauthorized hacker can cause the database server to crash.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2465 affects SAP HANA database systems in both version 1.0 and 2.0, specifically within the Extended Application Services classic model OData parser component. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the XML processing functionality. The affected system components operate within the SAP HANA architecture where the Extended Application Services classic model provides web application development capabilities through the OData protocol. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes malformed or specially crafted XML data through the OData parser without proper sanitization or validation checks.
The technical flaw resides in the XML parser implementation which fails to adequately validate incoming XML structures before processing them within the database server environment. This insufficient validation creates a condition where maliciously constructed XML payloads can exploit memory handling mechanisms within the OData parser, leading to abnormal program execution states. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that occurs during XML parsing operations, where the parser does not properly handle malformed XML structures or excessive data lengths within XML elements. This type of vulnerability typically maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow or CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow depending on the specific memory corruption pattern observed during exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows unauthorized remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack against SAP HANA database servers. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability causes the database server to crash and become unavailable to legitimate users, resulting in significant business disruption and potential data accessibility issues. The crash occurs because the malformed XML input triggers memory corruption that leads to process termination or system instability within the SAP HANA environment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using SAP HANA systems in production environments where database availability is critical for business operations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant SAP security patches released for this vulnerability, which typically address the XML parsing validation issues through enhanced input sanitization mechanisms. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can be configured to restrict access to OData endpoints and monitor for suspicious XML traffic patterns. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application layer and conducting regular security assessments of SAP HANA configurations will help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous XML parsing behavior. System administrators should also review and restrict user permissions to OData services and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to potentially vulnerable endpoints within the SAP HANA environment.