CVE-2018-2469 in Adaptive Server Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Under certain conditions SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE), versions 15.7 and 16.0, allows an attacker to access information which would otherwise be restricted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2020
SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise represents a critical database management system that serves as the backbone for numerous enterprise applications across various industries. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2469 specifically targets versions 15.7 and 16.0 of this database software, creating a significant security risk that could allow unauthorized information access. This flaw operates under specific conditions that must be met for exploitation to occur, making it particularly dangerous as it may remain undetected while providing attackers with unauthorized access to restricted data. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, where attackers can potentially access sensitive database information that should be protected by access controls and authorization mechanisms. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it can provide attackers with insights into database structure, user permissions, and potentially sensitive business data that could be leveraged for further attacks or financial gain.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the SAP ASE database system. When certain conditions are met, the system fails to properly enforce authorization checks that should prevent unauthorized users from accessing restricted database objects or information. This flaw likely exists in the database's permission checking routines or in how the system handles specific query execution paths that could bypass normal access controls. The conditions under which this vulnerability operates may involve specific user roles, database configurations, or particular query patterns that trigger the flawed authorization logic. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control, making it a direct descendant of well-known security weaknesses in software authorization systems. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway through the database's security architecture, allowing unauthorized access to information that should remain protected.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2469 extends far beyond immediate data exposure, as it represents a fundamental breach in database security that could enable attackers to gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations utilizing SAP ASE versions 15.7 and 16.0 face potential exposure of sensitive customer data, financial records, intellectual property, and business-critical information that could be accessed through this vulnerability. The risk is particularly severe for enterprises in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and government sectors where data protection is paramount. Attackers could use the information obtained to craft more targeted attacks, perform reconnaissance for privilege escalation, or even conduct data exfiltration operations that could result in significant financial losses and regulatory penalties. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that SAP ASE is commonly used in mission-critical applications, meaning that compromise of this system could affect multiple business processes and potentially lead to system-wide outages or data corruption.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations that include applying the official SAP security patches released for this vulnerability, which address the underlying access control flaws in the database system. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be strengthened to limit access to SAP ASE servers to only authorized personnel and systems. Regular monitoring of database access logs and implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any unauthorized access or unusual database activity that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure system stability and compatibility with existing applications. Security teams should also review and update their access control policies to ensure that least privilege principles are properly enforced, and that database user accounts are regularly audited for appropriate permissions. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper access control configurations in enterprise database environments.