CVE-2018-2483 in Business Intelligence Platform
Summary
by MITRE
HTTP Verb Tampering is possible in SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform, versions 4.1 and 4.2, Central Management Console (CMC) by changing request method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2483 represents a critical HTTP verb tampering issue within SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform versions 4.1 and 4.2, specifically affecting the Central Management Console component. This security flaw allows authenticated attackers to manipulate HTTP request methods during communication with the platform's web interface, potentially enabling unauthorized access to restricted functionality and data. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of HTTP verb usage in the CMC component, which serves as the primary administrative interface for managing business intelligence platform configurations and user access controls. The impact extends beyond simple request manipulation as it can enable privilege escalation and unauthorized administrative actions within the business intelligence environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE within the CMC interface. When an attacker successfully manipulates these HTTP verbs, they can bypass intended access controls and potentially execute operations that should be restricted to privileged users. This flaw falls under the category of CWE-642, which specifically addresses "External Control of Critical State Data," as the application's behavior becomes controllable through external HTTP method manipulation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer where administrative functions are processed, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain elevated privileges within the business intelligence platform.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2483 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, privilege escalation, and unauthorized configuration changes within the business intelligence environment. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially modify user permissions, access sensitive business intelligence reports, manipulate data sources, or even compromise the entire platform through unauthorized administrative actions. The attack vector requires authentication to the CMC interface, meaning that the vulnerability can be exploited by individuals who already have valid credentials, potentially including malicious insiders or attackers who have obtained legitimate user accounts through social engineering or other means. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is not properly segmented or where credential security is insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-2483 should focus on implementing proper HTTP verb validation and enforcing strict access controls within the SAP BusinessObjects platform. Organizations should ensure that all SAP BusinessObjects components are updated to the latest available patches from SAP, specifically addressing the HTTP verb tampering vulnerability in the CMC interface. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the CMC interface to only authorized administrative users, while additional monitoring should be deployed to detect unusual HTTP verb usage patterns. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078, which covers "Valid Accounts," this vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers who have already compromised legitimate credentials, making proper account management and monitoring crucial for defense. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regularly review access controls to ensure that only necessary users have administrative privileges within the business intelligence platform.