CVE-2018-2481 in SAP_ABA
Summary
by MITRE
In some SAP standard roles, in SAP_ABA versions, 7.00 to 7.02, 7.10 to 7.11, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, 7.50, 75C to 75D, a transaction code reserved for customer is used. By implementing such transaction code a malicious user may execute unauthorized transaction functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-2481 represents a critical authorization bypass issue within SAP systems that affects multiple versions of the SAP_ABA module. This flaw exists in the standard role configurations where transaction codes designated for customer use are improperly exposed to unauthorized users. The vulnerability stems from inadequate role management and access control implementation within the SAP system architecture, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper assignment of transaction codes within SAP standard roles, specifically within the SAP_ABA module versions ranging from 7.00 to 7.02, 7.10 to 7.11, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, 7.50, and 75C to 75D. When a transaction code reserved for customer-specific functionality is accessible to regular users, it allows malicious actors to execute unauthorized transaction functionality that should only be available to privileged administrators or authorized customers. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and creates a significant attack surface for unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform potentially destructive operations within the SAP environment. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could execute transactions that modify critical business data, access sensitive financial information, or manipulate system configurations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1484 (Domain Policy Modification) when leveraged for privilege escalation. The affected SAP_ABA module is commonly used for business application processes, making the potential damage significant for organizations relying on these systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper role and authorization management within SAP systems. Organizations must conduct comprehensive role analysis to identify and remove unauthorized transaction code assignments from standard roles. SAP recommends implementing the SAP Security Optimization Service (SOS) to identify and remediate such access control issues. The vulnerability can be addressed through proper ABAP authorization checks, ensuring that transaction codes reserved for customer use are restricted to appropriate user roles. Additionally, regular security audits of SAP roles and authorizations should be conducted to prevent similar issues. The remediation process should also include disabling unused transaction codes and implementing the principle of least privilege across all SAP user roles. Organizations should also consider implementing SAP's built-in security features such as the Authorization Check for Transaction Codes and ensure proper segregation of duties between different user roles. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining proper access control configurations in enterprise ERP systems and highlights the need for continuous security monitoring and authorization reviews.