CVE-2018-2489 in Fiori Client
Summary
by MITRE
Locally, without any permission, an arbitrary android application could delete the SSO configuration of SAP Fiori Client. SAP Fiori Client version 1.11.5 in Google Play store addresses these issues and users must update to that version.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2489 represents a critical local privilege escalation issue within the SAP Fiori Client application for android platforms. This flaw allows any malicious application installed on the same device to exploit a weakness in the application's security model and delete the single sign-on configuration data. The vulnerability exists in the SAP Fiori Client version 1.11.5 which was distributed through the Google Play store, creating a significant risk for enterprise users who rely on this mobile client for accessing SAP business applications. The issue stems from inadequate permission controls and insufficient validation mechanisms within the application's file system access routines, particularly when handling SSO configuration files that contain sensitive authentication credentials and session data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a local attack vector where a malicious application can leverage the SAP Fiori Client's insufficient access controls to manipulate or remove critical configuration files. The SSO configuration files contain essential authentication parameters that enable seamless access to enterprise SAP systems without requiring repeated user authentication. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-276 category of insecure file permissions and improper access control, specifically targeting the principle of least privilege. Attackers can exploit this weakness by installing a malicious application that has the necessary permissions to access the SAP Fiori Client's data directories and then execute deletion commands against the SSO configuration files, effectively breaking the single sign-on functionality for the affected user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data deletion, as it compromises the security posture of enterprise mobile environments and disrupts business continuity for users who depend on seamless access to SAP applications. When the SSO configuration is deleted, users must re-authenticate with their enterprise credentials, which can cause significant disruption to workflow and productivity. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that have implemented mobile device management policies relying on the SAP Fiori Client for secure enterprise application access. The compromise of SSO functionality also increases the attack surface for subsequent attacks, as users may resort to less secure authentication methods or re-authentication processes that could expose additional vulnerabilities. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK matrix under the T1059.001 subtechnique for command and script interpreter and T1078.004 subtechnique for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage existing user contexts to perform unauthorized actions on the device.
Organizations should immediately update to SAP Fiori Client version 1.11.5 or later, which includes patches addressing the insecure file permissions and access control issues. The remediation process requires comprehensive testing of the updated application in enterprise environments to ensure compatibility with existing SAP systems and mobile device management solutions. Security teams should implement monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized applications that may attempt to exploit similar vulnerabilities and establish baseline configurations for mobile device security policies. Additionally, organizations should review their mobile application deployment strategies to ensure that only trusted applications with appropriate permissions are installed on devices that access enterprise systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper application sandboxing and access control mechanisms in mobile environments, where applications must not be able to access or modify data belonging to other applications without explicit authorization.