CVE-2018-2474 in Fiori
Summary
by MITRE
SAP Fiori 1.0 for SAP ERP HCM (Approve Leave Request, version 2) application allows an attacker to trick an authenticated user to send unintended request to the web server. This vulnerability is due to insufficient CSRF protection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2474 affects SAP Fiori 1.0 for SAP ERP HCM, specifically within the Approve Leave Request application version 2. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's cross-site request forgery protection mechanisms, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on SAP ERP HCM systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of request origins and lack of proper anti-CSRF token implementation, which allows malicious actors to exploit authenticated user sessions for unauthorized actions.
This vulnerability operates through a classic cross-site request forgery attack vector where an attacker crafts malicious requests that appear to originate from legitimate authenticated users. The flaw specifically impacts the Approve Leave Request functionality, which is a core component of human capital management processes within SAP ERP systems. When an authenticated user visits a malicious website or clicks on a compromised link, the attacker can leverage the user's existing session to submit unauthorized leave approval requests without the user's knowledge or consent. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the user and the web application, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized transactions, potentially compromising the integrity of human resource data and business processes. Attackers could approve fraudulent leave requests, manipulate employee records, or disrupt normal HR workflows that depend on accurate leave management. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The attack scenario represents a typical MITRE ATT&CK technique where adversaries exploit legitimate credentials to perform unauthorized actions within target applications, falling under the category of Credential Access and Privilege Escalation.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves implementing robust anti-CSRF token mechanisms that are generated per session and validated on every state-changing request. Additionally, organizations should ensure proper origin validation checks are implemented at the application level, and consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. SAP has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, and organizations should immediately apply these security updates while also reviewing their SAP Fiori application configurations to ensure proper CSRF protection mechanisms are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining proper session management and request validation in enterprise web applications, particularly those handling sensitive business data such as human resource information.